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City Hall 15670 NE 85th Street • PO Box 97010 • Redmond, WA 98073-9710 Planning Commission Report To: City Council From: Planning Commission Staff Contacts: Erika Vandenbrande, Director, Planning and Community Development, [PHONE REDACTED] Steve Fischer, Development Review Manager, 425-556- Cathy Beam, AICP, Principal Planner, [PHONE REDACTED] Date: February 27, 2019 File Numbers: PR-2018-02061, LAND-2018-01272, SEPA-2018-01273 Planning Commission Recommendation: Approval Title: Shoreline Master Program Periodic Update Recommended Action: Adopt recommended amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code (RZC) shown in Exhibit A. Summary: The recommended amendments include changes to RZC 21.68, Shoreline Regulations, RZC 21.64, Critical Areas Regulations, and RZC 21.78, Definitions. These revisions address a number of changes to state law and Department of Ecology guidance on wetland regulations. Reasons the Proposal Should be Adopted: Shoreline Master Program Periodic Updates are required under state law and the schedule for these reviews is established under RCW 90.58.080(4). The recommended amendments to the RZC are included to ensure the City’s SMP: 1. Stays current with changes in state law and rules; 2. Remains consistent with other Redmond plans and policies; and 3. Is responsive to changed circumstances, new information, and improved data. ---PAGE BREAK--- Redmond Zoning Code Page 2 Planning Commission Report Shoreline Master Program Periodic Update LAND-2018-01272 Recommended Findings of Fact 1. Public Hearing and Notice a. Public Hearing Date The City of Redmond Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on January 23, 2019. The Planning Commission kept the public hearing open for written testimony through February 20, 2019. One person gave testimony during the hearing. Mr. Leonard Fuller spoke and his comments were specific to the Microsoft Refresh project, stating that with all the new jobs created, some employees would likely travel West Lake Sammamish Parkway. Mr. Fuller was concerned about the potential for additional pollution from cars reaching Lake Sammamish. A written response to Mr. Fuller was prepared by the City’s Microsoft team, a copy of which is attached Exhibit B to this report. No written testimony was received during the public hearing. b. Notice The public hearing notice was published in the Seattle Times. Public notices were posted in City Hall and at the Redmond Library. Notice was also provided by including the hearing in Planning Commission agendas and extended agendas mailed to various members of the public and various agencies. Additionally, a hearing notification was posted on the City’s web site. Lastly, the City mailed a postcard notice of hearing to all property owners within the shoreline jurisdiction. Recommended Conclusions 1. Key Issues Discussed by the Planning Commission The Planning Commission held study sessions on January 9, 2019, January 23, 2019, and February 13, 2019, to deliberate the Technical Committee’s December 20, 2018 recommended amendments. Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting are shown in Exhibits D-F. Key issues discussed by the Planning Commission were as follows: Scope of Update The recommended amendments include updates to be consistent with State law and Ecology guidance documents on wetland regulations. Planning Commissioners discussed whether or not the Update package included additional amendments beyond those dictated by state laws and rules. Staff clarified that the package incorporates recently City-adopted Wellhead and Wireless changes to ensure code consistency. Impact of Amendments Planning Commissioners briefly discussed how the amendments may impact staff from an operations perspective and how property owners might be impacted from a time and cost perspective. Staff provided an analysis which can be found in Exhibit C. Overall, only one ---PAGE BREAK--- Redmond Zoning Code Page 3 Planning Commission Report Shoreline Master Program Periodic Update LAND-2018-01272 of the 28 amendments would impact both staff and property owners from a time perspective. However, this item would benefit property owners from an economic perspective. 2. Recommended Conclusions of the Technical Committee The recommended conclusions in the Technical Committee Report (Exhibit G) should be adopted as conclusions. 3. Planning Commission Recommendation The Planning Commission unanimously voted in favor of a motion to recommend approval of amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code. Five Commissioners voted in favor and zero opposed at their February 20, 2019 meeting. List of Attachments Exhibit A: Recommended Amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code Exhibit B: City Response Letter to Mr. Leonard Fuller’s Oral Testimony Exhibit C: SMP Periodic Update Checklist with Commission Information Exhibit D: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 9, 2019 Exhibit E: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, January 23, 2019 Exhibit F: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, February 20, 2019 Exhibit G: Technical Committee Report with Exhibits Erika Vandenbrande, Planning Director Date Roy Captain, Planning Commission Chairperson Date Approved for Council Agenda John Marchione, Mayor Date