Determination of Significance and Request for Comments on Scope of EIS 9-1-2020DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE (DS)
AND REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON SCOPE OF EIS
Project Name: Downtown and County Government Campus Subarea Plan
Proponent: City of Port Orchard
Lead Agency': City of Port Orchard
Project Location: The project includes the existing Downtown and County Campus centers, as designated in the City
Comprehensive Plan, as well as other adjacent areas, for a total of approximately 329 acres. The western portion of the
project area (Waterfront and Uphill Area) is generally bordered by Sinclair Inlet on the north, the right-of-way of West
Avenue (undeveloped) on the west, Melcher Street on the south, and Harrison, Taylor, Seattle and Kitsap Streets on the
east. The eastern portion of the project area (Bethel Corridor and Mitchell Corridor) is generally bordered by Sinclair
Inlet on the north, Maple Avenue and Bethel Avenue on the west, Stockton Street, Decatur Avenue, Guy Wetzel Street,
Tracy Avenue and the South Kitsap High School on the east, and Mile Hill Road on the south. Project location and study
area maps are available for review at: https://www.cityofportorchard.us/downtown-and-county-government-campus-
subarea-plan/
Description of the Proposal: The City proposes to develop and adopt a subarea plan for the Downtown and County
Government Campus Centers, as designated in the City's Comprehensive Plan, along with adjacent areas, pursuant to
RCW 36.70A.080(2). These areas have land uses and conditions that are unique to the City, and would benefit from the
subarea planning process as they are anticipated to accommodate a share of the City's future growth. The completed
subarea plan, which will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan, will provide long-range goals and policies to form
a framework for redevelopment as well as specific goals and policies for land use, housing, environmental protection,
and transportation. Additionally, the subarea plan will address the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) regional centers
criteria to support the City's potential future designation as an Urban Growth Center.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Required: The City of Port Orchard, as the SEPA lead agency, has determined
that this proposal may have significant adverse environmental impacts on the environment. An EIS is required under
RCW 43.21C.030 (2)(c) and will be prepared. The EIS will address probable significant adverse environmental impacts of
the proposed Downtown and County Government Campus Subarea Plan.
Elements of the Environment: The lead agency has preliminarily identified the following elements for analysis in the EIS:
• Land Use/Relationship to Existing
Plans and Policies
• Population/Employment
• Housing
• Aesthetics/Visual Resources
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Public Services
This is the agency that is responsible for compliance with the procedural requirements of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for this
project.
City of Port Orchard — Downtown and County Campus Subarea Plan — EIS Scoping
Alternatives: The lead agency has preliminarily identified four alternatives that will be analyzed in the EIS. Alternatives 1
through 3 are based upon a preferred subarea configuration that combines the existing Downtown and County
Government Campus designated centers, and includes additional adjacent areas.
Alternative 1— No Action
No action would be taken to adopt new development policies. The existing Downtown and County Campus
subareas would each be retained in their present configurations; no combination or expansion of these subareas
would take place; no changes to zoning or other land use regulations would be made.
Alternative 2 — Higher Capacity Residential Focus
This alternative assumes a mostly residential development with commercial development only occurring in
standalone buildings in commercial only zones. The maximum building height and densities would be consistent
with the existing land use code but would assume greater mix of structured parking to achieve greater density
than the existing baseline development patterns. Potential zoning changes would focus on increasing residential
capacity in existing commercial only zones.
Alternative 3 — Higher Capacity Mixed -Use Focus
This alternative assumes increase in mixed -use residential, commercial retail, and office development. Some
standalone commercial development in mixed -use zones plus commercial development in commercial only
zones. The maximum building height and densities would be consistent with the existing land use code but
would assume a greater mix of structured parking to achieve greater density than the existing baseline
development patterns. Potential zoning changes would focus on increasing residential capacity in both existing
commercial and residential only zones.
Scoping: Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may
comment on alternatives, mitigation measures, probable significant adverse impacts, and permits other approvals that
may be required. Methods for presenting your comments are described below. All comments are due no later than
4:00 PM, September 4, 2020, and may be submitted:
• Via e-mail to: planning@cityofportorchard.us
• By mail to: Nick Bond, Community Development Director, City of Port Orchard, 216 Prospect Street, Port
Orchard, WA 98366
• Verbally at the EIS Public Scoping Meeting, to be held remotely by Zoom: The EIS Public Scoping meeting,
which will be a business item on the City Planning Commission's September 1 regular meeting agenda, will
provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the project and proposed actions, and to provide
input on the environmental review process.
In accordance with Governor Inslee's "Stay Home -Stay Healthy" Order, the Planning Commission meeting will be
held remotely by Zoom teleconference. Information on how to participate via internet or phone connection is
provided below:
Meeting Date/Time: September 1, 2020 6:00 pm
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85172614656
or
Dial -in (audio only): +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 851 72614656
Date: August 14, 2020 Signature: Ue.Atd
Nick Bond, AICP, Community Development Director
SEPA Responsible Official
City of Port Orchard — Downtown and County Campus Subarea Plan — EIS Scoping