[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6131697,"mediaKeyId","5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0","parentId",5728524,"title","Pierce County adopts SEPA exemption increases and new cultural-resource rules amid split council votes and multiple amendments","audioSeconds",7013,"startMs",4069000,"endMs",11082000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0&start=4069&end=11082","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0/thumbnail_4069000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6131697/Pierce-County/Washington/Pierce-County-adopts-SEPA-exemption-increases-and-new-cultural-resource-rules-amid-split-council-votes-and-multiple-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131697-90f5ba8ca080c627803f5486143744fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137086&Signature=ffsfiXQ~NMFVO8S~4LWDtpHQaHA8xFXrU87Jnvzz7nmaQFKvcrny5K2T2HIK3ZWoqc85kK3nSIXpbr1PwfI57Pob5XYbtb4SpGBVSMoKm-~b1Fw8WDYpvIPMdPhY4krHWZGi4-laqQw4x20hBAmwOmnlqYc6yL96c~h3SDiDp37lG8A~mHiK0VFO7jm~EoZKKkXU6pSPsfkP-VFhON5tOa2BXK8XuDcPOHhfW1KXnJEmdhml4n1ObTjzQ-nsMGNvNW8FaxE7IzdT4CoHw7uYqhKKuCg2Hb3PQbMUic6fFcaLKnMYO2bGsXDJFm2IUc4m9tfAKPOcjjqMbsOfEqcZuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pierce County, WA","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","Pierce County\founcil members on Tuesday passed a contentious ordinance that raises State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) categorical exemption thresholds for certain residential projects and creates a new Pierce County code chapter establishing a cultural resources screening, risk assessment and mitigation process.

Why it matters: Council majority supporters said the ordinance streamlines permitting for more residential development and implements protections for cultural resources outside the SEPA checklist process; opponents warned the changes could add study costs, delay projects and put new burdens on homebuilders. The debate included nine council amendments that changed screening rules, clarified exemptions and removed obsolete language.

What the ordinance does: Erica Rhett Hunt, council staff, summarized the measure (O2025-522S) as proposing higher SEPA exemptions in the urban growth area (UGA) — for single-family developments and multifamily developments — and adopting a new Chapter 18D.60 (Cultural Resource Protection). Under the proposal, project applications that would no longer trigger SEPA review must instead go through an administrative prescreening process for cultural resources; the new code formalizes how staff screen projects using the state resource database and when projects must complete a professional risk assessment or cultural-resource survey. Rhett Hunt said tribal notification, inadvertent discovery plans and compliance with state and federal guidance are part of the proposed approach.

Key contested points and council action: During debate council members and staff negotiated multiple amendments. The council adopted several technical and substantive changes that narrowed applicability and added clarifications: amendments added dates to findings, exempted minor ground-disturbing repair and maintenance and activities that do not require permits, allowed the department to waive a required risk assessment for some shoreline projects during pre-application review, removed an unused definition for \"traditional cultural place,\" and revised curation language to require DAHP permitting where state law applies. Several other amendment attempts failed. After public testimony and discussion, the ordinance as amended passed on a 4-3 vote.

Public testimony and tribal concerns: The record shows organized participation from tribal and developer stakeholders. Brandon Raydon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer with the Puyallup Tribe, addressed the council and cataloged known sites and tribal concerns, including petroglyphs, village sites and burial locations across the county. He urged protections and argued that archaeological and cultural data are countywide and not limited to a few places.

Developers and builders also addressed the council. Aaron Holmberg of the Master Builders Association of Pierce County said the industry remains concerned about costs and said the association will watch implementation closely. Multiple builders and land developers described the real costs they had faced when cultural studies were required and asked for clearer data-sharing, predictable exemptions and operational guidance.

Implementation and process notes: The code establishes a prescreening step at pre-application or application review. Screening uses the state architectural and archaeological record system (WISAARD) and notifies tribes of results. If a parcel is adjacent to a documented cultural resource, within 500 feet of a known resource, involves ground-disturbing activity within shoreline jurisdiction, or a professional archaeologist identifies probable adverse effects, the screening may require a risk assessment and, if indicated, a cultural resource survey with field work. The county advised that existing requirements under state and federal law for inadvertent discovery (and DAHP permitting) remain in force.

Council members said changes are intended to balance housing goals and cultural protections. Council member Denson said the ordinance paired expanded exemptions with a formal cultural resources program and called it a significant step toward both building more housing and protecting cultural resources. Other members warned that the new requirements could increase permitting complexity and costs and said they wanted to watch implementation closely.

Ending: After a public hearing that included testimony from tribal representatives and local builders, the council adopted O2025-522S as amended. Council members said the department and the tribes will need to work through implementation details and the council may revisit code language after staff experience with screening and risk-assessment workloads.

(Direct quotes are attributed only to speakers shown in the article speaker list.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pierce County on Tuesday adopted an ordinance to raise SEPA categorical exemption thresholds for larger single-family and multifamily projects in the urban growth area and to establish a county cultural-resource screening and mitigation process; the ordinance passed 4-3 after nine amendments and public testimony from tribal representatives and builders.","taxTitle","Pierce County, Washington","taxId",2674,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131706,"Pierce County Council approves $12.2 million in NOFA awards for affordable rental housing outside Tacoma",710,3288000,3998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0&start=3288&end=3998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0/thumbnail_3288000.jpg","/articles/6131706/Pierce-County/Washington/Pierce-County-Council-approves-122-million-in-NOFA-awards-for-affordable-rental-housing-outside-Tacoma","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131706-e92b6dc84564cad6c3fa2f3eb76f267a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137086&Signature=PV4dnqkgjGs79yhBTMYUTZAFH0m7rzPNq-3xRpEesD33M19hUZHTWyPb~poGzzvuogOVs2R5RsTFgOreHCXNiViAJ7ococnm19k2mU5XPrvCjfBcMx2iKAju34LAL-JQ9ovzfVFHAPdz7H22h1ChJaaATxx2hVo5eD6DLmET2XlWMrqgtPODe-JPsH0SQaE2uPz76ODLCXJf4iU9xrqTrbGeqKWgp5AlgaJB999b2A19FILtIEnAmPp6ue7YzfmIfoa2DAi4~kxVb9MPWJ0sez-QvMJGIh7~WsOT5s9OxHlq4pS~DltYdYVn2H0jA65Z0OBQWWPC8GmB~~WUbM1uBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pierce County Council members voted 7-0 Tuesday to accept the executive\u000branch\u000funding recommendations from the county\repartment of Human Services and authorize the release of $12,200,000 from the county\repartment\u000fund called the Housing and Related Services Fund for affordable rental housing projects.

The approvals implement awards from the March 2025 notice of funds availability (NOFA). Mary Connolly, council staff, summarized the program and said the NOFA solicited roughly $12.2 million and that 10 eligible applications requested about $33 million; an evaluation committee recommended funding four projects for the $12.2 million available.

The nut graf: the spending implements the county\founcil
nd Executive\rirection to use revenues from a county sales-and-use tax enacted in 2023 to develop and preserve rental housing for households at varying income levels. The county
dopted an expenditure and implementation plan in March 2024 that guides how the fund is used.

Most important facts: Connolly listed the recommended awards in the motion packet. McDonald Lab Development is recommended for $7,000,000 toward Cedar Flats, a project in unincorporated Pierce County between South Hill and Frederickson that the staff packet says would include new three- and four-bedroom affordable units. The Pierce County Housing Authority is recommended for $5,000,000 to refinance and rehabilitate Chateau Rainier in the city of Fife. The Foundation for the Challenged is recommended for about $167,000 to acquire and rehabilitate three single-family houses (9 bedrooms total) in the Buckley area to operate as group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McDonald Lab Development is also recommended for about $70,000 for the Fairway at DuPont project, which the packet describes as new affordable units in DuPont.

Council members and staff emphasized process and conditions. Connolly told the council the awards were made under authority created by the ordinance commonly called the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act, adopted in 2023, and that the funding was deposited in the Housing and Related Services Fund as allowed by state law cited in the packet. Human Services staff and an application evaluation committee reviewed and prioritized proposals; the County Executive approved those recommendations before transmittal to the council. Brian Schmidt, affordable housing supervisor with Human Services, was available online for technical questions.

Council member Denson asked whether the action had a fiscal impact; Connolly answered that the money had already been allocated in the adopted 2024-25 biennial budget, so approving the resolution did not require additional appropriations and was considered de minimis. When asked whether the units would be permanently affordable, Schmidt said the properties would be subject to deed restrictions and covenants for a minimum of 50 years.

Public comment was invited at the hearing on this proposal; no members of the public testified in chambers or online. Council member Morrell said the awards addressed the need for affordable housing in unincorporated areas and thanked staff and applicants.

Ending: the resolution (R2025-184) was adopted by roll call and the council directed staff to proceed with the agreements and any necessary conditions described in the award documents.

(Quotes used only from speakers listed below and attributed.)","The council accepted the executive\u000branch\u000funding recommendations for the 2025 affordable rental NOFA, authorizing $12.2 million from the Housing and Related Services Fund to four projects serving low-income households in unincorporated Pierce County and nearby cities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131687,"Pierce County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month; local groups outline outreach and services",1136,530000,1666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0&start=530&end=1666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0/thumbnail_530000.jpg","/articles/6131687/Pierce-County/Washington/Pierce-County-proclaims-September-2025-Suicide-Prevention-and-Awareness-Month-local-groups-outline-outreach-and-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131687-c6971edd756870dbbdc77a49c60fee58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137086&Signature=dWaRkyaid-~bwEr30OoC504tmfULXh1zWo8maXm2mXu28wKwWCdiuBZ8XXJWkIA~1K2RXv7qVKHhk20CA4K3Q6Eg8GYfIgK4~QmzBdyudBXQJ1eJQV9AMOyJdQtjIkWFpmzpwt0uUDPPlMQF9rxnPJXnpn5pQLAnu9lPgen8E6-K5j74Si-7-khq~GGfgpQdgT5zp9f3sXsVRBS201Cz~YBXXlTFpD4JT~EYPFxN2xTZOo-YWp24f31NBX4ZGuzx7v7WXaExEQvPQ2vFk-UbVpGpSC6jvBt1Rn5Eazunb4RvpUT0Zik0QqoMkQCnIcBGN8nbO7tImWOwq~LKYlEKaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pierce County leaders proclaimed September 2025 as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month on Tuesday and invited local suicide-prevention organizations, health-care providers and veterans' representatives to the dais to describe local outreach and services.

Council member Denson read the proclamation into the record, which cited national Centers for Disease Control data saying suicide claimed more than 49,000 Americans in 2023 and cited a county figure that \"156 people died by suicide in Pierce County in 2023\" as printed in the proclamation text. The proclamation encouraged open, judgment-free conversations, cited the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and listed a local Out of the Darkness Walk scheduled for Sept. 27, 2025.

Speakers from local organizations described ongoing work. Thelma Brown, president of the Gig Harbor Key Peninsula Suicide Prevention Coalition, said coalition funding and training have supported youth programs including Circle of Friends clubs at Gig Harbor High School and Henderson Bay High School and that the coalition plans to expand to additional schools in the Peninsula School District.

Dr. Lucas McIntyre, identified as a medical director and child and adolescent psychiatrist affiliated with MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital and the Pierce County Behavioral Health Advisory Board, described clinical observations and local data. He told the council he and his colleagues work with adolescents after suicide attempts and said, \"In 2024, the Pierce County Medical Examiner recorded 124 deaths by suicide in our community,\" and he noted 71 of the 124 deaths used a firearm. He also described work to launch an intensive outpatient program in Lakewood planned for 2026 that will accept Medicaid patients.

Nicole Vreeland, representing the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs suicide-prevention team, emphasized veterans-specific resources and noted Pierce County is home to about 90,000 veterans. She described state and federal efforts, listed trainings the veterans office provides and noted veterans can reach the 988 lifeline and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

On local outreach, representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) described free training and community events, including the Out of the Darkness Walk and peer support and stigma-reduction efforts.

Ending: the council issued the proclamation and invited participants to speak; council members emphasized prevention, limiting access to lethal means and better outreach, and encouraged residents to use crisis resources such as 988. No formal vote was taken beyond the proclamation reading and recognition.

(Quotes are attributed to speakers included in the speaker list.)","The council and executive issued a proclamation designating September 2025 as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Tribal and nonprofit leaders, a MultiCare psychiatrist and a state veterans' suicide-prevention official spoke about local statistics, school-based programs and crisis resources including 988.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6131692,"Council authorizes Gig Harbor boundary adjustment so city can build roundabout at 56th and 8th Avenue",617,10999000,11616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0&start=10999&end=11616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5728524-6e7d080d6c9fb2788695f5efd72638b0/thumbnail_10999000.jpg","/articles/6131692/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-authorizes-Gig-Harbor-boundary-adjustment-so-city-can-build-roundabout-at-56th-and-8th-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6131692-a975ba04dbe3ba5a49f35085915e35f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137086&Signature=lKCN8OEBps7wzXgpGlOgQDWSG-QVyt79rYoa2blwRKBTjFKc2GUTML7-78~OIdjifJNSR0j0DFZjCnJZavN~zsb2hTGzkFUadBcorMdBk8Z~RkLfqDKceSihbBeAyz4d4Uq0~WFOrZv0rCsw~WBbaENa5wCxV-RYjRPtomBM8jR~MD-W-4Ar0iLehsZm~eHbxUXbd9SrBnK5i~7r-cwNI3gQy8calzqqZh3UjvSymvKA-eyZHkkoYNjsU32evH7Vq4kee67i27oI3ewO9dzFAdr-9m8J2-GhrmQbznELGbkUjrKO2EGbjKCepHJoJ7dQo1Suuaern-9PmSH2T3SIIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pierce County Council members on Tuesday approved an ordinance authorizing an interlocal agreement that adjusts the City of Gig Harbor\forporate boundary to include the full right-of-way at the intersection of 30 Eighth Avenue and 50 Sixth Street. The change is intended to let Gig Harbor deliver a roundabout and associated Americans with Disabilities Act and active-transportation improvements without a split jurisdiction at the intersection.

Erica Rhett Hunt, council staff, told the council the project budget is about $2.7 million and includes $1,640,000 in Transportation Improvement Board funding. She said engineering revealed that parts of the right-of-way needed for construction fell outside the city limits; bringing those pieces into the city by mutual interlocal agreement will streamline right-of-way acquisitions and let the city complete the work within the TIB schedule. State law allowing cities and counties to adjust corporate boundaries by mutual agreement was cited in staff materials.

Council member Dunson moved the ordinance and members supported the interlocal after staff confirmed the city and county had negotiated terms and the city had adopted a companion ordinance. Planning and Public Works staff advised the council the change has a de minimis fiscal impact for the county.

Ending: the council adopted ordinance O2025-526 by unanimous vote; the interlocal will become effective after both jurisdictions adopt the agreement and complete any conditions described in the interlocal document.

(Quotes are attributed only to speakers in the article speaker list.)","Pierce County approved an interlocal agreement to revise the City of Gig Harbor\forporate boundary to include sections of the right-of-way at a key intersection, allowing the city to deliver a $2.7 million Transportation Improvement Board-funded roundabout and related pedestrian upgrades.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pierce County adopts SEPA exemption increases and new cultural-resource rules amid split council votes and multiple amendments

Pierce County Council approves $12.2 million in NOFA awards for affordable rental housing outside Tacoma

Pierce County proclaims September 2025 Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month; local groups outline outreach and services

Council authorizes Gig Harbor boundary adjustment so city can build roundabout at 56th and 8th Avenue