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Planning commission advances concurrency and traffic-impact fee code changes to council
Summary
The Lake Stevens Planning Commission voted Dec. 3 to advance proposed amendments to concurrency standards (Ch. 14.1.10) and traffic impact fee rules (Ch. 14.1.12) to the city council, with staff citing consistency with the comp plan and the Growth Management Act and a pending Transpo reanalysis of fee methodology.
The Lake Stevens Planning Commission on Dec. 3 voted to advance proposed amendments to the city’s concurrency code and traffic-impact fee chapters to the city council for final consideration.
Christy Schmidt, the city’s planning manager, told the commission the packet included a revised strikeout draft of Chapter 14.1.10 (concurrency management systems), Chapter 14.1.12 (traffic impact fees) and a SEPA exemption letter. She said staff separated the fee methodology and administrative documents so Transpo engineers could reanalyze the financial methodology, and that staff expected to return information to council after that reanalysis. “Staff’s recommendation to the planning commission this evening is recommendation of approved amendments for these 3 sections, 14 0 8, 1 10, and 1 12,” Schmidt said.
The amendments include editorial consistency (capitalizing the city name), clarified exemptions for single-family dwellings on existing lots, consolidation of authority language to the top of the section, and a note that the “fee in lieu of” definition resides in the streets and sidewalk code. Schmidt also said staff found that the proposed changes meet noticing requirements, are consistent with the comprehensive plan and the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A), and are categorically exempt from SEPA.
Commissioners asked whether Transpo’s reanalysis would conclude before year-end; Schmidt said staff hoped to have information back before the end of the year but had no firm confirmation. Commissioners expressed general support for the edits. A member of the public thanked staff for addressing prior comments and improving readability.
Commissioner Michael Dewar moved to advance the proposed amendments; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The transcript records the motion as carried and the item will go to the city council, which will take the final financial decision on the impact-fee methodology after the Transpo reanalysis.
The council-level review will include the separated fee methodology and any financial decisions tied to impact fees; staff committed to keep the planning commission informed as the city receives Transpo’s analysis.
