NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS) & NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND MEETING
Project name: Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan Update and Planned Action Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Issuance Date: September 25, 2024
Project Proponent: City of Auburn
Lead Agency: City of Auburn, Auburn Washington
Project Location: The current City of Auburn downtown area is situated along the historic Main Street corridor adjacent to the Interurban Trail and BNSF railway. The downtown core consists primarily of mixed-use and medical office development, in addition to single family residential and manufacturing and industrial development. Sounder service to Seattle and beyond is provided via Auburn Station, and the area will soon be served by RapidRide I line service connecting downtown to Kent and Renton. The 2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan encompasses approximately 360 acres. The study area includes the existing Downtown Urban Center (DUC) boundary, but expands to the north to 10th St. NE and 8th St. NE. The BNSF/Sounder rail corridor comprises the western border of the expanded area, while the eastern border is defined by H St. NE, 4th St. NE, and E St. NE.
Description of Proposal: The proposal is a non-project action to revise the 2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan and pursue a Planned Action. The previous Auburn Downtown Plan & EIS was adopted in 2001 and has provided the framework for development of the City’s downtown for the past 20 years. The document is now reaching the end of its planning period and the city has also changed over that time. The revised 2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan is envisioned to supplement the existing plan by providing a refreshed perspective of the land use, development, and transportation options serving the downtown area.
Alternatives: This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analyzes three alternatives including a No Action Alternative and two Action Alternatives. The alternatives include ideas to be analyzed that would lead to the development of a Preferred Alternative. The three Action Alternatives are measured against the baseline assumptions in the No Action Alternative. The elements of the environment discussed in the Draft EIS include Land Use and Transportation. The alternatives are described more in detail on the project webpage found at www.speakupauburn.org/downtownplan.
2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan: The 2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan provides an updated vision for downtown that encourages more activity, housing, and economic development opportunities, and enhances livability in and around the subarea. The plan is designed to satisfy the requirements of the State’s Growth Management Act for Auburn to plan for forecasted growth and support the goals of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC’s) VISION 2050 and Transportation 2050 (T2050) regional plans. The 2024 Auburn Downtown Plan should be reviewed along with this EIS for a comprehensive understanding of probable environmental impacts. The proposed 2024 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan Update is available online at www.speakupauburn.org/downtownplan.
Planned Action: The City is also pursuing a Planned Action EIS to streamline permitting and encourage more development within the downtown subarea.
SEPA EIS Comment Period: Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the Auburn Downtown Plan and related project environmental impacts. You may comment on alternatives, probable significant adverse impacts, mitigation measures, and licenses or other approvals that may be required.
Availability of the Draft EIS and Background Materials: The Draft EIS is available online at: https://speakupauburn.org/downtownplan.
Printed copies of the Draft EIS and technical appendices are available upon request for review for no cost at Department of Community Development 1 E Main St., 2nd Floor, Auburn, WA 98002. Please note that the printed version may not be available the same day as the printed version request.
How to Submit Comments:
Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the Auburn Downtown Subarea Planned Action Draft EIS.
Comment Deadline: There is a 30-day comment period. All comments are due no later than October 24, 2024 (PST). To submit a comment, please email the project manager at the address below or attend an upcoming public meeting.
Project Manager and Agency Contact:
Alexandria Teague, AICP, Planning Services Manager
Auburn Downtown Plan & Planned Action EIS Scoping Comments
Department of Community Development
1 E Main St., 2nd Floor, Auburn, WA 98002
253-931-3003
planning@auburnwa.gov
Public meeting: An in-person public meeting will be held on October 15, 2024, starting at 6:00 PM at 25 W Main St., Council Chambers, Auburn, WA 98001. City of Auburn staff and members of the EIS Project Team will attend to hear your feedback and comments on the Draft EIS. This meeting also is being held in compliance with public meeting requirements for the Planned Action Ordinance. Attendance is not required to provide comment.
Issue Date: September 25, 2024
Comment Deadline: October 24, 2024