NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (FINAL EIS)
Project Name: Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan Update and Planned Action Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Issuance Date: January 22, 2025
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 updated 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 Street NE and 8th Street NE. The BNSF/Sounder rail corridor comprises the western border of the expanded area, while the eastern border is defined by H Street NE, 4th Street NE, and E Street NE.
Description of Proposal: The proposal is a non-project action to revise the 2001 Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan and pursue a Planned Action. The previous Auburn Downtown Plan and 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 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: The Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statement (Draft and Final EIS) analyzed three alternatives including a No Action Alternative and two development alternatives. The City selected Alternative 3 as the Preferred Alternative. 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 Downtown 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 to streamline permitting and encourage more development within the Downtown Subarea.
SEPA Draft EIS Comment Period: Agencies, affected Tribes, and members of the public were invited to comment on the Auburn Downtown Plan and Planned Action Draft EIS and related project environmental impacts. No comments were received.
Availability of the Draft EIS and the Final EIS and Background Materials: The Draft EIS and Final EIS are available online at speakupauburn.org/downtownplan.
Printed copies of the Draft EIS and Final EIS and appendix material are available upon request for review for no cost at the following locations. City of Auburn Department of Community Development, 1 E Main Street, 2nd Floor, Auburn, WA 98002
Appeal and Noticing:
This notice of availability is provided in accordance with WAC 197-11-460. Appeals shall be commenced in accordance with ACC 16.06.220 “Environmental appeals”, ACC 16.06.230 “Time limitation on appeals”, and ACC 16.06.240 “Fee to accompany notice of appeal”. The city will not take action on the proposal for 7 days following this notice.
Project Manager and Agency Contact
Alexandria Teague, AICP, Planning Services Manager
Auburn Downtown Subarea Plan and Planned Action Final EIS
Department of Community Development
1 E Main Street, 2nd Floor, Auburn, WA 98002
253-931-3003
planning@auburnwa.gov
Alexandria Teague
Issue Date: January 22, 2025