HB 1707 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Declares that proposed essential public facilities identified according to RCW 36.70A.200 may not be conditioned on the payment of a fee under this act to mitigate a specific adverse environmental impact, if an impact fee, as defined in RCW 82.02.090, could be imposed according to RCW 82.02.050 through 82.02.090 to mitigate that specific adverse environmental impact.

Provides that, in urban growth areas in which existing density and intensity is lower than the levels called for in the goals and policies of applicable comprehensive plans adopted according to chapter 36.70A RCW, in order to accommodate infill development and thereby realize the goals and policies of the comprehensive plans, the rules shall provide for categorical exemptions for higher levels of density and intensity of new development than the categorical exemption levels provided for all other areas.

Provides that in situations where all adverse environmental impacts will be mitigated below the level of significance as a result of voluntary measures by the proponent and/or regulatory requirements of development regulations adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW or other local, state, or federal laws, a determination of nonsignificance or a mitigated determination of nonsignificance is the proper threshold determination.