Public input is sought on potential impacts from the proposed development of seven buildings totaling 2.6 million square feet for a warehousing, distribution and freight movement facility in the vicinity of 6719 134th Avenue East (Knutson Farms). This development is in Pierce County directly adjacent to Puyallup’s city limits, and all vehicle access to the proposed development will occur from city streets.
Pierce County has subdivision permitting responsibility for the proposed development, but the City of Puyallup has discrete permitting jurisdiction, for example with regard to road access. The City of Puyallup has determined that this development is likely to result in significant adverse environmental impacts. The City has therefore assumed environmental review jurisdiction as allowed pursuant to state law, and has determined that review of the project requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The City is now in the process of identifying probable adverse environmental impacts which should be studied in the EIS for the purpose of determining potential mitigation measures. This process, called “scoping,” is undertaken to determine the scope of the EIS that will be prepared.
Members of the public are encouraged to review the development proposal (click here) and provide comments relevant to the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement. Comments are welcome on alternatives, mitigation measures, and probable significant adverse impacts to the environment.
Please note that the term “environment” is broad under the State’s Environmental Protection Act and refers to both natural and built environment. In addition to critical areas, elements of the environment include air quality and odor, water runoff, erosion, plant and wildlife habitat, noise, scenic resources, light and glare, aesthetics, historic and cultural preservation, and parks or other recreational facilities. The full list of environmental elements can be viewed in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 197-11-444.
The City has initially identified the following areas for specific review in the EIS:
- Transportation, particularly transportation systems and traffic
- Public Services and Utilities, including stormwater, sanitary sewer, and fire flow and fire protection services
- Water, Plants and Animals
- Cultural resources
- Noise
- Air quality, including greenhouse gases
- Land and Shoreline Use, including aesthetics, recreation, agricultural crops, and the project’s relationship to existing land use plans
- Alternatives
- Mitigation measures
The City will consider all public input in determining which environmental elements will be analyzed in the Environmental Impact Statement for this project. The elements selected for analysis will be those which are expected to have significant impacts. An online open house will be available throughout the 30-day comment period, offering a flexible opportunity for interested parties to learn more about the anticipated impacts of the project and submit comments.
Online: Visit knutsonfarmseis.org to submit a comment online
Email: Send comments via email to comment@knutsonfarmseis.org
Voicemail: Call (253) 260-4574 to leave a recorded comment
Following the scoping process, a draft EIS will be prepared focusing on the elements of the environment, the aspects of the project, and its impacts. The City anticipates issuing the draft EIS in the summer of 2021. Additional public review and comment opportunities will occur at that time.
The period for public comment on this scoping phase starts Tuesday, November 17, 2020 and will end at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020.
Staff contacts:
Jeff Wilson, Director, Department of Development and Permitting Services (DPS)
(253) 841.5502 or jwilson@puyallupwa.gov
Chris Beale, Senior Planner, Department of Development and Permitting Services (DPS)
(253) 841.5418 or cbeale@puyallupwa.gov