POS SEPA No. 05-07
April 15, 2005
Page 1 of 2
Notice of Availability and Request for Comments on
North Bay Master Plan Draft EIS
Date of Issuance: April 15, 2005
Proponent/applicant: Port of Seattle
Description of Proposal: The Port of Seattle is analyzing long-term development
opportunities for the “North Bay site” and envisions adopting a Master Plan in
2005. As part of its planning efforts, the Port submitted a Comprehensive Plan
Amendment application to the City of Seattle requesting amendments to the Seattle
Comprehensive Plan (2004) that would provide a broader, more flexible policy
framework than is currently allowed under existing Comprehensive Plan and zoning
designations. The Port proposes that this policy framework be accomplished via a
“North Bay Overlay” that would be applied to the Port’s 94-acre ownership at
North Bay. Other modifications to the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code
to establish the policy framework and applicable implementation tools for future
development would be required.
This nonproject Draft EIS addresses the probable significant impacts that could
occur as a result of the proposed amendments, as well as the potential range of
future development activities and impacts on the North Bay site by the assumed
buildout year of 2030. For purposes of environmental review, five development
Alternatives and one No Action Alternative have been formulated and are evaluated.
These Alternatives represent a full range of land use intensities and densities that
the site could accommodate. The high end of the development range could include up
to 6.9 million square feet of new building space accommodating industrial, research
and development/lab, flex tech, office and retail uses. The potential for
residential use is also analyzed. The existing CityIce and Trident Seafoods
operations would continue as part of a core traditional industrial base that could
include expansion by these tenants and/or other similar traditional maritime and
industrial uses. Port of Seattle Piers 90 and 91 and the associated short-fill area
to the south are not included in the North Bay site and will remain in active
maritime industrial use. The greenbelt at the western edge of the site would be
retained. There is no preferred plan at this time; the Port as part of the ongoing
planning process will develop a preferred Master Plan.
Location of proposal: The project site consists of both Port and non-Port owned
properties generally bounded by Elliott Bay on the south, 15th Avenue W on the east,
the east slope of Magnolia on the west and the southern terminus of 20th Avenue W on
the north. A total of 142 acres of property is analyzed in this Draft EIS,
including 94 acres of Port-owned property and 48 acres owned by the City of Seattle,
the State of Washington and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
Lead Agency: Port of Seattle SEPA No. 05-07
The following areas have been addressed in this nonproject Draft EIS: Earth, Air
Quality, Water Resources, Plants and Animals, Environmental Health, Noise, Land Use,
Employment, Population and Housing, Aesthetics/Light and Glare, Historic and
Cultural Resources, Transportation, Public Services and Utilities. For each of
these elements, the Draft EIS identifies probable significant environmental impacts,
measures to mitigate these impacts and any significant unavoidable adverse impacts.
Draft EIS Available: Copies of the DEIS are available for review at the Seattle
Public Library’s Central, Queen Anne, and Magnolia Branches; and at the Port of
Seattle office at Engineering Services Department Second Floor Bid Counter at Pier
69, 2711 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA, during business hours of 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Photocopies of the document can be made at the Kinkos in Ballard (1740 NW Market St)
and Queen Anne (606 1st Ave N). Alternatively, the DEIS can be reviewed and
downloaded at the Port of Seattle web site at:
http://www.portseattle.org/community/environment/. Persons interested in receiving
a copy of the DEIS on CD (no charge) should contact Brenda Thomas at 206-728-3382 or
by e-mail at thomas.b@portseattle.org.
A limited number of copies for public distribution are also available and may be
purchased at the Port’s Engineering Services Department Second Floor Bid Counter
at Pier 69. The purchase price is $200.00 per set (Volumes 1 and 2) to cover
printing costs. This DEIS has been prepared pursuant to the State Environmental
Policy Act (SEPA – Chapter 43.21C RCW) and the SEPA Rules (WAC 197-11-400).
Comments on DEIS: You are invited to provide written comments on the Draft EIS.
All comments must be received by 4:00 PM on May 16, 2005. Written comments should
be addressed to David L. McCraney, Pier 69, P.O. Box 1209. Seattle, WA 98111-1209.
Comments may also be submitted to the Port of Seattle electronic mail address at
SEPA.p@portseattle.org. Please include your mailing address when submitting
comments to the electronic mail address.
After reviewing public and agency comments on the Draft EIS, the Port will issue a
Final EIS.
Public Hearing: Public comments on the DEIS will also be accepted at a public
hearing to be held on May 4, 2005 at 5:30 PM at the Washington National Guard
Armory, 1601 W. Armory Way, Seattle, Washington Public testimony will be taken
beginning at 6:30 pm.
Responsible official: Charles Sheldon
Position/title: Managing Director, Seattle Seaport
Pier 69
P.O. Box 1209
Seattle, WA 98111
Fax: (206) 728-3188
Signature on File
SEPA Responsible Official
Port of Seattle
April 15, 2005
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