Pasco council adopts SEPA threshold changes to streamline development review

The Pasco City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 4813 on Feb. 2, amending Pasco Municipal Code sections that implement the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to raise flexible categorical-exemption thresholds.

Planning staff explained the change is a phased approach intended to reduce redundant environmental review while maintaining environmental protections. "With the adoption of the TIF program last year ... staff is proposing that we raise the thresholds up to the maximum amount, which would allow all infill residential projects within the city to forego the SEPA process," Miss Matson said.

City staff said phase 1 raises selected thresholds shown in the staff report. Phase 2 would require coordination with outside agencies, including tribes and the Washington State Department of Transportation, and completion of the comprehensive plan periodic update before staff would seek maximum threshold levels. There were no public commenters during the hearing.

Mayor Pro Tem Milne moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded by Council member Perales and passed unanimously. The ordinance includes publication by summary as authorized in code and directs staff to continue stakeholder coordination for subsequent code changes.

Next steps: staff will complete the interagency consultations and bring remaining proposed threshold adjustments as part of the periodic update and municipal code sweep later in the year.