| | | | | | | |  | Item #4.
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| | | | | | | | | TO: |
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| Mayor and City Council |
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| Eric Holmes, City Manager |
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| | DATE: |
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| 5/17/2021 |
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| SUBJECT
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| Six-month extension of temporary moratorium prohibiting the establishment of new, or expansion of existing, large-scale fossil fuel facilities
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| | | | | | | | Key Points
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- On June 8, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance M-4295 establishing an emergency six-month moratorium prohibiting the establishment of new, or expansion of existing, large-scale fossil fuel facilities. On July 20, 2020, the City Council held a public hearing on Resolution M-4082 making findings of fact in support of the adoption of Ordinance No. M-4295. At the conclusion of the public hearing City Council voted to adopt Resolution M-4082.
- On November 23, 2020, the City Council adopted Ordinance M-4323 extending for an additional six months the emergency six-month moratorium prohibiting the establishment of new, or expansion of existing, large-scale fossil fuel facilities. A public hearing on Ordinance M-4323 was held on December 7, 2020.
- This ordinance would extend the emergency six-month moratorium prohibiting the establishment of new, or expansion of existing, large-scale fossil fuel facilities for an additional period of six months and directs staff to continue work on recommendations addressing the circumstances necessitating the moratorium.
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| | | | | | | | | Strategic Plan Alignment |
Goal 1: Ensure our built urban environment is one of the safest, most environmentally responsible and well maintained in the Pacific Northwest.
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| | | | | | | | | Present Situation | The current moratorium prohibits the acceptance, processing, and granting of applications for permits for establishment of new, or expansion of existing, large-scale fossil fuel facilities until June 8, 2021. This provides time for work to continue on updates to the Strategic Plan, VCCV, Title 20 updates, and the drafting of a Climate Action Plan. This extension would keep the current moratorium in place until December 8, 2021.
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| | | | | | | | | Advantage(s) |
- Allows the City time to consider the widest range of choice and alternatives for future development when developing strategy and plans and implementing corresponding code updates.
- Allows time for associated public process, stakeholder outreach, and required environmental review.
- Avoids jeopardizing any possible land use option that may be precluded by unrestricted development until work on the Strategic Plan, VCCV, Title 20 updates, and Climate Action Plan are further underway.
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| | | | | | | | | Disadvantage(s) | Prohibits the acceptance, processing, and granting of applications for permits for previously allowed new or expanded fossil fuel facilities.
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| | | | | | | | | Budget Impact | Minimal budget impact. No permit applications for new, or the expansion of existing, facilities means no permit fee revenue but also no permit review costs. Because permit review fees are capped, permit fees may not fully cover the cost of reviewing a large and complicated project like a fossil fuel facility, meaning the moratorium may have a slight budget benefit to the City.
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| | | | | | | | Prior Council Review
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- June 8, 2020, adoption of Ordinance M-4295 adopting temporary moratorium.
- July 20, 2020, adoption of Resolution M-4082 making findings of fact in support of the adoption of Ordinance No. M-4295.
- November 23, 2020, first reading and review of Ordinance M-4323 to extendtemporary moratorium.
- December 7, 2020, public hearing and approval of Ordinance M-4323 extending temporary moratorium for additional six months.
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| | | | | | | | | Action Requested | On Monday, May 17, 2021, subject to second reading and public hearing, approve the ordinance.
Aaron Lande, Policy and Program Manager, 360-487-8612
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