1. Proposed Amendment to Critical Areas Ordinance adding section called Consolidated Review for Single Family Residential Development

This amendment would enable an applicant for a single family residence on a property near a critical area to have several required reviews consolidated into one to determine a development footprint that meets requirements for critical areas, drainage, road standards, fire and clearing limits. The applicant must agree to use a preferred consultant, the project needs to qualify for small project drainage review, and the consolidated review does not cover variances or exceptions. This new provision streamlines the process and gives applicants needed certainty on the cost of review by the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES).

2. Proposed Ordinance No. 2004-0508 amends DDES fees to set the price for the Consolidated Review for Single Family Residential Development at $1,850

3. Proposed Ordinance No. 2004-0507 creates the option for appeals to the Council on Reasonable Use Exceptions

Property owners who seek a Reasonable Use Exception will have the option of appealing to the King County Council, in addition to their existing avenues of appeal through King County Superior Court. Upon receiving an appeal, the Council will review the evidence gathered by the King County Hearing Examiner. This provides a chance for applicants to have their individual cases heard by elected representatives. This option for appeals to the Council will sunset after two years.

4. Proposed Motion No. 2004-0510 on enhancing Incentives and technical assistance through the 2005 King County Budget process in several ways:

• Commit to expeditious review of an Executive proposal being introduced today to set up two new categories of tax incentives: watershed protection and rural stewardship.

• Allow for waiver of the $200 fee for applications to the Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) program, and provide additional assistance to property owners to prepare their applications.

• Ensure adequate staffing in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to assist owners in taking advantage of new flexible tools in the Critical Areas package through development of Rural Stewardship Plans, Farm Plans, and Forest Management Plans.

• Reauthorize funding for the King Conservation District, which works with landowners to prepare customized Farm Plans.

5. Proposed Motion No. 2004-0511 to provide free assistance to property owners on new Critical Areas standards

Through the 2005 Budget process, add two outreach staff to the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) who can meet informally with rural landowners about new critical areas standards and help owners make informed decisions – without an hourly charge. DDES would also be required to create an information bulletin for stormwater Best Management Practices.

6. Proposed Motion No. 2004-0509 on monitoring DDES permit efficiency and customer service through the 2005 Budget process.

In response to public testimony on hourly charges and customer service, the Council will require DDES to follow-up on earlier recommendations from King County Auditor for monitoring permit efficiency, and conducting customer-satisfaction exit interviews with permit applicants. DDES will also be required to monitor the percentage of permits that end up in the "complex" site engineering review category, which involves hourly review fees. This data will be reported on a quarterly basis to the Auditor and to the chairs of the Council’s Labor, Operations and Technology Committee and the Growth Management and Unincorporated Areas Committee, The Auditor's work program will include a review of this data and findings to the Council on DDES efficiency and customer service.

7. Proposed Ordinance 2004-0512 establishing two new categories of tax incentives: watershed protection and rural stewardship.