HomeMy WebLinkAbout4044 P
Ordinance No . 4044
(Amending or Repealing Ordinances)
CFN=131 - Zoning Codes
Passed - 8/21%2012
Administration of Development Regulations Ordinance
Amending Chapter 12.01
(Secs. 12.01.020;12.01.030;12.01.040.12.01.050;12.01.060;12.01.070;
12.01.080;12.01.100;12.01.105;12.01.110;12.01.120;12.01.125;12.01.140;
12.01.145;12.01.147;12.01.160;12.01.180;12.01.195;12.04.193;12.04.195;
2.32.130; repealing sec. 12.04.193; adding new secs. 12.01.115;12.01.185)
Amends drds. 2233.2789.2802.3036.3424.3511 ; 3574.3614
3720;3760;3801;3906;3914;4011
The date["Beginning July 1, 1998"1 has led to confusion This date will be deleted from cover sheets of
ordinance/resolution revision pages. This cover sheet will be deleted on electronic pages only, no other
deletions or changes have been made to the document—6/2112012.
I
ORDINANCE NO. O
jq
AN ORDINANCE of the city council of the
city of Kent, Washington, amending chapters
12.01, 12.04, and 2.32, of the Kent City Code,
specifically sections 12.01.020, 12.01.030,
12.01.040, 12.01.050, 12.01.060, 12.01.070,
12.01.080, 12.01.100, 12.01.105, 12.01.110,
12.01.120, 12.01.125, 12.01.140, 12.01.145,
12.01.160, 12.01.180, 12.01.195, 12.04.195, and
2.32.130, repealing section 12.04.193, and adding
new sections 12.01.115 and 12.01.185; related to
administration of development regulations,
including the general permit process, public notice
requirements and expiration timelines [ZCA-2011-
1(B)].
RECITALS
A. Local planning legislation arises from many sources, including,
but not limited to, Federal, State or regional mandates; changes to local
community vision; complaints; need for clarity; updated technologies,
business operations or strategies that make existing codes outdated; and
conflicts with updated regulations in other City departments.
B. The city has determined that amendments to Chapters 12.01,
12.04, and 2.32, Kent City Code (KCC), are necessary to reflect an
improved permitting process, provide clarification, reflect updated state
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regulations, and ensure development standards reflect the intent of the
subject code provisions.
C. The Department of Economic and Community Development
finds it impractical to require pre-application conferences for all projects
with environmental review, but pre-application conferences should be
encouraged for complex projects or for applicants who are unfamiliar with
city processes.
D. The Department of Economic and Community Development is
able to deem project permit applications complete at permit intake,
allowing complete applications to vest to land use regulations in effect at
that time.
E. Applications for known code deviations and variances assist in
fully defining and evaluating a project, and must be submitted in
conjunction with the associated project permit application.
F. Criteria should be established to allow an applicant to request
additional time within which to resubmit corrected information for a project
permit, after the city determines that some information is incorrect.
G. Procedures should be established to limit the time an
applicant has to pick up a permit that is ready to issue, before the
application lapses.
H. The continued validity of permit applications and issued
permits or land use approvals should be more clearly defined, in order to
prevent permits and land use approvals from remaining valid indefinitely,
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when no work under the permit or land use approval is being actively
undertaken for an extended period of time.
I. The Economic and Community Development Director should
be authorized to allow additional time extensions for permit review and
permit approvals, in rare and unique circumstances when the delay is
beyond the control of the applicant.
J. The City's State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Responsible
Official has determined that the proposed amendments are procedural in
nature and thus categorically exempt from further SEPA review.
K. On August 2, 2011, notice was sent to the Washington State
Department of Commerce and expedited review was requested as required
under RCW 36.70A.106(3)(b). On August 4, 2011, the City was granted
expedited review and was informed that it had met the Growth
Management Act notice requirements under RCW 36.70A.106.
L. The Land Use and Planning Board held workshops on August 8,
2011, February 27, 2012, and March 12, 2012 regarding this issue.
M. The Land Use and Planning Board held public hearings on March
26, 2012 and June 25, 2012 regarding this issue. The Economic and
Community Development Committee entertained a presentation by
Planning staff concerning this matter at its July 9, 2012 meeting and
considered this matter at its August 13, 2012 meeting, and the city council
considered this matter at its August 21, 2012 meeting.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENT,
WASHINGTON, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
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ORDINANCE
SECTION 2. - Amendment. Section 12.01.020 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.020. Definitions.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section
apply throughout this chapter.
A. Closed record appeals are administrative appeals under Chapter
36.70E RCW which are heard by the city council or hearing examiner,
following an open record hearing on a project permit application when the
appeal is on the record with no or limited new evidence or information
allowed to be submitted and only appeal arguments allowed.
B. Judicial appeals are appeals filed by a party of record in King County
superior court.
C. Open record hearing means a hearing held under Chapter 36.70E
RCW and conducted by the Kent hearing examiner who is authorized by
the city to conduct such hearings, that creates the city's record through
testimony and submission of evidence and information, under procedures
prescribed by the city by ordinance or resolution. An open record hearing
may be held prior to the city's decision on a project permit to be known as
an "open record predecision hearing." An open record hearing may be held
on an appeal, to be known as an "open record appeal hearing," if no open
record predecision hearing has been held on the project permit.
D. Parties of record means:
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1. The applicant;
2. The property tax payer as identified by the records available
from the King County assessor's office;
3. Any person who testified at the open record public hearing on
the application; and/or
4. Any person who submitted written comments during
administrative review or has submitted written comments concerning the
application at the open record public hearing (excluding persons who have
only signed petitions or form letters).
E. Project permit means any land use or environmental permit or
license required from the city of Kent for a project action, including but not
limited to building permits, site development permits, site plan review,
land use preparation permits, subdivisions, binding site plans, planned unit
developments, conditional uses, shoreline substantial development
permits, development plan review, site-specific rezones authorized by the
comprehensive plan; but excluding adoption or amendment of the
comprehensive plan and development regulations, zoning of newly
annexed land, area-wide rezones, and zoning map amendments except as
otherwise specifically included in this subsection.
F. Planning director means the director of the planning department of
the city of Kent or his/her designee.
G. Public meeting means an informal meeting, hearing, workshop, or
other public gathering of persons to obtain comments from the public or
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other agencies on a proposed project permit prior to the city's decision. A
public meeting may include, but is not limited to, a design review meeting,
a special committee meeting, such as the short subdivision committee, or
a scoping meeting on a draft environmental impact statement. A public
meeting does not include an open record hearing. The proceedings at a
public meeting may be recorded and a report or recommendation may be
included in the city's project permit application file.
SECTION 2. - Amendment. Section 12.01.030 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.030. Application processes and classification.
A. Application processes. Project permit applications for review
pursuant to this chapter shall be classified as a Process I, Process II,
Process III, Process IV, or Process V action. Process VI actions are
legislative. Project permit applications and decisions are categorized by
type as set forth in KCC 12.01.040.
B. Determination of proper process type. The planning mamagerdirector
shall determine the proper process types for all applications. If there is a
question as to the appropriate process type, the planning rnanagerdirector
shall resolve it in favor of the higher process type number. Process I is the
lowest and Process VI is the highest.
C. Optional consolidated permit processing. An application that involves
two (2) or more process types may be treated collectively under the
highest numbered process type required for any part of the application or
treated individually under each process type identified by the chapter. An
applicant may ask that his or her application be treated collectively or
6 Administration of
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individually. If the application is administered under the individual process
option, the highest numbered process procedure must be finalized prior to
the subsequent lower numbered process being finalized. If the application
is processed under the individual procedure option, there shall be no more
than one (1) open record hearing and no more than one (1) closed record
appeal for all application processes. Open record hearings and closed
record appeals must be consolidated under the higher process type
number. An application for rezone may be processed separately from an
application for another project permit.
D. Decision maker(s). Applications processed in accordance with
subsection (C) of this section which have the same highest numbered
process type but are assigned different hearing bodies shall be heard
collectively by the highest decision maker(s). The city council is the
highest, followed by the hearing examiner, and then the short subdivision
committee and the downtown design review committee. Joint public
hearings with other agencies shall be processed according to KCC
12.01.060, Joint public hearings.
E. Environmental review. Process I, II, III, IV, and V permits which are
subject to environmental review under SEPA (Chapter 43.21C RCW) are
subject to the provisions of this chapter. An environmental checklist shall
be submitted in conjunction with the submittal of a project permit
application. One (1) environmental threshold determination shall be made
for all related project permit applications. The city will not issue a
threshold determination, other than a DS, prior to the submittal of a
complete project permit application and the expiration of the public
comment period for the notice of application pursuant to KCC 12.01.140,
but may utilize the public notice procedures as outlined in KCC
11.03.410(A)(1) to consolidate public notice.
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SECTION 3. - Amendment. Section 12.01.040 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.040. Project permit application framework.
A. Process types. The following table lists the process types, the
corresponding applications, and parenthetically, the corresponding final
decision maker and appellate body.
Process I Process II Process III Process IV Process Process VI
V
Applications Zoning permit Administrative Conditional use Planned unit Final Zoning of newly
review(1)(7) design review(1) permit(5)(10) development(6) plat(6) annexed lands(6)
(7) (10)with change (10) (10)
of use
Performance Shoreline Sign variance(5) Special use Area-wide rezones
standards substantial (10) combining to implement new
procedures development district(6)(10) city policies(6)(10)
(1)(7) permit(1)(9)
Sign permit Accessory Special home Rezone(6)(10) Comprehensive
(1)(7) dwelling unit occupation plan amendments
permit(1)(7) permit(5)(10) (6)(10)
Lot line Administrative Variance(5)(10) Development
adjustment variance(1)(7) regulations(6)(10)
(1)(7)
Administrative Downtown design Shoreline Zoning map
interpretation review,all except conditional use amendments(6)
(1)(7) for minor remodels permit(5)(9) (10)
(3)(7)
Application Downtown design Shoreline Zoning text
conditional review,only minor variance(5)(9) amendments(6)
certification remodels(1)(7) (10)
multifamily to
exemption
(12)(6),all
other
multifamily to
exemption
(12)(7)
Development Midway design Preliminary plat
plan review review(1)(7) (5)(S7!)J
(planning
director,
building
official,or
public works
8 Administration of
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director)(7)
Site plan Midway desian
M1 review11N71
director•
buildma
or
public works
erector M
Administrative Binding site plan
approvaWVTF (2)(7)
(1)(7)
Mobile home Short subdivision Planned unit
park closure (4)(7) development(5)
(11)(7) (10)without a
change of use
(1)Final decision made by planning director (7)Appeal to hearing examiner
(2)Final decision by binding site plan committee (8)Appeal to city council
(3)Final decision made by downtown design review committee (9)Appeal to shoreline hearings board
(4)Final decision made by short subdivision committee (10)No administrative appeals
(5)Final decision made by hearing examiner (11)Final decision made by manager of housing
(6)Final decision made by city council and human services
(121 Final decisionmade by economic
community development director
B. Process procedures. The following table lists the process types and
the corresponding procedures.
Project Permit Applications(Processes I—V) Legislative
Process I Process II Process III Process IV Process Process VI
V
Requires Ere Yes,fierPrelests Yes,fer Yes,fer Yea NO No
appliaefien FSqUEFIAg SE PFGJBdS f1s
WOMAN raview Fequ'F+ag regd+re+g
SERA review SERA
review
Notice of Yes,for projects Yes,for Yes No No
application, requiring SEPA projects
review requiring
SEPA review,
short plats,
and shoreline
substantial
development
permits
Recommendation N/A NIA NIA Hearing N/A Land use and
made by examiner planning board
Final decision Planning Planning Hearing City council, City City council
made by wrapagerdirector, manager examiner based upon council
building official, director, record made
public works downtown before hearing
director,economic design review examiner
&commune committee,
development binding site
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director or plan
manager of committee,or
housing and short
human services as subdivision
applicable committee,as
noted in KCC
1201 140
Open record Yes, d appealed, Yes,if No No No No
appeal then before appealed,
hearing examiner then before
hearing
examiner
Open record No No Yes,before Yes, before No Yes,before land
hearing hearing hearing examiner use and planning
examiner to make board to make
to make recommendation recommendation
final to council to city council,
decision and/or before city
council
Reconsideration. No No Yes,of Yes,of hearing No No
hearing examiner's
examiner's recommendation
decision
Closed record Only if appeal of Only if Only if No No No
appeal denial of appealed, appealed,
multifamily then before then before
conditional the shoreline the
certificate,then hearings shoreline
before the city board if hearings
council applicable board if
applicable
Judicial appeal Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
SECTION 4. - Amendment. Section 12.01.050 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.050. Exemptions from project permit application
processing.
A. Genera! exemptions. The following permits or approvals are
specifically excluded from the notification and des—procedural
requirements set forth in this chapter:
1. Landmark designations;
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2. Street vacations; and
3. Street use permits.
4. Pursuant to RCW 36.70B.140(2), boundary line adjustments,
building permits, and other construction permits, which are categorically
exempt from environmental review under SEPA or that do not require
street improvements or for which environmental review under SEPA has
been completed in connection with other project permits. For example, if
public notice and environmental review for a project was completed with
an initial application for a project permit a subsequent application for a
different permit for the same project is specifically excluded from the
public notification and procedures set forth in this chapter and would be
subject to the procedures and regulations related specifically to that
subsequent permit, for example Ch. 14.01 KCC for an application for
building permit.
S. Administrative approvals which are categorically exempt from
environmental review under SEPA (Chapter 43.21C RCW) and the city's
SEPA/environmental policy ordinance, Chapter 11.03 KCC, or for which
environmental review has been completed in connection with other project
permits.
SECTION 5. - Amendment. Section 12.01.060 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.060. Joint public hearings.
A. Planning manageFddirector's decision to hold joint hearing. The
planning rnanager it r may combine any public hearing on a project
11 Administration of
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permit application with any hearing that may be held by another local,
state, regional, federal, or other agency, on the proposed action, as long
as:
1. The other agency consents to the joint hearing;
2. The other agency is not expressly prohibited by statute from
doing so;
3. Sufficient notice of the hearing is given to meet each of the
agencies' adopted notice requirements as set forth in statute, ordinance, or
rule;
4. The agency has received the necessary information about the
proposed project from the applicant in enough time to hold its hearing at
the same time as the local government hearing; and
5. The hearing is held within the Kent city limits.
B. Applicant's request for a joint hearing. The applicant may request
that the public hearing on a permit application be combined as long as the
joint hearing can be held within the time periods set forth in this chapter.
In the alternative, the applicant may agree to a particular schedule if
additional time is needed in order to complete the hearings.
SECTION 6. - Amendment. Section 12.01.070 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.070. Process VI legislative actions.
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A. Legislative actions. The following process VI actions are legislative,
and are not subject to the notification and preeedtwesarocedural
requirements in this chapter, unless otherwise specified:
1. Zoning newly annexed lands;
2. Area-wide rezones and zoning map amendments to
implement city policies;
3. Comprehensive plan text amendments;
4. Comprehensive plan map amendments;
45-. Development regulations and zoning text amendments; and
3E. Other similar actions that are non-project related.
SECTION 7. - Amendment. Section 12.01.080 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.080. Pre-application conference.
A. Applicability. The purpose of a pre-application conference is to
provide city staff with a sufficient level of detail about a proposal prior to
submittal of a project permit application so that the city staff can acquaint
the applicant with the requirements of the Kent City Code. Pre-application
conferences are regW+redgncouraged for Process I, II, III, and IV permits
which require environmental review, and for l2rojects that are complex or
where applicants are unfamiliar with city codes, ordinances and
procedures.
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B. Pre-application conference initiation. To initiate a pre-application
conference, an applicant shall submit a completed form provided by the
city and all information pertaining to the proposal as prescribed by
administrative procedures of the planning services ofFicedepeFtniei�tt.
Failure to provide all pertinent information may prevent the city from
identifying all applicable issues or providing the most effective pre-
application conference.
C. Scheduling. A pre-application conference may be conducted at any
point prior to application for a project permit. A pre-application conference
shall be scheduled by the city at the time of submittal
weFkiAg-days of a completed pre-application conference request. The pre-
application conference shall be held within thirty (30) calendar days of the
receipt of a completed request, unless the applicant agrees to an extension
of this time period in writing.
D. At the conference the applicant may request the following
information be provided:
1. A form which lists the requirements of a complete project
permit application;
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2. A general summary of the procedures to be used to process
the application;
3. The references to the relevant code provisions on
development; and
4. The city's design guidelines.
E. It is impossible for the conference to be an exhaustive review of all
potential issues. The discussion at the conference or the form sent to the
applicant under subsection (D)(1) of this section shall not bind or prohibit
the city's future application or enforcement of the applicable law.
SECTION 8. - Amendment. Section 12.01.100 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.100. Submission and acceptance of application.
A. Determination of completeness. A project permit application
consistent with instructions for a complete application is deemed complete
upon acceptance by the permit center. Within twenty eight (28) calendaF
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np'e`e-ess Acceptance of a project permit application shall be n9a
rrohe+g-at►means that the application is sufficient for continued processing
even though additional information may be required or project
modifications may be undertaken subsequently. The eity's
n,.plet....es Acceptance of a lroject permit application shall not preclude
the city from requesting additional information or studies either at the
if new information is
required or where there are substantial changes in the proposal.
eemplete, the appileant shall have up te ninety (90) ealendaF days te
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-2. if the applieant either refuses in writing te submit additie
note the date ef aeeeptanee-.
E-B. Project review. Following a determination that an application is
complete, the city shall begin project review.
SECTION 9. - Amendment. Section 12.01.105 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.105. Application vesting.
A project permit application shall vest upon the submissien of a fully
ee:np'ete acceptance of a comDate project permit application, as defined
in KCC 12.01.100, provided that the applicant also includes a concurrent
submittal of a fully completed application for any known code deviations or
variances required for the pro oosed project. A project permit application
that contains a knowing misrepresentation or an omission of material fact
shall not vest any development rights. Vesting shall apply to land use
regulations in effect on the land at the time a fully completed project
permit application has been accepted as complete pursuant to KCC
12.01.100(BA).
SECTION 10. - Amendment. Section 12.01.110 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
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Sec. 12.01.110. Procedure for complete, but "incorrect
applications."
A. Following su mi la detem 4netie- of a complete application and
the commencement of project review, the city may make a determination
in writing that some information is incorrect, and that corrected
information be submitted. The applicant shall have up to done
hundred eighty 180) calendar days to submit corrected information
(deemed the "resubmittal period"). The applicant shall submit
concurrently all of the corrected information that was requested The
planning director may. in writing extend the resubmittal period for up to
an additional one hundred eighty (180) days if the applicant can
demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with the resubmittal request.
Evidence of an applicant's good faith efforts shall include the following:
1. Length of time since the initial ermit application;
2. Time period the applicant had to submit corrected information;
3. Availability of necessary information;
4. Potential to provide necessary information within the
extended resubmittalperiod;
4. Reason for the applicant's delay: and
6. Applicant's reasonable reliance on an expectation that the
application would_not expire.
is Administration of
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The Economic & Community Development Director may authorize
additional time extensions of the resubmittal period in rare or unique
circumstances when the inability of the applicant to comply within the
resubmittal period is due solely to factors outside of the applicant's control,
including but not limited to unusual delay in obtaining permits or approvals
from other agencies or jurisdictions.
B. The city shall have fourteen (14) calendar days to review the
submittal of corrected information. If the corrected information is still not
sufficient, the city shall notify the applicant in writing that the submitted
information is incorrect, and the resubmittal period set forth in subsection
(A) of this section shall be repeated. This process may continue until
complete or corrected information is obtained.
C. If the applicant within the resubmittal period either refuses in
writing to submit corrected information,, er-does not submit the corrected
information within the resubmittal period, or submits only a portion of the
corrected information that was requested, he application shall lapse. This
does not preclude the applicant from working with individual divisions of
the city for informal review of a portion of the requested corrected
information within the resubmittal period.
D. Previded, howeyeF, that applaeations that are within the resubmittal
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-ED. If the requested corrected information is sufficient, the city shall
continue with project review, in accordance with the time calculation
exclusions set forth in KCC 12.01.180.
SECTION 11. - Amendment. A new section 12.01.115 is added to
the Kent City Code as follows:
Sec. 12,01,115, Procedure for ready to issue permits.
A. Following the end of lroject review, the city will notify the applicant
that the permit is ready to issue. The applicant shall have up to one
hundred eighty (180) calendar days to obtain the permit after notification
that it is ready to issue (deemed the "period for permit pick-ups. The
planning director may, in writing, extend the period for permit pick-up for
up to an additional one hundred eighty (180) days if the applicant can
demonstrate a good faith effort to pick up the permit. Evidence of an
applicant's good faith efforts shall include the following_
1. Length of time since the initial permit application:
2. Reason for the applicant's delay; and
3. Applicant's reasonable reliance on an expectation that the
application would not expire.
The Economic & Community Development Director may authorize
additional time extensions of the period for permit pick-up in rare or
unique circumstances when the inability of the applicant to comply within
the period for permit pick-up is due solely to factors outside of the
applicant's control, including but not limited to unusual delay in obtaining
permits or approvals from other agencies or jurisdictions.
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B. If the applicant within the period for permit pick-up either refuses in
writing to pick up the permit or does not pick up the permit after
notification by the city that the permit was ready to issue, the application
shall lapse.
SECTION 12. - Amendment. Section 12.01.120 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.120. Referral and review of project permit
applications.
Within ten (10) calendar days of accepting a complete application, the
planning maker it ctor shall do the following:
A. Transmit a copy of the application, or appropriate parts of the
application, to each affected agency and city department for review and
comment, including those responsible for determining compliance with
state, federal, and county requirements. The affected agencies and city
departments shall have fifteen (15) calendar days to comment. The
referral agency or city department is presumed to have no comments if
comments are not received within the specified time period. The planning
n9anageFdLirg= shall grant an extension of time only if the application
involves unusual circumstances. Any extension shall only be for a
maximum of three (3) additional calendar days.
SECTION 13. - Amendment. Section 12.01.125 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
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Sec. 12.01.125. Notification of proximity to agricultural
resource lands.
For all plats, short plats, development permits,
and substantial building permits for residential development activities on or
within five hundred (500) hundred feet of land designated as agricultural
resource lands within the city of Kent, or the comparable land use
designation within unincorporated King County, the city shall be-inferred
inform the by the-eitjrproject permit applicant of the proximity to
agricultural resource lands on which commercial agricultural activities may
occur that are not compatible with residential development for certain
periods of limited duration.
SECTION 14. - Amendment. Section 12.01.140 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.140. Notice of application.
A. Notice of application. A notice of application shall be issued for
Process I and Process II permits requiring SEPA review, short plats,
shoreline substantial development permits, and all Process III and Process
IV applications within fourteen (14) calendar days following submittal of a
complete application
eencipletenees-ptIFSuant to KGG 127 04-4�90(A); provided, that if any open
record hearing is required for the requested project permit(s), the notice of
application shall be provided at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the
open record hearing. One (1) notice of application will be done for all
permit applications related to the same project at the time of the earliest
complete permit application.
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B. SEPA exempt projects. A notice of application shall not be required
for project permits that are categorically exempt under SEPA, unless a
public comment period or an open record pre-decision hearing is required.
C. Contents. The notice of application shall include:
1. The case file number(s), the date of application, the date e
and the date of the
notice of application;
2. A description of the proposed project action and a list of the
project permits included in the application and, if applicable, a list of any
studies requested by the review authority pursuant to RCW 36.70B.070
and WAC 173-27-180;
3. The identification of other permits not included in the
application, to the extent known by the city;
4. The identification of existing environmental documents that
evaluate the proposed project, and, if not otherwise stated on the
document providing notice of application, the location where the
application and any studies can be reviewed;
5. A statement of the limits of the public comment period, which
shall be not less than fourteen (14) nor more than thirty (30) calendar
days following the date of notice of application, and statements of the right
of any person to comment on the application, receive notice of and
participate in any hearings, request a copy of the decision once made, and
any appeal rights;
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6. The tentative date, time, place, and type of hearing. The
tentative hearing date is to be set at the time of the date of notice of the
application;
7. A statement of the preliminary determination of consistency,
if one has been made at the time of notice, and of those development
regulations that will be used for project mitigation and of consistency as
provided in KCC 12.01.150;
8. The name of the applicant or applicant's representative and
the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for the
applicant, if any;
9. A description of the site, including current zoning and nearest
road intersections, reasonably sufficient to inform the reader of its
location; and
10. Any other information determined appropriate by the city,
such as a DS, if complete at the time of issuance of the notice of
application or the city's statement of intent to issue a DNS pursuant to the
optional DNS process set forth in WAC 197-11-355.
D. Mailing of notice of application. The city shall mail by hard copy or e-
mail a copy of the notice of application to the following:
1. Agencies with jurisdiction; and
2. Any person who requests such notice in writing delivered to
the planning services office; and
24 Administration of
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Ordinance
3. Applicant.
E. Public comment on the notice of application. All public comments
received on the notice of application must be received by the planning
services officedepaFtmenR by 4:30 p.m. on the last day of the comment
period. Comments may be mailed, personally delivered, or sent by
faesiFnNeeLeqtrQnlgAlly. Comments should be as specific as possible.
F. Posted notice of application. In addition to the mailed notice of
application, the city will post notice of application at Kent City Hall, and in
the register for public review at the planning services office. The applicant
shall be responsible for posting the property for site-specific proposals with
notice boards provided by the city. Public notice shall be accomplished
through the use of a four (4) by four (4) foot plywood face generic notice
board to be issued by Public Works Operations following payment of the
public notice board fee at the time of application submittal. by the-planning
eeunem' and available at the planning seFyiees effiee.
1. Posting. Posting of the property for site-specific proposals
shall consist of one (1) or more notice boards as follows:
a. A single notice board shall be placed by the applicant in
a conspicuous location on a street frontage bordering the subject property.
b. Each notice board shall be visible and accessible for
inspection by members of the public.
25 Administration of
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C. Additional notice boards may be required when:
(1) The site does not abut a public road; or
(2) Additional public notice boards are required
under other provisions of the Kent City Code; or
(3) The planning n9anageFc1ftrectpr determines that
additional notice boards are necessary to provide
adequate public notice.
d. Notice boards s4etAd5hall be;
(1) Maintained in good condition by the applicant
during the notice period;
(2) In place prior to the start of the public comment
period
eemment per-+ed; and
(3) Removed by the applicant after expiration of the
applicable notice period or the last public meeting or last public hearing on
the application, whichever is later.
e. Notice boards that are removed, stolen, or destroyed
prior to the end of the notice period may be cause for discontinuance of
the departmental review until the notice board is replaced and remains in
place for the specified time period. The city shall notify the applicant when
it comes to their attention that notice boards have been removed
prematurely, stolen, or destroyed.
26 Administration of
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f. An affidavit of posting shall be submitted by the
planning directorfflafrageF at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the
hearing. If the affidavits are not filed as required, any scheduled hearing or
date by which the public may comment on the application may be
postponed in order to allow compliance with this notice requirement.
g. Notice boards shall be constructed and installed in
accordance with specifications determined by the planning
direct rfeRager.
h. SEPA information shall be added by the city to the
posted sign within applicable deadlines. An affidavit of posting shall be
submitted by the planning directoref.
G. Published notice of application. Published notice of application in
arrthe it 's official newspaper or appropriate substitute as provided for in
Resolution No. 1747 or as subsequently amended
is required for Process I and II
permits requiring SEPA review, short plats and Process III, IV, and V
permits, except subdivision final plat applications. Published notice shall
include at least the following information:
1. Project location;
2. Project description;
3. Type of permit(s) required;
4. Comment period dates; and
27 Administration of
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5. Location where the complete application and notice of the
application may be reviewed.
H. Shoreline master program permits.
1. Notice of the application effQrr a permit under the purview of
the city's shoreline master program shall be given in accordance with the
requirements of Ch. 11.04 KCC, the Kent shoreline management -master
program.
SECTION 15, - Amendment. Section 12.01.145 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.145. Notice of open record hearing.
A. Notice of open record hearing for all types of applications. The notice
given of an open record hearing required in this chapter shall contain;
1. The name of the applicant or the applicant's representative;
2. Description of the affected property, which may be in the
form of either a vicinity location sketch or written description, other than a
legal description;
3. The date, time, and place of the hearing;
4. The nature of the proposed use or development;
28 Administration of
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5. A statement that all interested persons may appear and
provide testimony;
6. When and where information may be examined, and when
and how written comments addressing findings required for a decision by
the hearing body may be submitted;
7. The name of a city representative to contact and the
telephone number where additional information may be obtained;
B. That a copy of the application, all documents and evidence
relied upon by the applicant and applicable criteria are available for
inspection at no cost and will be provided at the cost of reproduction; and
9. That a copy of the staff report will be available for inspection
at no cost at least five (5) calendar days prior to the hearing and copies
will be provided at the cost provided for in the city's public record
disclosure policy.
B. Mailed notice of open record hearing. Mailed notice of the open
record hearing shall be provided by the city in hard copy or e-mail as
follows:
1. Process I, II and V actions. No public notice is required
because an open record hearing is not held. Notice for short plat meetings
is mailed to property owners within two hundred (200) feet. Shoreline
permit notices shall be in accordance with the requirements of WAC 173-
27-110,
29 Administration of
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2. Process III and IV actions. The notice of open record hearing
shall be mailed to:
a. The applicant;
b. All owners of real property as shown by the records of
the county assessor's office within three hundred (300) feet of the subject
property; and
C. Any person who submits written comments, delivered
to the planning services pffic e€>,rees, regarding the project permit.
3. Process IV preliminary plat actions. In addition to the general
notice of open record hearing requirements for Process IV actions above,
additional notice shall be provided as follows:
a. Notice of the filing of a preliminary plat of a proposed
subdivision located adjacent to the right-of-way of a state highway or
within two (2) miles of the boundary of a state or municipal airport shall be
given to the Secretary of Transportation, who must respond within fifteen
(15) calendar days of such notice.
b. Special notice of the hearing shall be given to adjacent
land owners by any other reasonable method the city deems necessary.
Adjacent land owners are the owners of real property, as shown by the
records of the King County assessor, located within three hundred (300)
feet of any portion of the boundary of the proposed subdivision. If the
owner of the real property which is proposed to be subdivided owns
another parcel or parcels of real property which lie adjacent to the real
property proposed to be subdivided, notice under RCW 58.17.090(1)(b)
30 Administration of
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shall be given to owners of real property located within three hundred
(300) feet of such adjacently owned parcels.
4. Process VI actions. For Process VI legislative actions, the city
shall publish notice as described in subsections (C) and (D) of this section,
and use all other methods of notice as required by RCW 35A.12.160. For
privately proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan land use map,
notice of the open record hearing shall be mailed to:
a. The applicant;
b. All owners of real property as shown by the records of
the county assessor's office within three hundred (300) feet of the affected
property; and
b. Any person who has requested notice.
For revised geographic scope of the privately proposed land use plan map
amendments, notice of the open record hearing shall be given by
notification of all property owners within the revised land use Lan an map
amendment area.
C. Procedure for posted or published notice of open record hearing.
1. Posted notice of the open record hearing is required for all
Process III and IV actions. The posted notice of hearing shall be added to
the sign already posted on the property pursuant to KCC 12.01.140(F).
2. Published notice of the open record hearing is required for all
Process III and IV procedures. The published notice shall be published +A--a
31 Administration of
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in the cit 's official
newspaper r appropriate substitute as provided for in Resolution No. 1747
or as subsequently amended and contain the following information:
a. Project location;
b. Project description;
c. Type of permit(s) required;
d. Gemment peFied datesDate, time and location of the
hearing; and
e. Location where the complete application may be reviewed.
3. Published notice of the open record hearing is required for all
Process VI procedures. The notice shall be published in a-nerspapei= e€
geneFal eiFewlatien within the the city's official newspaper or
appropriate substitute as provided for in Resolution No. 1747 or as
subsequently amended and,. in addition to the information required in C.2
of this section, shall contain the project description and the location where
the complete file may be reviewed.
D. Time affd-eest--of notice of open record hearing.
1. Notice shall be mailed, posted and first published not less
than ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearing date. Any posted notice
and notice boards shall be removed by the applicant within seven (7)
calendar days following the conclusion of the open record hearing(s).
32 Administration of
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SECTION 16, - Amendment, Section 12.01.147 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.147. Notice of city council meetings on project
permit applications.
The city shall mail Mailed notice by hard copy or e-mail of city council
meetings on Process IV and VI project permit applications
led by the to parties of record.
SECTION 17. - Amendment. Section 12.01.160 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.160. Open record hearings.
A. General. Open record hearings shall be conducted in accordance
with this section.
B. Responsibility of the planning fnanagerdirec r for hearing. The
planning managefdire shall:
1. Schedule an application for review and public hearing;
2. Give notice (applicant responsible for some of the notice
requirements);
3. Prepare the staff report on the application, which shall be a
single report stating all of the decisions made as of the date of the report,
including recommendations on project permits in the consolidated permit
process that do not require an open record pre-decision hearing. The
33 Administration of
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Ordinance
report shall state any mitigation required or proposed under the
development regulations or the city's authority under SEPA. If the
threshold determination other than a determination of significance has no
been issued previously by the city, the report shall include or append this
determination. In the case of a Process I or II project permit application,
this report may be the permit; and
4. Prepare the notice of decision, if required by the hearing
body, and/or mail by hard copy or e-mail a copy of the notice of decision
to those required by this code to receive such decision.
C. Burden and nature of proof. Except for Process VI actions, the
burden of proof is on the proponent. The project permit application must
be supported by proof that it conforms to the applicable elements of the
city's development regulations, comprehensive plan and that any
significant adverse environmental impacts have been adequately
addressed.
D. Order of proceedings. The order of proceedings for a hearing will
depend in part on the nature of the hearing. The following shall be
supplemented by administrative procedures as appropriate.
1. Before receiving information on the issue, the following shall
be determined:
a. Any objections on jurisdictional grounds shall be noted
on the record and if there is objection, the hearing body has the discretion
to proceed or terminate; and
34 Administration of
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Ordinance
b. Any abstentions or disqualifications shall be
determined.
2. The presiding officer may take official notice of known
information related to the issue, such as:
a. A provision of any ordinance, resolution, rule, officially
adopted development standard or state law; and
b. Other public records and facts judicially noticeable by
law.
3. Matters officially noticed need not be established by evidence
and may be considered by the hearing body in its determination. Parties
requesting that a matter be officially noticed shall do so on the record;
however, the hearing body, on its own accord, may take notice of matters
listed in subsections (13)(1) and (D)(2) of this section if stated for the
record. Any matter given official notice may be rebutted.
4. The hearing body may view the area in dispute with or
without notification to the parties, but shall place the time, manner, and
circumstances of such view on the record.
5. Information shall be received from the staff and from
proponents and opponents. The presiding officer may approve or deny a
request from a person attending the hearing to ask a question. Unless the
presiding officer specifies otherwise, if the request to ask a question is
approved, the presiding officer will direct the question to the person
submitting testimony.
35 Administration of
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6. When the presiding officer has closed the public hearing
portion of the hearing, the hearing body shall openly discuss the issue and
may further question a person submitting information or the staff if
opportunity for rebuttal is provided.
7. When the hearing body is unable to formulate a
recommendation on a project permit, the hearing body may decide to
forward the project permit to the city council to render a decision without a
recommendation.
E. Recommendation/decision. The hearing body shall issue a
recommendation or decision, as applicable, within fourteen (14) calendar
days of the record being closed.
F. Reconsideration by hearing examiner. Reconsideration is not
authorized for Process I and Process II applications. A party of record may
ask for a reconsideration of a decision by the hearing examiner for a
Process III action or a recommendation by the hearing examiner for a
Process IV action. A reconsideration may be requested if either:
1. A specific error of fact or law can be identified; or
2. New evidence is available which was not available at the time
of the hearing.
A request for reconsideration shall be filed by a party of record within five
(5) working days of the date of the initial decision/recommendation. Any
reconsideration request shall cite specific references to the findings and/or
criteria contained in the ordinances governing the type of application being
reviewed.
36 Administration of
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#e ;e—The hearing examiner shall promptly review the reconsideration
request and within five (5) working days issue a written response, either
approving or denying the request. if the FeeensideFatinms denied, the
accepted,
a--Forpuurposes of rights to appeal pursuant to Chapter 36.70C RCW only, if
a request for reconsideration is timely filed by a party of record, the
decision of the hearing examiner is not final until after a decision on
reconsideration is issued.
SECTION 18. - Amendment. Section 12.01.180 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.180. Time limitations.
A. Calculation of time periods for issuance of notice of final decision. In
determining the number of calendar days that have elapsed after the city
has notified the applicant that the application is complete for purposes of
calculating the one hundred twenty (120) day time limit in KCC 12.01.070
for issuance of the notice of decision, the following periods shall be
excluded:
1. Any period during which the applicant has been requested by
the city to correct plans, perform required studies, provide additional
required information, or otherwise requires the applicant to act. The period
shall be calculated from the date the city notifies the applicant of the need
for additional information until the earlier of the date the local government
determines whether the additional information satisfies the request for
information or fourteen (14) calendar days after the date the information
has been provided to the city;
37 Administration of
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2. Any period during which the city determines that the
information submitted by the applicant under KCC 12.01.100 and
12.01.110 is insufficient or incorrect and has requested the applicant to
provide sufficient or correct information;
3. Any period during which an environmental impact statement
is being prepared following a determination of significance pursuant to
Chapter 43.21C RCW, if the city by ordinance has established time periods
for completion of environmental impact statements, or if the city and the
applicant in writing agree to a time period for completion of an
environmental impact statement;
4. Any period for administrative appeals of project permit
applications, if an open record appeal hearing or a closed record appeal, or
both, are allowed. The time period for consideration and decision on
appeals shall not exceed:
a. Ninety (90) calendar days for an open record appeal
hearing; or
b. Sixty (60) calendar days for a closed record appeal.
The parties may agree to extend these time periods; and
5. Any extension of time mutually agreed upon by the applicant
and the leeal-geveffimentLftt .
B. Time limit exceptions. The time limits established in this section do
not apply if a project permit application:
38 Administration of
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1. Requires an amendment to the comprehensive plan or a
development regulation;
2. Requires approval of the siting of an essential public facility as
provided in RCW 36.70A.200; or
3. Is substantially revised by the applicant, in which case the
time period shall start from the date at which the revised project
application is determined to be complete pursuant to KCC 12.01.100.
C. Failure to meet time limit. If the city is unable to issue its final decision
within the time limits provided in this chapter, it shall provide written
notice of this fact to the project applicant. The notice shall include a
statement of reasons why the time limits have not been met and an
estimated date for issuance of a final decision. The city is not liable for
damages due to the city's failure to make a final decision within the time
limits established in this chapter.
SECTION 19. - Amendment. A new section 12.01.185 is added to
the Kent City Code as follows:
Sec. 12,01,185, Expiration of permits.
A. Absent statute or ordinance provisions to the contrary, Process I and
II project permit applications listed in 12.01,050 that are not subject to
the notification and procedural requirements of this chapter and for which
no substantial steps have been taken to meet approval requirements
including permit issuance or final decision for a period of three hundred
sixty-five (365) days after submittal of the initial application will expire and
39 Administration of
Development Regulations
Ordinance
become null and void. The application and instruction forms will reference
the expiration standards of this section, where applicable. Substantial
steps include, but are not limited to due diligence in submitting complete
and correct resubmittals or due diligence in satisfying the requirements for
recordation of lot line adjustments The planning director may grant a one
hundred eighth(180) day extension in writing on a one-time basis if the
failure to take a substantial step was due to circumstances beyond the
control of the applicant. Provisions of this section do not exempt the city
from the time periods for actions under RCW 36.70B.080 and 12 01 180
KC .
B. Absent statute or ordinance provisions to the contrary, permits or
land use approvals listed in 12.01.040 of this chapter for which the use is
not begun or the work is not completed within three hundred sixty-five
(365) days after permit issuance or final decision will expire and become
null and void. The issued permit or land use approvals will clearly state
this requirement for expiration, where applicable. The planning director
may grant a one hundred eighty (180) day extension in writing on a one-
time basis if the failure to begin the use or complete the work was due to
circumstances beyond the control of the applicant.
cant.
C. Site plan review approvals will expire and become null and void one
hundred eighty (180) days after approval unless:
1. Project permit applications for development of a substantial
portion of the site plan remain valid; or
2. Project permits for development of a substantial portion of the
site plan remain valid.
40 Administration of
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Ordinance
D. The Economic & Community Development Director may authorize
additional time extensions in rare or unique circumstances when the delay
is outside of the applicant's control, including but not limited to unusual
delay in obtaining permits or approvals from other agencies or
jurisdictions.
SECTION 20, - Amendment, Section 12.01.195 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.01.195. Closed record appeal.
A. This section shall allow for closed record appeals as provided in the
framework of KCC 12.01.040. A closed record appeal hearing shall be on
the record before the hearing body and no new evidence may be
presented, unless the new evidence is limited to information that could not
have been placed on the record previously.
B. Administrative appeals. Only parties of record may initiate an
administrative appeal on a project permit application.
C. Time to file. An appeal must be filed within fourteen (14) calendar
days following issuance of the notice of decision. Appeals must be
delivered to the planning services office by mail, personal delivery, or
reeeived- y-ftwglectronically before 4:30 p.m. on the last business day of
the appeal period.
D. Computation of time. For the purposes of computing the time for
filing an appeal, the day the notice of decision is rendered shall not be
included. The last day of the appeal period shall be included unless it is a
41 Administration of
Development Regulations
Ordinance
Saturday, Sunday, a day designated by RCW 1.16.050, or by the city's
ordinances as a legal holiday, then it also is excluded and the filing must
be completed on the next business day (RCW 35A.21.080).
E. Content of appeal. Appeals shall be in writing on forms provided by
the city, be accompanied by an appeal fee as set by the city council, and
contain the following information:
1. Appellant's name, address, and phone number;
2. Appellant's statement describing his or her standing to
appeal;
3. Identification of the application which is the subject of the
appeal;
4. Appellant's statement of grounds for appeal and the facts
upon which the appeal is based;
5. The relief sought, including the specific nature and extent;
and
6. A statement that the appellant has read the appeal and
believes the contents to be true, followed by the appellant's signature.
F. Effect. The timely filing of an appeal shall stay the effective date of
the decision until such time as the appeal is adjudicated by the hearing
examiner or city council.
42 Administration of
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G. Order of proceedings. The closed record appeal shall only be open
for oral argument by the parties to the appeal.
H. Burden of proof. The burden of proof is on the appellant.
SECTION 21. - Amendment. Section 12.04.193 of the Kent City
Code, entitled "City council closed record appeal" is repealed in its entirety.
SECTION 22. - Amendment. Section 12.04.195 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 12.04.195. Appeal to superior court.
The decision of the hearing examiner is final for short subdivisions and the
subdivisions unless it is appealed to
the superior court. Such appeal must be filed with the superior court within
twenty-one (21) calendar days from the date the decision was issued.
SECTION 23. - Amendment. Section 2.32.130 of the Kent City
Code is amended as follows:
Sec. 2.32.130. Decision and recommendation.
A. When the hearing examiner renders a decision or recommendation,
the hearing examiner shall make and enter written findings from the
record and conclusions therefrom which support such decision. The
decision shall be rendered within ten (10) working days following
conclusion of all testimony and hearings, unless a longer period is mutually
agreed to on the record by the applicant and the hearing examiner. The
copy of such decision, including findings and conclusions, shall be
43 Administration of
Development Regulations
Ordinance
transmitted electronically or by first class mail, to the applicant and other
parties of record in the case requesting the same. There shall be kept in
the planning department a signed affidavit which shall attest that each
mailing was sent in compliance with this provision.
B. In the case of Process IV applications requiring city council approval,
the hearing examiner shall file a decision with the city council at the
expiration of the period provided for reconsideration, or if reconsideration
is accepted, within ten (10) working days after the decision on
reconsideration.
SECTION 24. - Severabilitx. If any one or more section,
subsection, or sentence of this ordinance is held to be unconstitutional or
invalid, that decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of
this ordinance and the same shall maintain its full force and effect.
SECTION 25, - Corrections by City Clerk or Code Reviser. Upon
approval of the City Attorney, the City Clerk and the code reviser are
authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including the
correction of clerical errors; ordinance, section or subsection numbering;
or references to other local, state or federal laws, codes, rules, or
regulations.
SECTION 26, - Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and
be in force thirty (30) days from and after its passage and publication as
provided by law.
S E OOKE, MAYOR
44 Administration of
Development Regulations
Ordinance
ATTEST:
BRENDA JACOBER, C19
CLERK
- o
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
uuwk (Inc
TOR BRUBAKER, CITY ATTORNEY
PASSED: a r day of
APPROVED: day of , 20 -1
PUBLISHED: day of r 20/2,
I hereby certify that this is a true copy of Ordinance No.
passed by the City Council of the City of Kent, Washington, and approved
by the Mayor of the City of Kent as hereon indicated.
(SEAL)
BRENDA JACO r CITY CLERK
P TiviNrdm 61201 AdminigMon ofDev F493(V 2)d=
i
45 Administration of
Development Regulations
Ordinance