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SUBMITTED BLOGS

Entry Date:  January 4, 2006

Subject:  Western Washington Municipalities and Stormwater Design

Submitted by: Alta Cascade

Each city has its own codes, which vary when addressing stormwater design. The highest recognized authority as of January 2006 is the Washington Department of Ecology, who has implemented one of the most strict codes in the country. King County has recently adopted DOE standards, but many of the cities within King County still recognize prior versions of the King County Stormwater Design Manual -- some dating back to 1994. The same is true for cities in Pierce County. Pierce County has its own stormwater design manual and cities within Pierce County who have not adopted their own standards, generally follow the Pierce County standards. Some cities even within Pierce County recognize King County standards. For example, Edgewood, until recently still followed the King County 1994 manual (with exception to a few provisions it chose to modify). To the developer and engineer, becoming an expert in stormwater design requirements for multiple cities is a challenge and source of frustration as each municipality interprets the applicable standards a little differently. Depending on the reviewer, it literally can be a guessing game in trial and error in trying to find the right combination of features to get approval. Cost to either the engineer in preparing multiple designs or to the developer in forced compliance with constructing sometimes excessive features is of no concern to the authoritative body. Projects are dragged out over months or even years because of the discrepancies. We're all in favor of preserving the environment, but sometimes things get taken too far. 

So, how do we minimize the cost and time impacts?

 1) Encourage municipalities, county and state officials to set clear processes for approval. Kudos to King County for having process diagrams on its website for plat approvals. The process is arduous, but clearly defined. Pierce County should implement same, instead of its oversimplified checklist system. Cities also follow a checklist approach. More detail is needed to set realistic expectations.

 2) Become acquainted with the folks in authority. We have observed some leniency with over-the-top standards which if implemented, would render a project financially infeasible. Having a good relationship with those in authority stimulates cooperation rather than an "us versus them" scenario.

 3) Don't cut corners! Every effort must be made to abide by the standards. Exceptions come where demonstrated inability to meet the standards are proven. Developers who try to cut corners for cost savings to get around standards are invariably disappointed and lose time and money 'bucking' the system.

 4) Have sufficient funds on hand for a long process: If you're betting your mortgage on an approval date for a short plat, you're setting yourself up for disaster. The days of shoe string budgets for simple land development in Western Washington are largely behind us.