PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-22 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts of the project in the immediate vicinity would result largely from the number of additional residents, lot sizes, type of development, and location. Alternatives 1 and 2 with 443 units and additional development at rural densities would result in 773 cumulative lots or units in the project vicinity. Alternatives 3A, 3B, and 4 with 147 units would result in 477 lots, Alternative 3C with 33 lots would result in 363 lots in the project vicinity, and Alternative 5 with 113 lots would result in 443 lots in the vicinity. In general, risk and resources needed for fire suppression would be less than the proposed PUD because of the minimum 3-acre lot size and in the cases of Alternatives 3C, 4, and 5 flatter terrain, which would tend to reduce the risk of fire spreading and facilitate faster response. If Alternatives 1 or 2 were approved, they may provide the precedent for similar development of other properties in the vicinity at the same overall density. Most of the lots outside Marian Meadows would be on the flat valley floor and at an average of 1 acre each. Distance between structures would be less than with 3-acre lots under existing zoning and would increase the risk of spread of fire for structure fires and wildfires. Public Services – Police and Public Safety In general, the additional population in the area would lead to increased demand for police response. That response would demand service from whatever police officers from the sheriff’s department and other agencies, such as the state patrol, are available. A higher level of response would be reflected in more responses per shift, but may not affect the ability of personnel to respond, unless a number of incidents overlap, or incidents involving a threat to persons require a backup response that would likely involve response from multiple agencies. The likely effect noticed by local residents would be less frequent presence of officers patrolling the area, or longer response time to calls. The likely effect on personnel would be busier shifts and a perception of greater risk to them from multiple calls. Public Service – Medical Response The volunteer fire department’s ability to respond to cumulative demand is largely dependent on the volunteer pool, which generally is increased by more population, but may be reduced by a greater proportion of residents commuting outside the area or seasonal residents. The long-term impacts on the fire district of fire and emergency medical response may be to encourage a transition to a core paid staff that can respond during working hours when volunteers are less likely to be available. Hospital District No. 2 is likely to be able to respond to cumulative demand by adding more equipment and personnel because it relies on paid staff, provided that local assessments provide adequate resources, or voters approve additional assessments. Additional development in the area is likely to add enough tax revenue to offset additional costs. In addition, cumulative development in the Easton area is likely to be a relatively smaller component of the hospital district’s demand compared to growth in the Cle Elum/Roslyn/Suncadia area.