Volume 2: Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement

GORST PLANNED ACTION EIS | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURESEvery alternative would slightly increase regional VMT, which would contribute to tailpipe emissions throughoutthe Puget Sound region. When added to the forecast population and economic growth throughout the region, theincreased emissions caused by development in the Gorst study area could slightly contribute to future worseningof air regional quality.Future development within the Gorst study area would also contribute to worldwide emissions of GHG, whichwould contribute to potential future effects caused by global climate change (e.g., changes in seasonaltemperature, seasonal precipitation, and local seawater rise).Mitigation MeasuresIncorporated Plan FeatureThe Gorst Subarea Plan includes policies promoting compact development as well as a policy on adapting to sealevel rise. It also includes policies promoting incentives for increased heights and densities, increased landscaping,and energy reduction that could encourage GHG reduction.Kitsap County Comprehensive PlanThe Gorst UGA and portions of the Gorst Watershed are located within unincorporated Kitsap County. The LandUse and Transportation elements of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan include a number of goals and policiesthat could contribute to reducing GHG emissions, including:• LAND USE GOAL 6: Encourage and reinforce development patterns within UGAs that are distinct from those inrural areas:oooPolicy LU-26. Encourage compact development patters within UGAs, allowing for efficiencies intransportation and utilities, as well as public and capital facilities.Policy LU-28. Encourage development patterns in UGAs that support pedestrian connectivity betweenneighborhoods and community destinations where possible.Policy LU-29. Encourage development patterns in UGAs that support and encourage transit use, such as inand around more intensive nodes of mixed use development along major transportation corridors, andmajor employment centers.• LAND USE GOAL 14: Provide residential areas with convenient access to transportation, urban amenities, andgoods and services:oooPolicy LU-62. Encourage non-motorized and pedestrian linkages in UGAs.Policy LU-64. Provide density incentives in the UGA to encourage the provision of significant open space,community amenities, transportation-oriented planning and high quality design.Policy LU-65. Encourage development in residential zones to occur in a manner that results in the designand construction of an interconnected system of pedestrian and bicycle trails linking residentialneighborhoods with open spaces, recreational areas, transportation corridors and retail and employmentopportunities.• LAND USE GOAL 15: Focus most commercial growth within the UGAs where most of the Kitsap County's futurepopulation growth will be guided and where urban public services and facilities will be provided:oPolicy LU-69. Create a new Mixed Use zone, which focuses on pedestrian-friendly urban development, tobe applied within UGAs.• LAND USE GOAL 18: Encourage an attractively designed commercial land use pattern:oPolicy LU-87. Encourage commercial areas to be compact to encourage pedestrian and non-motorizedtravel and transit use.Draft | June 2013 3-41