Ordinance 33180006.150197
MRK
07/10/00
ORDINANCE NO. 3318
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, RELATING TO ZONING AND PLANNING;
REPEALING THE EXISTING SHORELINE MASTER
PROGRAM AS CODIFIED IN ECDC CHAPTERS 15.35 —
15.39; ADOPTING AS AN INTERIM LAND USE
REGULATION A REVISED SHORELINE MASTER
PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH RCW 90.58;
PROVIDING FOR FUTURE REVIEW OF THE SAME;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND FIXING A TIME
WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Shoreline Management Act of 1971, Chapter 90.58
RCW, the City of Edmonds is required to adopt a shoreline master program to implement the
goals and policies as set forth in RCW 90.58.020 for the use and development of the shorelines
and shorelands within the City's jurisdiction, and;
WHEREAS, the City's currently adopted shoreline master program, Chapters
15.35 — 15.39 ECDC, was originally adopted in the mid- 1970's and has since become obsolete
and is no longer consistent with the City's current development regulations; and,
WHEREAS, in 1994 the City of Edmonds received federal grant funding to
develop and adopt a revised shoreline master plan, and,
WHEREAS, through substantial public and agency participation, a revised
shoreline master program has been prepared and forwarded to the Planning Board for review and
consideration; and
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WHEREAS, the Planning Board has conducted numerous public meetings,
workshops, and hearings on the proposed shoreline master plan revision and has recommended
its adoption to the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the City will need to further review and revise its shoreline master
program to ensure consistency with the final Shoreline Management Act regulation amendments
to be adopted by the Department of Ecology as well as the recently adopted Endangered Species
Act regulations adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council has held workshops, public meetings, and a public
hearing on the revised Shoreline Master Program recommended by the Planning Board and has
made certain revisions thereto; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the public interest to proceed with
adoption of the revised shoreline master program, as finally revised by the Council, as an interim
development regulation under the authority of RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35A.63.220.
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative Findings. The Edmonds City Council hereby makes the
following legislative findings:
A. The Edmonds Shoreline Master Program, as presently codified in Chapters
15.35 — 15.39 of the Edmonds Community Development Code, is declared to be obsolete and no
longer consistent with the City's comprehensive plan and more recently adopted development
regulations.
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B. In 1994, pursuant to federal grant funding, the City Council appointed a
technical advisory committee to review the existing Shorelines Master Program and make
recommendations to the Planning Board for revisions and amendments to update and improve
such program consistent with the comprehensive plan and critical areas regulations. Said
committee consisted of representatives from the City of Edmonds, Port of Edmonds, Burlington
Northern & Santa Fe Railroad, Unocal, Washington State Ferries, Washington State Dept. of
Ecology, Washington State Dept. of Transportation, Town of Woodway, Snohomish County and
Edmonds citizens.
C. The technical advisory committee held eleven public meetings between
the months of November 1994 and August 1996 and developed a revised shoreline master
program that was recommended to the Edmonds Planning Board for review and consideration.
D. The Edmonds Planning Board reviewed and considered the proposed
shoreline master program revision over the period of May 1996 to November 1998. The
Planning Board held nine public meetings and workshops on the proposed master plan and
conducted six public hearings thereupon. The Board directed that the draft master plan be
distributed to members of the public and to federal and state agencies with an interest in the
development of the Edmonds Shoreline. The draft master plan was distributed to the following
agencies for review and comment:
1) Washington State Department of Ecology
2) Washington State Department of Natural Resources
3) Washington State Department of Transportation
4). Washington State Department of Fisheries
5). Washington State Department of Health
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6). Washington State Department of Army
7). Washington State Department of Wildlife
8). Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railroad
8). Puget Sound Water Quality
9). Parks and Recreation Commission
10). Puget Sound Regional Council
11). Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic
Development
12). Tulalip Tribal Council
13). City of Lynnwood
14). City of Mountlake Terrace
15). Town of Woodway
A substantial number of comments were received from interested agencies and persons.
E. The Edmonds Planning Board reviewed the comments received, held public
meetings, workshops, and hearings, and recommended a draft revised Shoreline Master Program
to the City Council on August 13, 1997.
F. Since the recommendation of the Planning Board, several recent developments
affecting the development and use of the shorelines has occurred. The Washington State
Department of Ecology has proposed revised guidelines and regulations to govern the contents
and requirements of shoreline master programs. Such guidelines and regulations have not yet
been finally adopted. In addition, the National Marine Fisheries Service has listed several stocks
of salmon and steelhead as threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act and has
promulgated certain regulations to provide for the protection and conservation of such species.
Such federal regulations are to take effect in December, 2000.
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G. The City has reviewed the proposed shoreline master program recommended by
the Planning Board under the provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act "SEPA" (RCW
Chapter 43.21C) and has issued a threshold determination of Nonsignificance on August 15,
1996.
H. In accordance with RCW 36.70A.106, the proposed shoreline master program
development regulations were transmitted to the Washington State Department of Community,
Trade, and Economic Development for review and comment on August 15, 1996. No comments
have since been received.
I. The City Council held several workshops and meetings on the adoption of the
revised shoreline master program and held a public hearing on the adoption of the program as an
interim development regulation on June 27, 2000.
J. The Council finds that there has been substantial public participation in the
development of the revised shoreline master program and that the requirements of RCW
36.70A.140 are satisfied.
K. The Council further finds that the adoption of the proposed revised shoreline
master plan is consistent with the City's comprehensive plan and existing development
regulations and will provide for the responsible protection, preservation, development and use of
the Edmonds shorelines in accordance with those policies set forth in RCW 90.58.020.
L. The Council thereby finds that it is in the public interest to proceed with adoption
of the proposed revised shoreline master program as an interim development regulation, and to
implement such master program until such time as that program may be reviewed and revised for
consistency with the most recent federal and state regulatory enactments and amendments
affecting the use and development of the shorelines.
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Section 2. Repealer. The Edmonds Shoreline Master Program, as presently
codified in ECDC Chapters 15.35, 15.36, 15.37, 15.38, and 15.39 is hereby repealed in its
entirety.
Section 3. Adoption of Revised Shoreline Master Plan. A revised shoreline
master program is hereby adopted as an interim development regulation in accordance with
RCW 36.70A.390 and 35A.63.220, the required public hearing having been held prior to
adoption. Such revised shoreline master program shall read as set forth in Attachment "A ",
which attachment is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth herein, and to be codified as
Edmonds Community Development Code Chapter 23.10.
Section 4. Report to Council. The Community Services Director is hereby
directed to review the revised shoreline master program as adopted herein for consistency with
the recently proposed and /or adopted state and federal regulations pertaining to development and
use of the shorelines and /or the protection of threatened species. The Director shall report back to
the Council no later than six (6) months, regarding the consistency of the shoreline master
program with such regulations and any revisions or modifications that are necessary or
recommended.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. The interim shoreline master program adopted herein
shall become effective upon approval by the Washington State Department of Ecology in
accordance with RCW 90.58.090(6) and WAC 173 -26 -120.
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APPROVED:
MA ItIOR, G HAAKENSON
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED :
-W-� 'ap. e4z-v.�
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BYrce
MICHAEL R.
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 07/14/2000
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 07/18/2000
PUBLISHED: 07/26/2000
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Approval of Department of Ecology
ORDINANCE NO. 3318 *Approved by Department of Ecology on 10/30/00
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SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 3318
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the 18th day of July, 2000, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed
Ordinance No. 3318. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the title,
provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, RELATING TO ZONING AND PLANNING;
REPEALING THE EXISTING SHORELINE MASTER
PROGRAM AS CODIFIED IN ECDC CHAPTERS 15.35 —
15.39; ADOPTING AS AN INTERIM LAND USE
REGULATION A REVISED SHORELINE MASTER
PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH RCW 90.58;
PROVIDING FOR FUTURE REVIEW OF THE SAME;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND FIXING A TIME
WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request.
DATED this 191h day of July, 2000.
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
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2
CITY OF EDMONDS
GRANT NO. G9500015
l�7C. 1 g9\3
CITY OF EDMONDS SHORELINE
MASTER PROGRAM
JULY 189 2000
The report was funded in part through a cooperative
agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
The views expressed herein are those of the author and do
not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-
agencies.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
MAYOR
GARY HAAKENSON
CITY COUNCIL: Tom Miller, Council President
Chris Davis
Dave Earling
Dave Orvis
Lora Petso
Michael Plunkett
Jim White
PLANNING BOARD: Lynn Lacy, Chair
James Pidduck, Vice -Chair
John Dewhirst
Gary Grayson
Bruce Witenberg
Marlo Massie
Steven Cobb
Lois Hopkins, Alternate
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mayor Barbara Fahey, City of Edmonds
Ray Deardorf, Ping. Dir., WSF
Robert Fritzen, Department of Ecology
Lawrence Hard, LeSourd & Patten, P.S.
Brian Holling, Asst. Project Eng., WSF
Carl Kellar, UNOCAL
Paul Mar, Comm. Srvcs. Dir., City of Edmonds
Arvilla Ohlde, Parks Mgr., City of Edmonds
Lee Stilson, Dept. of Natural Resources
Jim Walker, City Engineer, City of Edmonds
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Robert Chave, Ping. Mgr., City of Edmonds
Mayor Ross Wood, Town of Woodway .
LeRoy Hall, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
John Hjort
Steve Holt, Ping. Dir., Snohomish County
Chris Kuess, Edmonds Planning Board
Ken Mattson
Phil Olbrechts, City Attorney, City of Edmonds
William Toskey, Exec. Dir., Port of Edmonds
PREPARED BY
CITY OF EDMONDS PLANNING DIVISION
Jeffrey S. Wilson, Current Planning Supervisor
Steve Bullock, Senior Planner
Diane Cunningham, Secretary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE 23 — NATURAL RESOURCES ....................................................................................... ..............................1
CHAPTER 23.10 — SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM ........................................................................ ............................... 1
23.10.05 Organization ........................................................................................................ ..............................1
PART I — INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ ..............................2
23.10.10 User Guide .......................................................................................................... ............................... 2
23.10.15 Objectives of this Master Program ..................................................................... ............................... 2
23.10.20 Adoption Authority .............................................................................................. ..............................2
23.10.25 Applicability ....................................................................................................... ............................... 2
23.10.30 Relationship to Other Codes and Ordinances ..................................................... ..............................2
23.10.35 Procedures ........................................................................................................... ..............................3
23.10.40 Policies and Regulations ..................................................................................... ..............................3
23.10.45 Definitions .......................................................................................................... ............................... 3
PART 11— GOALS AND POLICIES .......................................................................................... .............................13
23.10.50
User Guide ..........................................................................................................
.............................13
23.10.55
Adoption by Reference ........................................................................................
.............................13
23.10.60
Shoreline Use Element Goals and Policies ........................................................
...:.........................13
23.10.65
Economic Development Element Goal and Policies ..........................................
.............................15
23.10.70
Circulation Element Goal and Policies ..............................................................
.............................17
23.10.75
Public Access Element Goal and Policies ..........................................................
.............................18
23.10.80
Recreational Element Goal and Policies ............................................................
.............................19
23.10.85
Conservation Element Goal and Policies .........................................................
............................... 19
23.10.90
Historical /Cultural Element Goal and Policies ................................................
............................... 20
23.10.95
Urban Design Element Goal and Policies ........................................................
............................... 21
PART III — ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNATIONS ................................................................ .............................22
23.10.100 User Guide .................................................................................................... ............................... 22
23.10.105 Adoption Criteria ............................................................................................ .............................22
23.10.110 Map Adopted by Reference ........................................................................... ............................... 24
PART IV — USE REGULATIONS .............................................................................................. .............................25
23.10.115
User Guide .................................................................................................... ...............................
25
23.10.120
Shoreline Uses, Developments and Activities ............................................... ...............................
25
23.10.125
Flexibility With a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit ................................... ...............................
28
23.10.130
General Regulations — Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Critical Areas ..............................
28
23.10.135
General Regulations — Historical and Archeological Resources ................. ...............................
28
23.10.140
General Regulations — Parking .................................................................... ...............................
29
23.10.145
General Regulations — Public Access ........................................................... ...............................
29
23.10.150
Use Regulations — Detached Dwelling Units ............................................... ...............................
31
23.10.155
Use Regulations — Mixed -Use Commercial .................................................. ...............................
33
23.10.160
Use Regulations — Moorage Structures and Facilities ................................. ...............................
35
23.10.165
Use Regulations — Railroads ........................................................................ ...............................
38
23.10.170
Use Regulations — Ferry Terminals .............................................................. ...............................
40
23.10.175
Use Regulations — Utilities, Government Facilities, and Transportation Systems ......................
40
23.10.180
Use Regulations — Public Parks and Public Recreation Facilities .............. ...............................
42
23.10.185
Use Regulations — Public Access Pier or Boardwalk ................................... ...............................
43
23.10.190
Use Regulations — Bulkheads and Similar Structures .................................. ...............................
43
23.10.195
Use Regulations —Breakwaters and Similar Structures ............................... ...............................
44
23.10.200
Special Regulations — Dredging ................................................................... ...............................
45
23.10.205
Special Regulations — Filling ....................................................................... ...............................
46
23.10.210
General Regulations — Land Surface Modification ...................................... ...............................
47
23.10.215
Special Regulations — Authority of the City .................................................. ...............................
48
23.10.220
Special Regulations — Nonconformance ....................................................... ...............................
48
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PARTV — APP. ENDICES ............................................................................................................ .............................50
23.10.230 Map of Shoreline Environments and Jurisdictions ....................................... ............................... 50
23.10.250 Interpretations of this Master Program ........................................................ ............................... 50
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TITLE
23 — NATURAL RESOURCES
CHAPTER
23.10 —SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM
Part I
Introduction
Part 11
Goals and Policies
Part III
Environmental Designations
Part IV
Regulations
Part V
Appendices
23.10.05 Organization
This Chapter is divided into the following four Parts, consistent with the material to be
included within a master program as established in Chapter 173 -16 WAC:
1. Part 1, Sections 23.10.10 through 23.10.45, contain basic and general information
regarding the Shoreline Master Program.
2. Part II, Sections 23.10.50 through 23.10.95, contain the City's goals and policies
with respect to the seven program elements established in Chapter 173 -16 WAC.
3. Part II1, Sections 23.10.100 through 23.10.110, contain information regarding the
different shoreline environments to be found within the City.
4. Part IV, Sections 23.10.115 through 23.10.220, contain regulations that apply to the
various uses, developments, and activities .that are regulated under the Shoreline
Master Program.
5. Part V, Sections 23.10.225 through the end of this chapter, contains appendices
pertaining to this chapter.
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PART I — INTRODUCTION
23.10.10 User Guide
This Part, Sections 23.10.10 though 23.10.45, contains basic information regarding the
applicability of the Shoreline Master Program, the relationship of the Shoreline Master
Program to other documents, and how to use the Shoreline Master Program. It also
contains the definitions that will be used throughout the Shoreline Master Program.
23.10.15 Objectives of this Master Program
This Master Program, in harmony with the Shoreline Management Act of 1971, is based on
the philosophy that the shorelines of the State and our City are among the most valuable
and fragile resources that we possess. The Shoreline Management Act made clear that
there is a great public concern regarding the use, protection, restoration; and preservation
of these shorelines, which concern is the premise of this Master Program. In recognition of
private property rights, local public opinion, existing realities, and the necessary
coordination between several levels of government, this program represents an approach
toward the enhancement of shorelines rather. than the restriction of their use.
23.10.20 Adoption Authority
This title, Chapter 23.10 of the Edmonds Community Development Code., is hereby
adopted as the Shoreline Master Program for the City of Edmonds. It is adopted under the
authority of Chapter 90.58 RCW and Chapter 173 -16 WAC, as now or hereafter amended.
23.10.25 Applicability
Pursuant to Section 35.21.160 RCW, the regulations of this Chapter apply to all shorelines
of statewide significance within the City and to the waters and underlying land of the Puget
Sound extending to the middle of Puget Sound from the shoreline of the City between the
northern and southern limits of the City. These regulations do not apply to any portion of a
one - hundred (100) year floodplain in the City that does not otherwise meet the definition
of shoreline.
23.10.30 Relationship to Other Codes and Ordinances
I . General — Most of the uses, developments, and activities regulated in this Chapter
are also covered by the Edmonds Community Development Code and various other
provisions of city, state and federal laws. The applicant must comply with all
applicable laws, prior to commencing any use, development, or activity of any
property governed by this Title.
2. Relationship to other plans — The Shoreline Master Program has been developed as
both a policy plan and a regulatory program. As such, the Shoreline Master Program
is a part of and was developed to be consistent with the City of Edmonds
Comprehensive Plan and its component elements.
3. Relationship to the Edmonds Community Development Code — The Edmonds
Community Development Code, Ordinance 2182, as amended, establishes specific
and detailed regulations for most of the uses, development, and activities regulated in
this Chapter. The Edmonds Community Development Code and this Chapter are
intended to operate together to produce coherent and thorough shoreline regulations.
Uses, developments and activities must comply with both the Edmonds Community
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Development Code and Shoreline Master Program in all cases. If there is a conflict
between the two, the more restrictive applies.
23.10.35 Procedures
Please see Chapters 20.55 and 20.100 of the Edmonds Community Development Code for
the procedures that the City will use to administer, implement and enforce the Shoreline
Master Program within the City, including the procedures that apply to Substantial
Development Permits, Shoreline Conditional Use Permits, and Shoreline Variances.
23.10.40 Policies and Regulations
It is the intent of the City that regulations contained within Part IV (Sections 23.10.115
through 23.10.220) of this Chapter are mandatory in nature and that a use, development, or
activity is not allowable unless it specifically complies with each applicable provision
within Part IV. The goals and policies in Part II (Sections 23.10.50 through 23.10.95) of
this Chapter are intended to form the policy for shoreline uses, developments, and
activities, as the basis of the regulations in Part IV and to assist the City in determining
whether to grant, modify and grant, or deny each proposed use, development, or activity.
23.10.45 Definitions
1. Adoption by Reference — The definitions in Chapter 90.58 RCW and Chapters 173-
27 and 173 -16 WAC as now or hereafter amended are hereby adopted by reference
and apply in this Chapter of the Edmonds Community Development Code unless,
from the context, another meaning is clearly intended. If there is a difference in
definition of a term between Chapter 90.58 RCW and Chapters 173 -27 and 173 -16
WAC, the more detailed definition shall be applied, unless the difference constitutes
an inconsistency, in which case the definitions supplied by Chapter 90.58 RCW shall
apply.
2. Additional Definitions — In addition to the definitions adopted by reference above,
the following definitions apply throughout this Chapter of the Edmonds Community
Development Code unless, from the context, another meaning is clearly intended:
.005. Abandoned — Knowing relinquishment of right or claim to the subject
property or structure on that property.
010. Accessory — A use, activity, structure or part of a structure which is
demonstrably subordinate and incidental to the main activity or structure on
the subject property.
015. Accessory Building — One which is subordinate to the main building, and is
incidental to the use of the main building on the same lot.
.020. Alteration(s) - A change or rearrangement of the structural parts of existing
facilities or an enlargement by extending the sides or increasing the height or
depth or the moving from one location to another.
.025. Applicant — A person who applies for any permit or approval to do anything
governed by this Code and who is either the owner of the subject property,
the authorized agent of the owner, or the City.
030. Appurtenance - A structure or development which is necessarily connected to
the use and enjoyment of a single - family residence and is located landward of
the ordinary high water mark and also of the perimeter of any marsh, bog, or
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swamp. "Normal Appurtenances" shall be defined in accordance with WAC
173- 27- 040(l)(g).
.035. Average Grade Level —
1. UUgland — The average elevation of the topography prior to any
development activity, at the center of all exterior walls of a building or
structure.
Formula: Average Grade Level =
(Mid -pt Elev. x Length of Wall .Seg.) + (Mid -pt Elev. x Length of Wall Seg.)...
(Length of Wall Segment) + (Length of Wall Segment)...
(See Part V, Section 23.10.235)
2. Waterward — The elevation of the ordinary high water mark.
.040. Average Parcel Depth — The average of the. distances from the ordinary high
water mark to the street providing direct access to the subject property as
measured along the side property lines or the extension of those lines where
the water frontage of the subject property ends, the center of the ordinary high
water mark of the subject property and the quarter points of the ordinary high
water mark of the subject property. (See Part V, Section 23.10.240)
.045. Average Parcel Width — The average of the distances between side property
lines as measured along the ordinary high water mark and the front property
line.
.050. Backfill — Material placed into an excavated area, pit, trench or behind a
constructed retaining wall, rockery or foundation.
.055. Boat Launch or Ramp — Graded slopes, slabs, pads, planks, or rails used for .
launching boats by means of a trailer, hand, or mechanical device.
.060. Buoy — A floating object anchored to the bottom of a water body.
065. Breakwater Offshore structure generally aligned parallel to shore,
sometimes shore - connected, that provides protection from waves:
070. Building — Any structure having a roof, excluding all forms of vehicles even
though immobilized.
075. Bulkhead — A retaining wall whose primary purpose is to hold or prevent the
backfill from sliding while providing protection against light -to- moderate
wave action.
080. Cily — The City of Edmonds, a municipal corporation.
085. Commercial Use — An activity with goods, merchandise, or services for sale
or rent.
090. Comprehensive Plan — Ordinance 3030 as amended or if repealed, its
successor document, listing the goals and policies regarding land use within
the City.
095. Contour Line — A line on a map or on the earth representing a specific
elevation above sea level or an elevation relative to a specific datum point.
.100.. Critical Areas — Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently
flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, streams, and wetlands.
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.105. Cross - section (Drawing) — A visual representation of a vertical cut through a
structure or any other three - dimensional form.
.110. Dedication — The deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for public use
or purpose, reserving no other rights than those that are compatible with the
full exercise and enjoyment of the public use or purpose to which the property
has been devoted.
.115. Development Permit — Any permit or approval under this Code or ECDC that
must be issued before initiating a use or development activity.
.120. Dock — A structure designed to protrude overwater or float upon the water,
and which is attached to the shoreline and is used for moorage or other water
related activity such as swimming or diving.
.125. Dredging — Removal of earth and other materials from the bottom of a body
of water or from a wetland.
.130. Dredging Spoils — The earth and other materials removed from the floor of a
body of water or wetland by the dredging process.
.135. Dry Land — The area of the subject property landward of the ordinary high
water mark.
.140. Dwelling Unit — A building providing complete housekeeping facilities for
one family. Dwelling unit does not include recreational vehicles or mobile
homes.
.145. Dwelling Unit, Attached — A dwelling unit that has one or more vertical walls
in common with or attached to one or more other dwelling units or other uses
and does not have other dwelling units or uses above or below it.
150. Dwelling Unit, Detached — A dwelling unit that is not attached or physically
connected to any other dwelling unit or other use.
155. Dwelling Unit, Stacked — A dwelling unit that has one or more horizontal
walls in common with or adjacent to one or more other dwelling units or other
uses and may have one or more vertical walls in common with or adjacent to
one or more other dwelling units or other uses.
160.. ECDC — The "Edmonds Community Development Code."
.165. Easement — Land which has specific air, surface or subsurface rights
conveyed for use by an entity other than the owner of the subject property or
to benefit some property other than the subject property.
.170. Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) — Ordinance 2182 as
amended or, if repealed, its successor document.
.175. Enhancement Alteration of an existing resource to improve or increase its
characteristics and processes without degrading other existing functions.
Enhancements are to be distinguished from resource creation or restoration
projects.
.180. Environmentally Sensitive Areas — An area designated and mapped by a city
under Chapter 197 -11 -908, WAC, as now or hereafter. amended. Certain
categorical exemptions do not apply within environmentally sensitive areas
(Chapters 197 -11 -305 and 197 -11 -908, WAC, as now or hereafter amended).
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.185. Erosion and Deposition — The removal of soils and the placement of these
removed soils elsewhere by natural forces such as wind or water.
.190. Excavate(tion) — The mechanical removal of soils and /or underlying strata.
.195. Feasible — Capable of being done, executed, affected or accomplished.
Reasonable assurance of success.
.200. Ferry Terminal — A combination of waterward and upland improvements
providing the interface between public /private water -borne transportation and
public /private ground transportation.
.205. Fill — The placement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, existing sediment or other
material (excluding solid waste) to create new land, tideland, or bottom land
along the shoreline waterward of the ordinary high water mark or on wetland
or upland areas in order to raise the elevation.
.210. Fill Material — Dirt, structural rock or gravel, broken concrete and similar
structural substances customarily used to raise the level of the ground, but
excluding topsoil, bark, ornamental rocks or gravel placed on the surface of
the ground.
.215. Float, Recreational — An offshore platform /buoy used for water - dependent
activities such as, but not limited to, swimming and diving.
.220. Gabions — Structures composed of masses of rocks, rubble or masonry held
tightly together usually by wire mesh so as to form blocks or walls.
Sometimes uses on heavy erosion areas to retard wave action or as
foundations for breakwaters or jetties.
.225. Government Facility — A use consisting of services and facilities operated by
any level of government, excluding those listed separately in this Code.
.230. Grading — The physical manipulation of the earth's surface and /or drainage
pattern in preparation for an intended use or activity.
.235. Haines Wharf — Lots 7 through 11 in the Plat of Meadowdale Tidelands.
.240. Hotel- Any building containing five or more separately occupied rooms that
are rented out for sleeping purposes. A central kitchen and dining room and
interior accessory shops and services catering to the general public can be
provided. Not included are institutions housing persons under legal restraint
or requiring medical attention or care.
.245. Improvement — Any structure or man -made feature.
.250. Inner Harbor Line — The line designated as such by the State Harbor Line
Commission pursuant to Article XV, Washington State Constitution. (see
Part V, Section 23.10.230)
.255. Land Surface Modification — The clearing or removal of trees, shrubs, ground
cover and other vegetation, and all grading, excavation and filling of
materials. The removal of overhanging vegetation and fire hazards as
specified in Section 18.45.030.E, ECDC, shall not be deemed to be land
surface modifications.
.260. Landscaping — The planting, removal and maintenance of vegetation along
with the movement and displacement of earth, topsoil, rock, bark and similar
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substances done in conjunction with the planting; removal and maintenance
of vegetation.
.265. Landward — Upland from the ordinary high water mark.
.270. Lot — A single tract of land legally created as a separate building site with
frontage on a street or access easement. For purposes of this code the area of
the lot used to calculate lot area shall be the area of the lot which is upland of
the OHWM and adjoining lots under common ownership which were created
without subdivision or short subdivision approval from applicable city or
county governments. This lot area shall be considered as one lot and subject
to the regulations contained herein. The terms of this section shall apply
regardless of whether the individual adjoining lots meet current zoning
requirements.
.275. Marine Launcher — A mechanical device that can hoist vessels off trailers and
transport them into the water and often associated with dry land moorage
facilities.
.280. Master Plan — A complete development plan for the subject property showing
placement, dimensions and uses of all structures as well as streets and other
areas used for vehicular circulation.
.285. Mean Sea Level — The level of Puget Sound at zero tide as established by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
.290. Minor Appurtenant Building — Minor buildings associated with over -water
structures including but not limited to the following: storage buildings less
than 150 square feet in area, ferry terminal passenger shelter, covered
moorage, etc.
.295. Mixed -Use Commercial — Mixed -use developments are shoreline
developments which combine more than one separate but related activity into
a coordinated package. Activities usually include one or more water -
dependent uses with non -water dependent uses. Drive -in businesses are not
permitted.
.300. Moorage — A place to tie up or to anchor a waterborne craft.
.305. Mooring Bugy — A floating object anchored to the bottom of a water body
that provides tie up capabilities for waterborne craft.
.310. Moorage Facility — A pier, dock, dolphin, buoy or other structure providing
docking or moorage space for waterborne craft.
.315. Motel — A building containing units which are used as individual sleeping
units having their own private toilet facilities and sometimes their own
kitchen facilities, designed primarily for the accommodation of transient
automobile travelers. Accommodations for trailers are not included. This
term includes tourist court, motor lodge, auto court, cabin court, motor hotel,
motor inn and similar names.
.320. Multi -Modal Terminal (Facility) — A terminal (facility) designed for the co-
location of transportation loading and unloading by multiple forms of
transportation including land, water or rail.
.325. Non- Conformance — Any use, structure, lot, condition, activity, or any other
feature or element of private property or the use or utilization of private
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property that does not conform to any of the provisions of this Code or that
was not approved by the City through the appropriate decision- making
process required under this Code.
.330. Office ,Use) — A place of employment in a building or separately defined
space within a building providing services other than production, distribution
or sale or repair of goods or commodities. The following is a nonexclusive
list of office uses: accounting, architectural, engineering, consulting or other
similar professional services; management, administrative, secretarial,
marketing, advertising, personnel or other similar personnel services; sales
offices where no inventories or goods are available on the premises; real
estate, insurance, travel agent, brokerage or other similar services. The
following uses are specifically excluded from the definition of office:
medical, dental, or other health care; veterinary; banks, loan companies and
similar financial institutions.
.335. Off - Street Parking — Motor vehicle parking facilities within the lot area of a
private lot or public lot established for that purpose.
340. Official Newspaper of the City — The publication designated by Ordinance or
Resolution to contain official newspaper publications for the City
government.
.345. Official Notification Boards of the City — The bulletin boards in the public
areas of the City of Edmonds Community Services Building, the Edmonds
Main Post Office Branch, and the Edmonds.Public Library.
.350. OHWM — Ordinary High Water Mark (see Section .360 below).
.355. Open Space Land not covered by buildings, roadways, parking areas or
other surfaces through which water cannot percolate into the underlying soils.
.360. Ordinary High Water Mark — As defined in Chapter 90.58.030(2)(b), Revised
Code of Washington as now or hereafter amended.
.365. Oriented - Facing or directed toward.
.370. Outer Harbor Line — The line designated as such by the State Harbor Line
Commission pursuant to Article XV, Washington State Constitution. (see
Part V, Section 23.10.230)
375. Parking Area — Any area designed and /or used for parking of vehicles.
380. Parking Space — An area which is improved, maintained and used for the sole
purpose of temporarily accommodating a motor vehicle that is not in use.
385. Pedestrian Orientation — Pertaining to facilities which encourage pedestrian
movement and are designed and oriented toward use by pedestrians.
390. Pier — A fixed structure which abuts the shoreline and is used for moorage or
other water - related activities such as fishing, swimming and diving.
.395. Planning Division — The Planning Division of the Community Services
Department of the City of Edmonds.
.400. Planning Manager — The Manager of the Planning Division of the City of
Edmonds or the acting Manager of that division.
.405. Planning Official — The Manager of the Planning Division or his /her
designee.
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.410. Port — A special purpose unit of local government created for the purpose of
managing port- related lands, facilities and activities. For the purposes of this
document, "Port" refers to the Port of Edmonds and its facilities and
operation.
.415. Prope , Line — Those lines enclosing a lot, its developable area and those
lines defining a recorded vehicular access easement. The following are
categories of property lines:
a. Front property line — is any property line that is adjacent to a street or
easement more than 20 -feet in width, except that the Burlington
Northern right -of -way shall not be considered a front property line.
b. Rear prope . line — is any property line that is farthest from and
essentially parallel to a front property line except on a lot which contains
two or more front property lines.
c. Side property line — is any property tine other than a front property line
,or a rear property line.
d. Ordinary High Water Mark — see Section .360. above for definition.
.420. . Public Access — Shoreline public access is the physical ability of the general
public to reach and touch the water's edge and /or the ability to have a view of
the water and the shoreline from upland locations. There are a variety of
types of public access including picnic areas, pathways and trails (including
disabled), floats and docks, promenades, viewing towers, bridges, boat
launches, street ends, ingress and egress, parking and other similar facilities
or locations.
.425. Public Access Pier or Boardwalk — An elevated structure or floating structure
which is constructed waterward of the ordinary high water mark and intended
for public use.
.430. Public Park — An area provided by a unit of government to meet the active or
passive recreational needs of people in the water and on the upland shoreline.
.435. Public Right -of -Way — Land dedicated to the movement of vehicles, and
pedestrians and providing for primary access to adjacent parcels and or public
water -borne transportation. Secondarily, the land provides space for utility
lines and appurtenances and other publicly -owned devices.
.440. Public Use Area — A portion of private property that is dedicated to public use
and which contains one or more of the following elements: benches, tables,
lawns, gardens, piers, exercise or play equipment or similar improvements or
features. These elements are to provide the public with recreational
opportunities in addition to the right to traverse or stand in this area.
.445. Public Utility — A private business organization such as a public service
corporation, including physical plant facilities, performing some public
service and subject to special governmental regulations, or a governmental
agency performing similar public services, the services by either of which are
paid for directly by the recipients thereof. Such services shall include but are
not limited to: water supply, waste water treatment, storm water treatment,
electric power, telephone, cablevision, gas, and transportation for persons and
freight.
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450. Railroad Right -of -Way — The land occupied by a railroad for its tracks, yard,
buildings, and related structures.
.455. Required Yard — Those areas adjacent to and interior from the property lines
and involving the following designations (if two required yards are
coincidental, the yard with the greater dimensions shall predominate):
a. Front: That portion of a lot adjacent to and parallel with any front
property lines and at a distance therefrom equal to the required front
yard depth.
b. Rear: That portion of a lot adjacent to and parallel with the rear property
line and at a distance therefrom equal to the required rear yard depth.
C. Side: That portion of a lot adjacent to and parallel with the side property
line and at a distance therefrom equal to the required side yard depth.
All yards not otherwise categorized shall be designated side yards.
d. Ordinary High Water Mark Yard: That portion of a lot adjacent to and
parallel with the ordinary high water mark and at a distance landward
therefrom equal to the required ordinary high water mark yard depth.
.460. Restaurant — A building where food is sold to the public for on- premises
consumption or to go. It may include alcoholic beverage service only if under
a Class "C," "D," or "H" state liquor license.
.465. Retail Establishment — A commercial enterprise which provides goods or
services directly to the consumer and whose goods are available for
immediate purchase and removal from the premises by the purchaser or
whose services are traditionally not permitted within an office use.
.470. Shoreline Conditional Use —A use or development which is specifically listed
by this Master Program as a conditional use within a particular shoreline
environment or a use which is not addressed by this master program within
any shoreline environment.
475. Shoreline Management Act (SMA) —Chapter 90.58 RCW as now or hereafter
amended.
.480. Shoreline Master Program — SMP (This) — The Ordinance of the City of
Edmonds adopted under authority of Chapter 90.58 RCW.
485. Shoreline Variance — A procedure to grant relief from the specific bulk,
dimensional or performance standards set forth in this master program, and
not a means to allow a use not otherwise permitted within a shoreline
environment.
.490. Silt or Sediment— The soil particles mobilized and deposited by the processes
of erosion and deposition.
.495. Street — The public or private right -of -way or access easement which provides
vehicular access to more than three lots.
.500. Structure — Anything which is built or constructed; an edifice or building of
any kind, or any piece of work artificially built -up or composed of parts
joined together in some definite manner. Not included are fences less than
six feet in height, retaining wall, rockeries, and similar improvements of a
minor character less than three feet in height.
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.505. Structural Alterations — Any change in a supporting member of a building or
structure.
.510. Subject Property — The entire lot, series of lots or parcels on which a
development or use is or will locate and that is otherwise subject to the
provision of this Code. For the purposes of this Chapter, land leased from the
Department of Natural Resources, which is contiguous to the applicant's
property, shall also be considered the "subject property."
.515. Use, development and /or activity — Means "development" as that term is
defined in Chapter 90.58, RCW. Use also means the nature of the activities
taking place on private property or within structures thereon.
.520. Vehicle Holding Area — Any area designated by the City or State for holding
vehicles prior to loading onto a ferry.
.525. Water - Dependent Use — A use or a portion of a use which is dependent on the
water by reason of the intrinsic nature of its operations and can not exist in
any other location . Examples of water - dependent uses may include ferry and
passenger terminals, marinas and sewer outfalls.
.530. Water - Enjoyment — A recreational use, or other use facilitating public access
to the shoreline as a primary characteristic of the use; or a use that provides
for recreational use or aesthetic enjoyment of the shoreline for a substantial
number of people as a general characteristic of the use and which through the
location, design and operation assures the public's ability to enjoy the
physical and aesthetic qualities of the shoreline. In order to qualify as a
water- enjoyment use, the use must be open to the general public and the
shoreline- oriented space within the project must be devoted to the specific
aspects of the use that fosters shoreline enjoyment. Primary water- enjoyment
uses may include, but are not limited to, parks, piers, scuba diving facilities
and other improvements facilitating public access to shorelines of the state;
and general water - enjoyment uses may include but are not limited to,
restaurants, museums, aquariums, scientific /ecological reserves, resorts and
mixed -use commercial; PROVIDED, that such uses conform to the above
water- enjoyment specifications and the provisions of the master program.
.535. Water- Oriented Use — Refers to any combination of water - dependent, water -
related, and /or water enjoyment uses and serves as an al]- encompassing
definition for priority under the SMA. Non water- oriented serves to describe
those uses which have little or no relationship to the shoreline and are not
considered priority uses under the SMA. Examples include professional
offices, automobile sales or repair shops, mini- storage facilities, multifamily
residential development, department stores and gas stations.
.540. Water- Related — A use or a portion of a use which is not intrinsically
dependent on a waterfront location but whose economic viability is dependent
upon a waterfront location because:
a. Of a functional requirement for a waterfront location such as the arrival
or shipment of materials by water or the need for large quantities of
water; or,
b. The use provides a necessary service supportive of the water - dependent
commercial activities and that the proximity of the use to its customers
makes its services less expensive and /or more convenient.
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545. Waterward — Toward the body of water.
550. Wetlands - As defined in Chapter 90.58 RCW.
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PART II - GOALS AND POLICIES
23.10.50 User Guide
This Part, Sections 23.10.50 though 23.10.95, establishes goals and policies for uses,
developments and activities on the shorelines of the City. These goals and policies are
categorized under the topic headings established in Chapter 173 -16 WAC, as now or
hereafter amended.
23.10.55 Adoption by Reference
The City hereby adopts the policies enunciated in Section 90.58.020, RCW, as now or
hereafter amended.
23.10.60 Shoreline Use Element Goals and Policies
Goals
a. It is a goal of the City to allow for a diversity of uses within the shoreline area
consistent with the dramatically different character of the various shorelines
within the city, and to preserve and enhance the natural and aesthetic quality of
important shoreline areas while allowing for reasonable development which
meet the goals and policies of the Shoreline Management Act.
b. Provide performance and development standards for shoreline uses which
achieve compatibility among activities.
C. Reserve shoreline and water areas particularly suited for specific and
appropriate uses, especially water - oriented and water- dependent uses, for such
uses whether they are existing or potential.
d. Establish and implement policies and regulations for shoreline use consistent
with the Shoreline Management Act of 1971. These policies and regulations
should insure that the overall land use patterns in shoreline areas are
compatible with existing shoreline environment designations and will be
sensitive to and not degrade habitat and ecological systems and other shoreline
resources.
e. Ensure that proposed shoreline uses are distributed, located and developed in a
manner that will maintain or improve the health, safety and welfare of the
public.
f. Ensure that proposed shoreline uses do not minimize the rights of others or
infringe upon the rights of private ownership.
g. Encourage restoration of shoreline areas that have been degraded or
diminished in ecological value and functions as a result of past activities or
catastrophic events..
h. Ensure that planning, zoning and other regulatory and non - regulatory programs
governing lands adjacent to shoreline jurisdiction are consistent with SMA
policies and regulations and the provisions of this SMP.
Encourage increased accessibility to the shoreline for a variety of users and
activities.
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2. Policies
a. "Environmentally Sensitive Areas" and "Critical Areas" are to be protected
and regulated consistent with the City's Environmental Review and Critical
Areas regulations contained in Chapters 20.15A and 20.1513, ECDC.
b. New uses and developments in shoreline areas that have established and
desirable development patterns should be designed to be compatible with those
areas, provided the existing uses are consistent with the Shoreline
Management Act and this document.
C. In shoreline areas without established development patterns and which are not
unique or fragile the City should allow for a wide range of development
options consistent with the Edmonds Community Development Code within
established limits to protect the public interest.
Over -water structures other than ferry terminal passenger shelters, docks,
piers, walkways, breakwaters and other similar structures should be prohibited
with the exception of minor appurtenant buildings, buoys, divers resting floats,
and art sculpture.
e. Water- dependent uses should have priority over non - water- dependent uses in
the shoreline area. Nonetheless, uses such as drydocks, boat yards, and similar
marine enterprises . are incompatible with the character of the majority of the
shoreline area and should be limited to specific designated areas.
f. Uses in shoreline areas should not degrade water quality nor disrupt any more
than is essential the land covered by water and the land area adjacent to the
ordinary high water mark.
g. The pattern and distribution of land and water uses should be controlled and
encouraged in order to enhance the shoreline natural systems, protect against
their damage, and provide for their public use and enjoyment.
h. Multiple use of shorelines should be encouraged, with particular emphasis on
the use of shorelines in "urban environments" which lends to, the marine
atmosphere of the Edmonds waterfront and which provides for shoreline use
and enjoyment by large numbers of people for the purpose of discouraging the
usurpation of the limited urban.waterfront by any single use activity.
i. Shoreline use should be compatible with its site, in harmony with adjacent
uses, and consistent with long range comprehensive planning for waterfront
use.
Uses which adversely alter or degrade the defined shoreline "natural systems"
should be prohibited
k. The rehabilitation of "natural systems" (e.g. the improvement in water quality,
removal of beach obstructions, etc.) should be encouraged when opportune.
Shoreline use and development should be provided for through a process of
review and analysis that gives priority to:
(l) the protection and enhancement of the shoreline natural system;
(2) the provision for shoreline dependent uses;
(3) the provision for shoreline oriented uses; and,
(4) the accommodation of necessary uses that are neither shoreline
dependent nor shoreline oriented.
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The priority system will recognize, but not be limited to, the following criteria:
(1) Protect and enhance natural systems:
(a) Biological
i. Fish spawning, nursing, feeding areas, (beach, marshland,
aquatic vegetation, submerged land) — critical area — for
migrating fish;
ii. Waterfowl and water associated bird nesting, resting,
feeding and nursery areas;
iii. Shellfish life — supporting areas;
iv. Upland mammal breeding, rearing and feeding areas;
V. Upland plant growth areas (greenbelts, etc.);
vi. Aquatic (non -fish and non - shellfish) marine organisms life
supporting areas; and
vii. Other.
(a) Geological
i. Bluff and landslide areas;
ii. Beaches and tidelands — shoals and coves;
iii. Marshland and slough areas;
iv. Streams and ravines;
V. Below low water submerged lands — canyons, cliffs, rock
reefs, sand or mud flats, etc.; and
vi. Other.
(2) Provide for shoreline dependent uses, such as:
(a) Ferry and passenger terminals;
(b) Terminal and transfer facilities for marine commerce and industry;
(c) Marine and fresh water construction, dismantling and repair;
(d) Marinas — boats;
(e) Intakes and outfalls;
(f) Boat launch facilities;
(g) Shoreline recreation — including parks, bike and walking trails,
beaches, etc.;
(h) Water related recreation — including scuba diving, waterway trail
system, fishing, and small craft boating;
(i) Marine and limnological research, interpretative and education;
(j) Piers and related facilities for the loading and unloading of
petroleum products; and
(k) Other uses of like intensity and dependency.
23.10.65 Economic Development Element Goal and Policies
Goal — It is a goal of the City to encourage port facilities, tourist facilities, mixed
use, commercial and light industrial development in specific and limited shoreline
areas which enhance the public's access to the shoreline. The nature of this
economic development should attract, and be open to, the general public and should
not unduly interfere with the character of the shoreline area or with nearby shoreline
and upland uses. Where possible, the owner of uplands abutting pedestrian
waterfront activities should be encouraged to provide public art and cultural
amenities that promote aesthetic considerations.
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2. Policies
a. Mixed -use commercial and light industrial uses in the shoreline area should be
permitted only where compatible with existing or planned shoreline and
upland development, or where legal parcels of land can be aggregated to
minimize the impacts from the mixed -use commercial or light industrial use.
b. Mixed -use commercial and light industrial uses should be permitted only
where infrastructure, particularly the roadway system, is presently adequate or
is made adequate to accommodate the demands generated by commercial or
light industrial development.
C. Permitted mixed -use commercial and light industrial development in shoreline
areas should enhance opportunity for the public to take advantage of shoreline
amenities. Uses that support or enhance the opportunity for public access and
compliment the cultural arts related to the shoreline should be encouraged.
This might include uses wherein the public can view and enjoy the aesthetic
qualities of the shoreline and vista beyond.
d. Development should only be permitted in any "environmentally sensitive" or
"critical area," where the impacts to these areas are mitigated.
e. In shoreline areas where large tracts of land can be aggregated, some degree of
flexibility is appropriate to allow for innovative and planned site design within
parameters established by the City.
f. Incentives should be provided to encourage public and cultural art amenities
on private property.
g. Economic benefits derived from wildlife, marine and fish habitats, public
access, recreational scuba diving and tourism should be recognized and .
retained.
h. Priority should be given to those mixed -use commercial or light industrial uses
which are water - dependent.
i. The potential adverse effects of mixed -use commercial and light industrial
development on other activities should be minimized through local
performance standards.
j. New shoreline light industrial and commercial development should be limited
to that which is classified as water- dependent, water - related, or water -
enjoyment uses and non - water - oriented uses which are not accessory to a
water - oriented use should be discouraged and /or prohibited.
k. The recreational opportunities along the shoreline should be developed as an
economic asset in a manner that will enhance the public enjoyment of the
shorelines and in -water related activities.
1. Commercial activities in shoreline areas should be operated with minimum
adverse impact on the quality of the environment of the shoreline and adjacent
areas.
M. A broad support that fosters arts related enterprises and environment as a
unifying theme in the commercial downtown waterfront area should be
encouraged.
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23.10.70 Circulation Element Goal and Policies
Goals
a. It is the goal of the City to provide for the safe and efficient movement of
people and goods within the shoreline area while recognizing and enhancing
the unique, fragile and scenic character of the shoreline area with minimum
disruption to the shoreline environment and minimum conflict between the
different users.
b. It is the goal of the City to provide for emergency services access to the
shoreline area.
2. Policies
a. Railroad Avenue, Dayton Street, Main Street, Admiral Way, and Sunset
Avenue, which provide access to and through the City's accessible downtown
shoreline area, should be designed and regulated to safely accommodate the
vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic using these corridors, as well as to
facilitate egress and ingress from adjacent properties and to enhance the scenic
character and recreational use of this corridor, while recognizing that shoreline
uses should have primary access to Railroad Avenue and Admiral Way.
b. Whenever practicable, safe pedestrian. and bicycle movement on and off
roadways in the shoreline area should be encouraged as a means of personal
transportation and recreation.
C. Where new streets are needed to serve uses in the shoreline area, these streets
should be the minimum size necessary to provide safe and efficient vehicular,
pedestrian and bicycle access, including access for emergency vehicles, to the
properties to be served.
d. Public water -borne transportation linked to public and private forms of ground
transportation should be encouraged to minimize auto usage, and to eliminate
barriers between public water -borne transportation and ground transportation
in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
e. Recreational boating facilities including waterway trails and trailheads,
terminals, moorage, and service facilities should be provided for on publicly -
owned land and encourage the provision of such facilities on private property.
f. The provision for recreational boating facilities including waterway trails and
trailheads, terminals, moorage, and service facilities should be encouraged on
private property.
g. All transportation planning should be coordinated to provide efficient use and
transfer between modes while minimizing the adverse environmental impacts
of such facilities.
h. Circulation and transportation systems should be located, designed and
developed with respect to existing and /or planned rail, highway and ferry
facilities.
i. Public transit systems should be linked to the urban waterfront.
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23.10.75 Public Access Element Goal and Policies
1. Goals
a. It is a goal of the City to provide the maximum reasonable opportunity for the
public to view and enjoy the amenities of the shoreline area, while assuring
that such access does not contribute to intrusions upon private property,
nuisance, personal danger, or over - burdening of fragile natural resources.
b. Prepare and implement a comprehensive public access plan that incorporates
public access into new shoreline development and unifies individual public
access elements into an organized system.
Policies
a. The City should use street ends and other publicly owned or controlled land
within the shoreline area as a means of providing additional safe public access
to shoreline areas. When these types of areas are developed, the City should
also. provide for some associated limited off - street parking or public
transportation connection in order to minimize impacts to surrounding
properties.
b. The City should develop signage and informational programs which identify
and explain unique scenic and cultural opportunities. Furthermore, the City
should develop public information brochures and publications for distribution
which identify all locations for public access to the shorelines, and underwater
activities with information about each site location.
C. The City should maintain public shorelines, waterways and tidelands in public
ownership for continued public access and use.
d. The City, where practicable, should acquire key shoreline parcels that become
available: such parcels are those integral to necessary expansion of existing
prime beach areas.
e. With principal access to tidelands existing at public beaches to the north and
south, the City, where practicable, should acquire and develop safe convenient
intermediate public access for pedestrian access and water access to and use of
public tidelands and beaches.
f. Public pedestrian access for neighborhood use should be encouraged.
g. Art and cultural amenities should be provided along waterfront pedestrian
corridors wherever practicable.
h. Public access will be considered in the review of all private and public
developments (including land division) with the exception of one and two -
family dwelling units.
i. Developments, uses and activities on or near the shoreline should not impair or
detract from the public's access. to the water.
j. Public access should be provided as close as possible to the water's edge
without adversely affecting a sensitive environment and, if feasible, should be
designed with provisions for disabled and physically impaired persons.
k. Public access afforded by shoreline street ends, public utilities and rights -of-
way should be preserve, maintained and enhanced.
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Public access should be designed to provide for public safety and to minimize
potential impacts to private property and individual privacy.
M. Public views from the shoreline upland areas should be enhanced and
preserved. Enhancement of views-should not be construed to mean excessive
removal of vegetation which partially impairs views.
n. Visual access should be maintained, enhanced and preserved on shoreline
street ends, public utilities and rights -of -way and within public "view
corridors" as designated by the City.
23.10.80 Recreational Element Goal and Policies
Goal — It is the goal of the City to provide substantial recreational opportunities for
the public in shoreline areas through the preservation and expansion of these
opportunities through programs such as acquisition, development and maintenance.
2. Policies
a. The City should continue to acquire and develop park land within shoreline
areas. The City should also, where feasible, develop street ends within the
shoreline area to provide for public recreation. The nature and extent of
recreation opportunities provided within the various lands in the shoreline area
owned or controlled by the City depends on the nature of the area involved, the
amenities and natural resources to be found in that area, the location of the
area and the needs of the community.
b. Large or intensive private developments within the shoreline area should
provide some public recreation amenities, in addition to public pedestrian
access along the water's edge.
C. The City should consider both active and passive in- water, shoreline and
upland recreational needs in development of recreational areas to meet local
and regional needs.
d. The City should acquire, develop, expand and maintain public recreation
facilities to meet public demand for recreation use and enjoyment of the water
and shoreline.
e. Recreation facilities in the shoreline area should be restricted to those
dependent upon a shoreline location, or those benefiting from a shoreline or in-
water location that are in the public interest.
f. Public recreation facilities should be designed, developed and maintained to
respect the shoreline environment, and minimize the degradation . of the
shoreline and its natural systems.
g. Public information and education programs, and attendant enforcement
procedures, should be developed and implemented to help prevent the
violation of private property rights and the abuse of the shoreline and its
natural ecological system.
23.10.85 Conservation Element Goal and Policies
Goal — It is the goal of the City to protect and enhance unique and fragile areas of
flora and fauna and scenic vistas to help assure the continued availability of these
resources for future generations. This element is concerned with the preservation of
the natural shoreline resources, considering such characteristics as scenic vistas,
SMP Final Adopted.doc 19
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linear park systems, waterway trail systems, estuarine areas for fish and wildlife
protection, beaches and other valuable natural or aesthetic features. Assure
preservation of the unique, fragile and scenic shoreline resources by carefully
preserving the non - renewable resources and managing for the continued utilization
of renewable resources. Provide for the preservation of the natural shoreline
resources through the protection of existing and potential public recreational areas.
2. Policies
a. The City should work to maintain these environmentally sensitive and critical
areas for present and future generations, such as the Union Oil Marsh, the
historically contiguous wetland east of SR -104, and the Edmonds Underwater
Park.
b. Development in shoreline areas should be managed so that adverse impacts on
aquatic and land plants and animals are minimized.
Where practicable, steps should be taken to enhance the shoreline area as a
spawning ground for salmon and other species of fish and aquatic marine life.
d. Irreplaceable shoreline resources should be preserved for continued public
enjoyment.
e. The scenic and aesthetic qualities of shorelines and vistas should be preserved
through development standards.
Beneficial use of shoreline resources should be provided for while respecting
the natural shoreline environment.
g. Where practicable, restoration of damaged shoreline features and systems
should be encouraged.
h Limited improvements in public recreation areas should be permitted where
such improvements would enhance public access to and public education and
understanding of the value of the shoreline resource (an example of which is
the Edmonds Underwater Park).
23.10.90 Historical /Cultural Element Goal and Policies
Goal — Identify, protect, preserve and restore important archaeological, historical, art
and cultural sites located within the shoreline jurisdiction area for educational and
scientific uses and enjoyment of the natural amenities by the general public.
2. Policies
a. Wherever practicable, shoreline development should recognize the former and
current use of much of the City's shoreline area for such uses as boatyards,
railroads, ferry landings, logging, and industrial sites.
b. The large, relatively undisturbed area known as the "Union Oil Marsh" should
be preserved for, among other reasons, its educational and scientific value.
C. Educational projects and programs should be encouraged that foster a greater
appreciation of the importance of shoreline management, maritime activities,
environmental conservation, cultural arts and maritime history.
d. Important archaeological, historical and cultural sites located within the
shoreline jurisdiction area should be identified, protected, preserved and
SMP Final Adopted.doc 20
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restored for educational and scientific uses and enjoyment of the natural
amenities by the general public.
e. Historical /cultural sites should be acquired through purchase or gift, so as to
insure their protection and preservation.
Where practicable, buildings, sites and areas having historic, cultural,
educational, or scientific value to the community should be protected and
restored.
g. Where practicable, all buildings, sites, and areas which are placed on the State
or Federal Historic Register should be preserved, protected and restored.
h. Where practicable, significant archeological features and data should be
protected for scientific study and public observation.
23.10.95 Urban Design Element Goal and Policies
1. Goal - It is a goal of the City to encourage development within the shoreline area
that is visually coherent, provides visual and physical linkage to the shoreline, and
enhances the waterfront.
2. Policies
a. The shoreline area within and south of the north boundary of the Brackett's
Landing North Park, to the south City limits (generally the Urban Mixed -Use
shoreline environment) is one of the most scenic areas of the City. It also, to a
large extent, establishes the visual identity of Edmonds. As such, both public
and private development in these areas should be controlled and regulated to
provide an urban environment which preserves or enhances the opportunity for
the public to enjoy the scenic quality of the shoreline.
b. Projects should be encouraged to provide "street furniture," public art, related
interpretative signage, landscaping and other amenities within or adjacent to
the right -of -way of Railroad Avenue and Admiral Way to complement a
pedestrian promenade along the shoreline.
New and remodeled developments should provide public view corridors
adjacent to either the north or south property line to enhance public visual
access to the Puget Sound and to provide for a visual link between the
downtown and its waterfront roots: The location of the view corridor should
be coordinated with the development of adjacent properties in order to
maximize public visual access to the Puget Sound. Properties with significant
frontage on the shoreline should consider providing view corridors in multiple
locations so as to maximize public visual access to the shoreline.
d. Projects should minimize the amount of vehicular parking in the Urban Mixed -
Use I & 11 shoreline environments through use of joint use parking agreements
(where permitted), "in -lieu of parking arrangements, and by locating
employee parking off -site and outside the Urban Mixed -Use I & II shoreline
environments.
e. Projects should be designed to locate vehicular parking away from the
shoreline, bulkhead, or areas of pedestrian circulation.
f. Developments should provide conveniently situated bicycle parking on site.
SMP Final Adopted.doc 21
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PART III — ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNATIONS
23.10.100 User Guide
This Part, Sections 23.10.100 though 23.10.110, establishes the different environmental
designations for the various shoreline areas of the City. Part IV of this Chapter then
establishes different regulations that apply in these different environmental designations.
23.10.105 Adoption Criteria
General — Different areas of the City's shoreline have radically different natural
characteristics and development patterns. As a result, different environmental
designations are needed to properly regulate shoreline uses, developments and
activities.
2. Environmental Designations The City establishes the following environmental
designations based on the characteristics and factors listed.
a. Conservancy Environment — These are characteristically large undeveloped or
sparsely developed areas exhibiting some natural constraints such as wetland
conditions, frequently containing a variety of flora and fauna and in a natural
or semi - natural state. The two types of areas which are appropriate for this
classification, are as follows:
Environment
Designation Description of Boundaries
Saltwater and upland areas generally lying waterward of the
western boundary of the "Urban Railroad Environment,"
from the waterward extension to the outer harbor line of the
south property line of the Brackett's Landing South Park,
excluding the waterward extension of the Main Street right -
of -way and the "Haines Wharf' site, to the northern City
limits.
II Freshwater areas lying waterward of the ordinary high water
mark on Lake Ballinger.
b. Natural Environment — These are characteristically large undeveloped or
sparsely developed areas exhibiting some natural constraints such as wetland
conditions, frequently containing a variety of flora and fauna and in a natural
or semi - natural state. The natural environment is intended to preserve and
restore those natural resource systems existing relatively free of human
influence and those shoreline areas possessing natural characteristics intolerant
of human use or unique historical, cultural or educational features. These
systems require severe restrictions on the intensities and types of uses
permitted so as to maintain the integrity of the shoreline environment. This
environment designation is intended to:
(1) Maintain diverse natural resource systems, including wetlands,
associated with or within the area of shoreline jurisdiction, particularly
Puget Sound; and
(2) Prevent the loss or degradation of the functional value of natural
resources including primary food chain productivity, wildlife habitat,
SMP Final Adopted.doc 22
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flood attenuation, water quality improvements, and vegetation
community diversity; and
(3) Protect areas with unique or diverse natural characteristics from
disruptive activities including human and domestic animal intrusion.
Generally these areas are to include all natural diverse wetland and riparian
habitat areas within Shoreline Management jurisdiction. These include, but
are not limited to:
(1) The Union Oil Marsh and the historically contiguous wetland to the east
of State Route 104.
(2) The Shell Creek wetland and lower riparian zone, and the wetlands
which are now isolated on the east side of the railroad tracks, which are
partially or entirely within 200 -feet of the Ordinary High Water Mark
(OHWM) of Puget Sound.
Suburban Residential Environment — These are areas typified by single - family
residential development in areas where topography, transportation systems,
and development patterns make it extremely unlikely that more intensive use
would be appropriate. The areas which are appropriate for this classification
are as follows:
Environment
Designation Description of Boundaries
The upland area adjacent to and east of the eastern boundary
of the "Urban Railroad Environment" which is zoned RS -20.
II The upland area adjacent to and east of the eastern boundary
of the "Urban Railroad Environment" which is zoned RS -12.
III The upland area adjacent to and east of the eastern boundary
of the "Urban Railroad Environment" which is zoned RS -6.'
IV The upland area adjacent to the shoreline of Lake Ballinger.
Urban Mixed -Use Environment — These areas have been intensely developed
with a mix of commercial uses, Port facilities, multi -modal transit facilities,
railroad facilities and limited light industrial uses. Generally these areas
would include the upland and- waterward areas of the shoreline from the
southern City limits to the south property line of the Brackett's Landing South
Park, including the "Main Street Ferry Terminal" and "Haines Wharf' sites.
The areas which are appropriate for this classification are as follows:
Environment
Designation
Description of Boundaries
The upland area and waterward area from the southern
extension of the Dayton Street right -of -way, to the southern
boundary of the present Port of Edmonds property.
II The upland area and waterward areas from the southern
boundary of the present Port of Edmonds property to the
southern City limits, the upland and waterward areas
beginning at the southern line of the Dayton Street right -of-
way to the southern property line of the Brackett's Landing
South Park and its waterward extension, and including the
SMP Final Adopted.doc 23
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Main Street right -of -way and its waterward extension and the
"Haines Wharf' site.
Urban Railroad Environment — This area has been historically developed and
used as a dedicated railroad right -of -way and contains limited improvements
which are designed to aid in the transportation of goods and passengers by rail.
This shoreline environment area generally contains very few areas of
undisturbed natural shoreline. The area is defined as that area within the
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad right -of -way as established on the date
of the adoption of this master program, from the northern right -of -way line of
Main Street to the northern City limits.
23.10.110 Map Adopted by Reference
The map identified in Part V, Section 23.10.230, is hereby adopted as the official map of
the City designating the various shoreline environments within the City.. These
designations may be changed, from time to time, by the City Council, with the approval of
the Department of Ecology in a manner consistent with other amendments to the Shoreline
Master Program. This map also generally shows the landward limit of the area within the
City that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act and this Chapter;
provided, however that this map in no way increases or decreases the areas subject to the
Shoreline Management Act and this Chapter which are:
1. The Puget Sound and all underlying lands extending to the center of the Sound; and
2. All uplands within two- hundred (200) feet of the ordinary high water mark of the
Puget Sound; and
Lake Ballinger and all underlying lands; and
4. All uplands within two- hundred (200.) feet of the ordinary high water mark of Lake
Ballinger; and
All marshes, bogs, and swamps as associated with shorelines of the state as defined
in Chapter 173 -22 -040 WAC, as now or hereafter amended.
SMP Final Adopted.doc 24
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PART IV — USE REGULATIONS
23.10.115 User Guide
This Part, Sections 23.10.115 though the end of this Chapter, contains regulations that
apply to all uses, developments and activities in the shoreline area. This Part also
establishes which uses, developments and activities are permitted in which shoreline
environments.
23.10.120 Shoreline Uses, Developments and Activities.
1. General — The chart in paragraph 2 of this section establishes which uses,
developments, and activities are permitted in which of the shoreline environments.
This chart also establishes which uses, developments and activities require the
issuance of a Conditional Use Permit.
2. Chart — The following chart establishes the uses, developments, and activities which
may take place or be conducted within the various shoreline environments as well as
the required permit for each. Those uses, developments and activities listed are
allowed only if consistent with all pertinent provisions of this Part. If a use,
development or activity is not listed in the following chart, it is not permitted, except
as provided in Sections 23.10.115 through 23.10.220 of this Chapter, or as provided
in Section 90.58.030, RCW.
3. WDNR Management — The Washington State Department of Natural Resources
(WDNR) manages state -owned aquatic land (SOAL) under the Aquatic Land Act
chapters (79.90 — 79.96 RCW) and its implementing regulations (WAC 332 -30), as
now or hereafter amended. In the Edmonds vicinity SOAL includes any unsold
tidelands, shorelands, and bedlands of Puget Sound and Lake Ballinger. Those
proposing to use these lands need a use authorization from WDNR.
Activities that require a use authorization include, but are not limited, to:
a. Dredging of any tide, shore or bedlands and /or spoil disposal, if spoils are to
be disposed of in the aquatic environment;
b. Placement of any new or re- construction of wharves, ferry terminals,
petroleum re- handling /off loading sites, marinas, or other facilities that may
impact SOAL;
C. Placement or removal of breakwaters, whether wood or rip -rap;
d. Utilities in the aquatic environment, i.e. sewer outfalls, cable crossings, etc.;
e. Mooring buoys and or docks for individual use; and,
f. Log salvage operations or other uses that may impact SOAL.
SMP Final Adopted.doc 25
7/18/2000
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23.10.125 Flexibility With a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit
In addition to the uses, developments and activities listed in Section 23.10.120 as permitted
in the various shoreline environments, any use, development or activity which is not
"prohibited" may be approved through the issuance of a Shoreline Conditional Use Permit
if all the following conditions are met:
1. The use, development or activity is compatible with existing and permitted uses,
developments or activities within the same shoreline environment.
2. No increase in structure height is approved under this section.
No industrial use is approved under this section.
4. The proposed use, development or activity complies with the criteria set forth in
Section 173- 27- 160(l)(a) through (e), WAC, as now or hereafter amended.
23.10.130 General Regulations — Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Critical Areas
Location
a.. Environmentally Sensitive Areas include: steep slopes; marshes, bogs, and
swamps; floodplains; streams; spawning beaches; and other areas exhibiting
serious constraints on development and /or significant possibility of biotic
productivity.
b. Critical Areas include: fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; frequently
flooded areas; geologically hazardous areas; streams; and wetlands.
2. Development Limitations — All uses, developments, and activities on sites containing
environmentally sensitive areas and /or critical areas must comply with all applicable
local, state, and federal laws pertaining to development in these areas. In addition,
the site must be specifically designed so that the hazards from or impact on the
environmentally sensitive area and /or critical area will be mitigated.
Additional Authority — In addition to any other authority the City may have, the City
is hereby authorized to condition or deny a proposed use, development, or activity or
to require site redesign because of hazards associated with the use, development or
activity on or near an environmentally sensitive and /or critical area, and /or the effect
of the proposal on the environmentally sensitive area and /or critical area.
23.10.135 General Regulations — Historical and Archeological Resources
1. General — Uses, developments, and activities on sites of historical or archeological
significance or sites containing things of historical or archeological significance
must not unreasonably disrupt or destroy the historical or archeological resource.
2. Resource Recovery — Whenever possible, things of historical or archeological
significance should be properly explored, categorized, and recovered by qualified
individuals prior to any disruptive development, use or activity occurring on the
subject property. If items of historical or archeological significance are discovered
after a use, development or activity has commenced, all activity must cease until
proper disposition, including resource recovery, can be made of the significant items.
3. Site Design — The City may require that a site be redesigned or that development be
postponed for a definite or indefinite period if this is reasonably necessary to protect
a historic site or items of historic, archeological or cultural significance.
SMP Final Adopted.doc 28
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23.10.140 General Regulations — Parking
1. Off - Street Parking Required — All uses must provide sufficient off - street parking
spaces in order to accommodate the reasonably anticipated number of vehicles that
will be coming to the subject property. Specific parking standards for uses are
identified in Edmonds Community Development Code Chapter 17.50, as now or
hereafter amended.
2. Access — The City will determine the number, location, and design of all curb cuts
and other points of ingress and egress between the subject property and public rights -
of -way.
3. Design and Layout — Parking layouts must be designed efficiently to use the
minimum amount of space necessary to provide the required parking and safe and
reasonable access. Whenever possible, parking should be located out of the
shoreline area. Parking should not be located between the building or buildings on
the subject property and the shoreline. Exterior parking areas, other than for
detached dwelling units must be attractively landscaped with vegetation that will not
obstruct views of the shoreline from adjacent public areas or adjacent public rights -
of -way.
23.10.145 General Regulations — Public Access
Except as provided in Section 23.10.145.2 through .4, shoreline substantial
developments or conditional uses shall provide public access where any of the
following conditions are present:
a. Where development or use will create increased demand for public access to
the shoreline, the development or, use shall provide public access to mitigate
this impact.
b. Where development or use will interfere with an existing public access way,
the development or use shall provide public access to mitigate this impact.
C. Where a use which is not a priority shoreline use under the Shoreline
Management Act will locate on a shoreline of the state, the use or development
shall provide public access to mitigate this impact.
d. Within the Edmonds shoreline jurisdiction, where a use or development will
interfere with a public use of lands or waters subject to the public trust
doctrine, the development shall provide public access to mitigate this impact.
The shoreline permit file shall describe the impact, the required public access
conditions, and how the conditions address the impact.
2. An applicant need not provide public access where one or more of the following
conditions apply:
a. Unavoidable health or safety hazards to the public exist which cannot be
prevented by any practical means;
b. Inherent security requirements of the use cannot be satisfied through the
application of alternative design features or other solutions;
C. The cost of providing the access, easement or an alternative amenity is
unreasonably disproportionate to the total long -term cost of the proposed
development;
SMP Final Adopted.doc 29
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Unacceptable environmental harm will result from the public access which
cannot be mitigated; or
e. Significant undue and unavoidable conflict between any access provisions and
the proposed use and /or adjacent uses would occur and cannot be mitigated.
In order to meet any of the conditions .a through .e above, the applicant must first
demonstrate and the City determine in its findings that all reasonable alternatives
have been exhausted, including but limited to:
a. Regulating access by such means as maintaining a gate and /or limiting hours
of use;
b. Designing separation of uses and activities (e.g. fences, terracing, use of one -
way glazings, hedges, landscaping, etc.); and
C. Developing provisions for access at a site geographically separated from the
proposal such as street end, vista or trail system.
4. Exceptions — The following uses, developments, and activities are exempt from
providing public pedestrian access under this section:
a. The construction, repair, remodeling and use of one detached single - family
dwelling unit, as well as the construction, remodeling, repair, and use of
bulkheads, docks and other uses, developments and activities incidental to the
use of the subject property as a detached single - family residence.
b. All use, development and activity in conservancy environments, or
environmentally sensitive areas where the City determines that access would
create distinct and unavoidable hazards to human safety or be contrary to City
policies regarding the protection of unique and fragile environments.
Public Use Facilities
a. In addition to the public pedestrian areas required by Paragraph l of this
section, the applicant may propose and /or the City may require that benches,
picnic tables, .a public access pier or boardwalk, or other public use facilities
be constructed on the subject property.
b. If public use facilities are required or proposed, the City will determine the
size, location and other regulations (design considerations) for it on a case -by-
case basis.
6. Timing — The public pedestrian access required by this section must be completed
and available at the time of occupancy or completion of work; provided however,
that the City may on a case -by -case basis defer the physical availability of public
access in the following cases:
a. If shoreline development without public pedestrian access exists on both sides
of the subject property and the City determines that the size, location and
topography or the subject property does not warrant making public waterfront
access available until additional adjacent waterfront access can be obtained.
b. If pre- existing legal or nonconforming improvements on the subject property
physically preclude the provision of public waterfront access within a
reasonable period of time.
Easements Recorded — In each case where public pedestrian access is required,
whether it is physically available at the end of development or deferred until a later
date, all owners of the subject property must record a public pedestrian easement, in
SMP Final Adopted.doc 30
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a form approved by the City Attorney, establishing the right of the public to access,
use and traverse that portion of the subject property.
Signs and Regulations — The City shall require the posting of signs, obtained from
the City at the City's cost, designating public pedestrian access. The Planning
Manager or his /her designee is authorized to establish reasonable rules and
regulations governing the publics use of public pedestrian access and use areas under
this Chapter. Where appropriate, these rules and regulations shall be included within
the document recorded under Paragraph 7 of this section.
9. Development uses and activities shall be designed and operated to avoid blocking,
reducing or adversely interfering with the public's physical and visual access to the
water and shorelines.
10. Public access provided by shoreline street ends, public utilities and rights -of -way
shall not be diminished. (RCW 35.79.035 and RCW 36.87.130).
11. Public access sites shall be connected directly to the nearest public street and shall
include provisions for disabled and physically impaired persons, where feasible.
12. Required public access sites shall be fully developed and available for the public use
at the time of occupancy of use or activity.
13. Public access easements and permit conditions shall be recorded on the deed of title
and/or on the face of a plat or short plat as a condition running contemporaneous
with the authorized land use, at a minimum. Said recording with the County
Auditor's Office shall occur at the time of permit approval. (RCW 58.17.110).
14. Minimum width of public access easements shall be 25 -feet, unless the administrator
determines that undue hardship would result. In such cases, easement width may be
reduced only to the minimum extent necessary, as determined by the administrator, .
to .relieve the hardship, provided the larger easement is not need for emergency
access.
15. Future actions by the applicant successors in interest or other parties shall not
diminish the usefulness or value of the public access provided.
16. Visual access shall be maintained, enhanced and preserved on shoreline street ends,
public utilities and rights -of -way and within public "view corridors as designated by
the City."
23.10.150 Use Regulations — Detached Dwelling Units
General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of a
detached dwelling unit. These regulations are founded on the goals and policies
established in Part II of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section
23.10.120 of this Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments detached
dwelling units are permitted.
Permitted Use
a. The principal use permitted is the use of the subject property for a detached
single- family dwelling unit.
b. In addition to the principal use listed above, "normal appurtenances" as
specified in Section 173- 27- 040(l)(g) WAC, as now or hereafter amended and
as modified by Section 23.10.45.2.030 contained herein, as normally
associated with a detached dwelling unit and residential occupancy are also
permitted, including grading of the subject property which does not exceed
SMP Final Adopted.doc 31
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499 cubic yards. This chapter also contains specific regulations on bulkheads
and other shoreline protective structures, moorage facilities, and other uses,
developments and activities which may be conducted accessory to the
principal use.
C. In addition to the uses listed above in subparagraphs 2.a and .b, in the
Suburban Residential I, 1I & III Environments, the installation of storm
drainage lines to convey storm water resulting from the use of the subject
property as a detached dwelling unit, down the face of a slope for dispersal
into the existing storm drainage system within the railroad right -of -way shall
be considered a normal ancillary development activity, provided the subject
property owner has received written permission from the railroad and subject
to approval by the City Engineer.
3. Lot Size
a. The minimum lot sizes established below are based on the entire area of the
subject property landward of the ordinary high water mark, not just the portion
of the subject property within the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management
Act and this Chapter.
b. Except for pre- existing lots, the minimum lot size for a detached dwelling units
is as follows:
(l) In the Suburban Residential I shoreline environment, the minimum lot
size is 20,000 square feet of lot area landward of the ordinary high water
mark.
(2) In the Suburban Residential I1 & 1V shoreline environments, the
minimum lot size is 12,000 square feet of lot area landward of the
ordinary high water mark.
(3) In the Suburban Residential III shoreline environments, the minimum lot
size is 6,000 square feet of lot area landward of the ordinary high water
mark.
4. Required Yards — Over -Water Structures Prohibited — The regulations of this
paragraph establish the required setbacks for all buildings and other major structures
associated with this use. No building or other major structure may be located within
the following required setbacks:
Environment/Setback
Street
Rear
Side
Suburban Residential I.
25 -feet
25- feet*
10 -feet min. /
total 35 -feet
Suburban Residential II
25 -feet
25 -feet*
10 -feet
Suburban Residential III
20 -feet
15 -feet*
5 -feet
Suburban Residential IV **
15 -feet
35- feet*
]0 -feet
* — The rear setback for accessory buildings covering less than 600 square feet of the site
may be located within 5-feet of the rear property line.
* *— A 3S foot setback is required from the OHWM in all Suburban Residential IV
Environments.
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5. Hei ht — In all Suburban Residential shoreline environments, the height of a
detached dwelling unit may not exceed 25 -feet above average grade level and
accessory buildings may not exceed 15 -feet above average grade level.
23.10.155 Use Regulations — Mixed -Use Commercial
General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
mixed -use commercial facilities upland from the ordinary high water mark. These
regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in Part II of this
Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to
determine in which shoreline environments mixed -use commercial developments are
permitted.
2. Permitted Uses — In the Urban Mixed -Use I & II Shoreline Environments, the
following are permitted uses, developments and activities:
a. The principal uses permitted are mixed =use commercial activities and
developments, excluding medical, dental and veterinary clinics and drive -in
businesses.
b. In addition to the principal uses listed above, accessory uses, developments,
and activities normally associated with mixed -use commercial development
are also permitted. This Chapter also contains regulations on bulkheads and
other shoreline protective structures, moorage facilities, marinas, and other
uses, developments and activities which may be conducted accessory to the
principal use.
3. Lot Size In the Urban Mixed -Use I & II Shoreline Environments there is no
minimum lot.size.
4. Required Yards — The regulations of this paragraph establish the required yards for
all buildings and other major structures associated with this use. No building or
other major structure may be located within the following required yards:
Environment/Setback
Street
OHWM r
Side 2
Urban Mixed -Use I
0 -feet
15 -feet landward
0 -feet
of bulkheads for
buildings.
60 -feet landward
of bulkheads for
parking s
Urban Mixed -Use II
0 -feet
15 -feet landward
0 -feet
of bulkheads for
buildings. 4
60 -feet landward
of bulkheads for
parking
— The yards /setbacks shown under the column "OHWM" refer to
bulkheads. If a bulkhead is not present, the .Ordinary High Water Mark
shall be used.
1 — See Section S below for view corridor requirements.
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3 — In the Urban Mixed -Use 1 Environment, the 60 foot landward setback for
parking may be reduced by a maximum of 20 feet if a public walkway or
publicly - accessible open space is provided waterward of the bulkhead.
The setback may be reduced by one foot for every one foot of public
walkway or publicly accessible open space that is provided waterward of
the OHWM, to a maximum of 20 feet (i.e.: the setback for parking shall
be no less than 40 feet from the bulkhead).
{ — Existing buildings may be reconstructed within their existing footprint
provided there is at least a 25 foot walkway waterward of the OHWM
a. A minimum fifteen (15) foot setback is required from lot lines adjacent to
Suburban Residential Shoreline Environments (RS & RM zoning districts).
This area must be fully landscaped and include a minimum 6 -foot high fence
or hedge. ,
5. Required View Corridors — The regulations of this paragraph establish the required
view corridors for all buildings and other major structures associated with this use.
No building or other major structure may be located within the following required
view corridors:
a. Landward of the ordinary high water mark, a view corridor must be maintained
across 30% of the average parcel width. The view corridor must be in one
continuous piece. Within the view corridor, structures, parking areas, and
landscaping will be allowed, provided that they do not obscure the view from
the adjacent public right -of -way to and beyond the Puget Sound. This view
corridor must be adjacent to either the north or south property line, whichever
will result in the widest view corridor given development on adjacent
properties. If the subject property has shoreline frontage in excess of 1000 -
feet, the City may require a maximum of 1/3 of the required view corridor to
be placed in a location between the north and south property lines, in a
location which will provide for the greatest unobstructed view of the Puget
Sound.
b. Waterward of the ordinary high water mark, view corridors which are required
pursuant to this Section, must be maintained starting at a width equal to the
adjacent upland view corridor and expanding in a conical fashion 30- degrees
from the prolongation of the view corridor waterward of the OHWM (see
Section 23.10.245).
6. . Over -Water Structures Prohibited — The location of structures over water shall be
prohibited except as provided below:
a. In the Urban Mixed -Use I Shoreline Environment, the following overwater
structures are permitted:
(l) Moorage structures and facilities as regulated in Section 23.10.160.
(2) Public access as regulated in Section 23.10.145.
(3) Gas and oil sales; provided that the building shall not exceed 15 -feet in
height and 150 square feet in area.
(4) Live bait sales and storage; provided that the building shall not exceed
15 -feet in height above the top of the dock and 600 square feet in area.
(5) Boat gear storage lockers not to exceed 18 square feet in area and 3 -feet
in height. Only one storage locker is permitted per boat slip. This
provision does not apply under covered moorage structures.
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b. In the Urban. Mixed -Use II Shoreline Environment, the following overwater
structures are permitted:
(l) Moorage structures and facilities as regulated in Section 23.10.160.
(2) Public access as regulated in Section 23.10.145.
(3) Boat gear storage lockers not to exceed 18 square feet in area and 3 -feet
in height. Only one storage locker is permitted per boat slip. This
provision does not apply under covered moorage structures.
7. Height
a. Upland of the OHWM:
(1) The maximum permitted height of structures in the Urban Mixed -Use I
& II Shoreline Environments is 30 -feet above average grade level,
except as specified below:
(a) Bridges and overpasses may exceed the maximum height . limit
with a shoreline variance.
b. Waterward of the OHWM:
(1) The maximum permitted height of structures in the Urban Mixed -Use I
Shoreline Environment is:
(a) Accessory structures for the sales of gas, oil, and live bait shall not
exceed 15 feet above the height of the dock or pier.
(b) Boat gear storage lockers shall not exceed 3 -feet in height above
the height of the dock or pier. Only one storage locker is
permitted per boat slip. This provision does not apply under
covered moorage structures.
(c) Moorage structures and 'facilities as regulated in Section
23.10.160.
(d) Ferry Terminals as regulated in Section 23.10.170.4.
(2) The maximum permitted height of structures in the Urban Mixed -Use 11
Shoreline Environment is:
(a) Moorage structures and facilities as regulated in Section
23.10.160.
(b) Boat gear storage lockers shall not exceed 3 -feet in height above
the height of the dock or pier.
(c) Ferry Terminals as regulated .in Section 23.10.170.4.
23.10.160 Use Regulations — Moorage Structures and Facilities
1. General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
moorage structures and facilities. These regulations are founded on the goals and
policies established in Part 1I of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in
Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments
moorage structures and facilities are permitted.
2. Permitted Use
a. The principal use permitted in this Section is moorage of watercraft.
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b. In the Suburban Residential IV and Conservancy I & II Shoreline
Environments, accessory uses are not permitted in conjunction with this use.
C. Moorage structures and facilities located in the Urban Mixed -Use II Shoreline
Environment may not be located waterward of public parks, public beaches, or
public facilities, nor may they be located so as to obstruct waterward views
from these public uses.
d. In the Urban Mixed -Use shoreline environments, the following accessory uses
are permitted as part of this use:
(1) Boat and motor sales and leasing.
(2) Boat repair and service, including dry docks, boat yards and similar
activities.
(3) Boat motor /engine repair and service, provided that commercial boat
motor /engine repair involving complete engine overhaul or rebuilding
shall take place within a building or be screened from public view.
(4) Pumping facilities to remove effluent from boat holding tanks.
(5) Dry land boat storage; provided, however, that stacked storage shall not
be permitted to exceed the maximum permitted height in the Urban
Mixed -Use I Shoreline Environment, and, that stacked storage is not
permitted in the Urban Mixed -Use II Shoreline Environment.
(6) Meeting and special event rooms.
(7) Gas and oil sales for boats, if:
(a) All storage tanks are underground and located upland of the
ordinary high water mark; and
(b) The use has facilities to contain and clean up gas and oil spills.
This accessory use (gas and oil sales) may be conducted within an over -
water shed that is not more than 150 square feet in area and fifteen feet
in height as measured from the top of the deck.
(8) Boat launch ramps that meet the following requirements:
(a) The ramp is paved with concrete.
(b) There is sufficient room on the subject property for maneuvering
and parking so that traffic impact on the adjacent public right -of-
way will not be significant.
(c) Access to the ramp is not directly from the adjacent public right -
of -way.
(d) The design of the site is specifically approved by the City.
(9) Waste oil storage tank not to exceed 500 gallons may be located above
ground. Hazardous waste may be stored temporarily above ground in
not more than eight (8) 55 gallon drums. Waste oil and hazardous
storage tanks which exceed these standards must be placed underground.
e. This Chapter also contains regulations on bulkheads and other shoreline
protective structures and other uses, developments and activities which may be
conducted accessory to the principal use.
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3. Minimum Lot Size —There is no minimum lot size for this use; provided, however,
that the subject property must be large enough and be of sufficient dimensions to
comply with the site design and other requirements of this Chapter.
4. Limitation on Uses in the Suburban Residential IV and Conservancy I & II Shoreline
Environments
In the Suburban Residential IV and Conservancy I & II Shoreline
Environments, moorage structures and facilities may only be developed and
used accessory to detached dwelling units on waterfront lots. Use of moorage
structures and facilities in these Shoreline Environments is limited to the
residents and guests of the waterfront lots to which the moorage is accessory.
Moorage space may not be leased, rented, sold, or otherwise made available to
other than the residents and guests of the waterfront lots to which the moorage
is accessory.
b. In the Conservancy 1 Shoreline Environment, moorage structures and facilities
may not provide moorage for more than two boats; provided, however, that
waterfront lots in this environment are encouraged to develop joint or shared
moorage facilities. If this occurs, the joint or shared moorage facility may
contain up to two moorage's for each waterfront lot participating in the joint or
shared moorage facility.
5. Size of Moorage Structures — Moorage structures may not be larger than is necessary
to provide safe and reasonable moorage for the boats to be moored. The City will
specifically review the size and configuration of each proposed moorage structure to .
help insure that:
a. The moorage structure does not extend waterward beyond the point necessary
to provide reasonable draft for the boats to be moored and shall not extend
beyond the outer harbor line; and
b. The moorage structure is not larger than is necessary to moor the specified
number of boats; and
C. The moorage structure will not interfere with the public use and enjoyment of
the water or create a hazard to navigation; and
d. The moorage.structure will not adversely affect nearby uses; and
e. The moorage structure will not have a significant long term adverse effect on
aquatic habitats.
Over Water Structures — Required Yards
a. No structure regulated under this Section, other than moorage structures and
sheds associated with gas and oil sales for boats, may be waterward of the
ordinary high water mark. Other Sections of this Chapter contain regulations
on bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures and breakwaters which
may be accessory to this use and located waterward of the ordinary high water
mark.
b. The required yards for structures landward of the ordinary high water mark are
as established in the various shoreline environments.
C. Waterward of the ordinary high water mark, the required setbacks in the
Suburban Residential IV and Conservancy I & II Shoreline Environments are
as follows:
SMP Final Adopted.doc 37
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(l) If the subject property provides moorage for not more than two boats,
the following setbacks apply:
(a) No moorage structure on private property may be within 25 -feet of
a public park.
(b) No moorage structure may be within 25 -feet of another moorage
structure not on the subject property.
(c) The side property line setback is 10 -feet.
(2) If the subject property provides moorage for more than two boats, the
following setbacks apply:
(a) No moorage structure on private property may be within 100 -feet
of a public park.
(a) No moorage structure may be within 25 -feet of another moorage
structure not on the subject property.
(b) The side property line setback is l0 -feet.
d. Waterward of the ordinary high water mark, the required setbacks in the Urban
Mixed -Use I & II Shoreline Environments are as follows:
(l) No moorage structure on private property may be within l 00 -feet of a
public park.
(2) No moorage structure may be within 25 -feet of another moorage
structure not on the subject property.
(3) The side property line setback is l0 -feet.
7. Height of Structures — Waterward of the ordinary high water mark, pier and dock
height may not exceed a height of 3 -feet above water level, except that piling may
extend a reasonable amount above dock height to provide for tidal conditions.
8. Moorage Structures Waterward of the Inner Harbor Line — If the moorage structure
will extend waterward of the inner harbor line, the applicant must obtain a lease from
the Department of Natural Resources prior to proposing this use.
9. Certain Substances Prohibited — No part of a moorage structure or other components
that may come into contact with the water (Puget Sound or Lake Ballinger) may be
treated with or consist of creosote, oil based paints, toxic chemicals, or other
substances that would be harmful to the aquatic environment, unless specifically
permitted and authorized by appropriate State and Federal regulatory agencies.
10. Certain Moorages Prohibited
a. Aircraft moorage, except that, aircraft may be temporarily moored (not to
exceed 36 hours) in the event of severe weather conditions.
b. Covered moorage.
23.10.165 Use Regulations — Railroads
1. General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development of railroad
facilities. These regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in Part
II of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this
Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments railroad facilities are
permitted.
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2. Permitted Use
a. The principal use permitted in this section is the use of the subject property by
the railroad for its tracks (i.e. single main tracks, double main tracks and team
tracks), yards and buildings but especially for its main line.
b. In shoreline environments where this use is pennitted the following accessory
use, structures and facilities are permitted as part of this use:
(1) Sub grade and roadbed.
(2) Railroad track / road crossing signals.
(3) Slide fences.
(4) Railroad signals.
(5) Bridges (i.e. pedestrian overpass bridges, vehicular overpass bridges and
pipeline overpass bridges).
(6) Railroad signage (e:g. speed, track, whistle, etc.).
(7) Drainage facilities, including culverts.
(8) Railroad crossings.
(9) Buildings for housing of maintenance people not to exceed 600 square
feet in area.
(10) Storage of items for maintaining the area.
(l l) Underpasses.
(12) Pedestrian safety fencing, provided is does not to exceed 4 -feet in height
above grade and is not constructed of solid sight obscuring material. If
the proposed fence is to exceed either 4 -feet in height, or is constructed
of solid sight obscuring material, then a Shoreline Conditional Use
Permit is required.
C. This chapter also contains specific regulations on bulkheads and other
.shoreline protective structures, and other uses, developments and activities
which may be conducted accessory to the principal use.
3. Minimum Lot Size — There is no minimum lot size for this use; provided, however,
that the subject property must be large enough and be of sufficient dimensions to
comply with the site design and other requirements of this Chapter.
4. Required Yards — Over -Water Structures Prohibited — The regulations of this
paragraph establish the required setbacks for all buildings and other major structures
associated with this use. No building or other major structure may be located within
the following required setbacks:
a. Accessory buildings shall be located on the landward side of the railroad
tracks and a minimum of 5 -feet from the.property line.
5. Height
a. In the Urban Railroad Shoreline Environment, the maximum permitted height
of structures is 25 -feet above grade level, except as specified in Section 5.b
below:
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b. In the Urban Mixed -Use I & II Shoreline Environments, the maximum
permitted height of structures is 30 -feet above grade level, except as specified
below:
(1) Accessory buildings shall not exceed 15 -feet in height above average
grade level.
(2) Bridges and overpasses may exceed the maximum height limit.
(3) Slide fences shall not exceed 6 feet in height.
(4) Signal devices and signage shall be determined on a case -by -case basis
according to the goals and policies of the Shoreline Management Act,
WAC 173 -27, WAC 173 -16, and Chapters 20.10 and 20.55 ECDC.
23.10.170 Use Regulations — Ferry Terminals
General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development of ferry
terminals. These regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in
Part II of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this
Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments ferry terminals are permitted.
2. Permitted Uses
a. Ferry Terminal and associated uses, structures and activities.
b. This chapter also contains specific regulations on .bulkheads and other
shoreline protective structures, and other uses, developments and activities
which may be conducted accessory to the principal use.
3. Minimum Lot Size — There is no minimum lot size for this use; provided, however,
that the subject property must be large enough and be of sufficient dimensions to
comply with the site design and other requirements of this Chapter.
4. Height
a. The maximum permitted height of structures waterward of the OHWM shall
not exceed 35 -feet above OHWM, except as provided below:
(1) Structures related to the loading of pedestrian passengers shall be
permitted to exceed the maximum permitted height limit.
(2) Buildings and structures which house pedestrian passengers, employees
and equipment storage shall be permitted to be 20 -feet above the height
of the ferry loading dock.
b. The maximum permitted height of structures landward of the OHWM shall not
exceed 30 -feet above average grade level, except as provided below:
(1) Bridges and overpasses may exceed the maximum height limit.
23.10.175 Use Regulations — Utilities, Government Facilities, and Transportation Systems
1. General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
utilities, government facilities and transportation systems. These regulations are
founded on the goals and policies established in Part II of this Chapter. Please see
the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to determine in which
shoreline environments utilities, government facilities and transportation systems are
permitted.
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2. Permitted Uses
a. Except as specified in this Section, this Section allows for the development
and use of various structures, components and facilities necessary or
convenient to the use and operation of a wide range of quasi- public and public
utilities, government services and facilities, roadways, and other transportation
systems.
b. Public parks and recreation facilities are regulated separately in this Chapter
and are not regulated under this Section.
C. Ferry terminals and their associated structures and activities are regulated
separately in this Chapter and are not regulated under this Section.
d. Maintenance, storage and production facilities are not permitted in shoreline
areas.
e. This chapter also contains specific regulations on bulkheads and other
shoreline protective structures, and other uses, . developments and activities
which may be conducted accessory to the principal use.
3. Limitations on Locations
a. Except for public pedestrian access mandated or permitted by this Chapter and
utility lines, infrastructure, roadways and similar components necessary to
serve development within the shoreline area, utilities, government services and
facilities, and transportation systems may not be located within shoreline areas
unless this location is reasonably necessary for the efficient operation of the
utility, government facility or services or transportation system.
b. Utilities, government facilities and transportation systems may not be located
waterward of the ordinary high water mark or anywhere in conservancy
shoreline environments unless no practicable alternative exists and this
location is essential to the operation of the utility, government service or
facility or transportation system.
4. Placement and Design
a. When permitted within shoreline areas, utilities, government services and
facilities and transportation systems must be placed and designed to minimize .
negative aesthetic impacts upon shoreline areas.
b. Except where this would not be feasible, all utility lines, pipes, conduits,
meters, vaults and similar infrastructures and appurtenances must be placed
underground consistent with the standards of the serving utility.
5. Certain Pipelines Prohibited — Except for gas or oil pipelines, City approved sanitary
sewer, storm water outfall lines, or other conveyance systems for on -site drainage
collection systems for approved boat wash -down to special on -site treatment
facilities otherwise permitted in this Section, no pipeline for the transmission of any
substance that would be hazardous to the aquatic environment may be constructed
within the shoreline area.
6. Height, Bulk, Lot Size and Dimensional Requirements — The permitted height, bulk,
lot size and other dimensional requirements for utilities, government facilities and
services, and transportation systems will be made by the City on a case -by -case basis
based on the following factors as applicable:
a. The standards established by the serving utility.
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b. The standards established by the City for the structure or component in
question.
C. The impact of the structure or component on the shoreline area.
d. The height, bulk and other dimensional requirements established for other uses
in the various shoreline environments, by this Chapter.
23.10.180 Use Regulations — Public Parks and Public Recreation Facilities
General — This section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
public parks and recreation facilities. These regulations are founded on the goals
and policies established in Part II of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in
Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments
public parks and recreational use facilities are permitted.
2. Permitted Uses
a. This Section allows for the development and use of a broad range of public
parks. The level and scope of the development, nature and extent of amenities,
and type and intensity of activities in and for each park will be determined by
the City based on the physical environment, location, surroundings and needs
and demands of the community.
b. This chapter also contains . specific regulations on bulkheads and other
shoreline protective structures, and other uses, developments and activities
which may be conducted accessory to the principal use.
3. Lot Size and Dimensions — The City will determine the required minimum lot size as
well as the maximum bulk and dimensions of buildings and other site components on
a case -by -case basis consistent with other provisions of this Section and the City's
adopted Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan.
4. Height — The maximum permitted height of structures is as follows:
a. In the Conservancy I Shoreline Environment, structures may not exceed the
following height limitations:
(1) Upland of the Ordinary High Water Mark — 25 -feet above average grade
level.
(2) Waterward of the Ordinary High Water Mark — 35 -feet above Ordinary
High Water Mark (OHWM).
b. In all Suburban Residential Environments, structures may not exceed a height
of 25 -feet above average grade.
C. In the Urban Mixed -Use Environments, structures may not exceed a height of
30 -feet above average grade.
d. In all other shoreline environments where public parks and recreational
facilities are permitted, structures may not exceed a height of 25 -feet above
average grade level.
5. Special Consideration in Conservancy and Natural Shoreline Environments — In the
Conservancy and Natural Shoreline Environments, park and recreational facility
development must be sensitive to and protective of the unique or fragile natural
systems found in these areas. Development of park facilities in these environments
must be the minimum necessary in order to support low intensity passive use and
enjoyment of these areas. Physical access to these areas must be limited to
SMP Final Adopted.doc 42
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boardwalks, public access piers or other similar components which define the nature
and extent of physical intrusion and are less disruptive to the natural environment.
23.10.185 Use Regulations — Public Access Pier or Boardwalk
1. General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
public access piers or boardwalks along the shoreline or through associated
wetlands. These regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in Part
II of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this
Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments public access piers or
boardwalks are permitted.
2. Permitted Uses
a. This Section allows for the development and use of public access piers or
boardwalks to provide public access to and along the shoreline or associated
wetlands.
b. This chapter also contains specific regulations on bulkheads and other
shoreline protective structures, and other uses, developments and activities
which may be conducted accessory to the principal use.
Minimum Lot Size — There is no minimum lot size for this use; provided, however,
that the subject property must be large enough and be of sufficient dimensions to
comply with the site design and other requirements of this Chapter.
Over -Water Structures — Required Yards — Side property lines are 5 -feet, unless the
structure is designed to connect with waterfront public access on an adjacent
property.
Height of Structures — Waterward of the ordinary high water mark, pier or boardwalk
decks may not exceed a height of 15 -feet above OHWM.
6. Certain Substances Prohibited — No part of a public access pier or boardwalk or
other component that may come into contact with the water or wetland may be
treated with or consist of creosote, oil based paints, toxic chemicals, or other
substances that would be harmful to the aquatic environment, unless specifically
permitted and authorized by appropriate State and Federal regulatory agencies.
7. Special Considerations in Conservancy and Natural Shoreline Environments — In the
Conservancy and Natural Shoreline Environments, a public access or boardwalk
must be sensitive to and protective of the unique and fragile natural systems found in
these areas. Physical access must be limited to these structures by use of railings and
similar devices which define the limit of intrusion into the these unique shoreline
environments.
23.10.190 Use Regulations — Bulkheads and Similar Structures
General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures. These regulations are founded
on the goals and policies established in Part II of this Chapter. Please see the chart
contained in Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to determine in which shoreline
environments bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures are permitted.
Permitted Uses — This Section allows for the construction and use of walls, rockeries
and similar structures that are constructed essentially parallel to the shoreline at the
water's edge to prevent erosion of the shoreline.
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Allowable Reasons — A bulkhead or other shoreline protective structures may be
constructed only if:
a. It is needed to prevent significant erosion of the shoreline; and
b. The use of vegetation will not sufficiently stabilize the shoreline to prevent
significant erosion.
4. Prohibited Locations — Bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures may not
be constructed within a marsh, bog, or swap or between a marsh, bog, or swamp and
the primary body of water (Puget Sound or Lake Ballinger).
Design Considerations — Bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures must be
designed to minimize the transmittal of wave energy to other properties.
6. Placement — Bulkheads and other shoreline protective structures may not be placed
waterward of the ordinary high water mark, unless:
a. It is to stabilize a fill approved under Section 23.10.205 of this Chapter; or
b. There has been severe and unusual erosion within one year immediately
preceding the application for the bulkhead or other similar protective structure.
In this event, the City may allow the placement of the bulkhead or other
similar protective structure to recover the dry land area lost by this erosion.
Change in Configuration of the Land — Except as otherwise specifically permitted in
this Chapter, alteration of the horizontal or vertical configuration of the land must be
kept to a minimum.
Backfill — The extent and nature of any backfll proposed landward of a bulkhead or
other shoreline protective structure must be approved by the City.
23.10.195 Use Regulations — Breakwaters and Similar Structures
I . General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to the development and use of
breakwaters. These regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in
Part lI of this Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this
Chapter to determine in which shoreline environments breakwaters are permitted.
2. Permitted Uses — This Section allows for the construction and use of offshore
structures used to inhibit wave action to create safe boat moorage. Only floating or
open pile breakwaters are permitted.
3. Allowable Reasons — The City will permit the construction and use of a breakwater
only if:
a. The breakwater is essential to the safe operation of a moorage facility; and
b. The City determines that the location, size, design and accessory components
of the moorage facility to be protected by the breakwater provide a public
benefit and are within the public interest; and
C. Any undesirable effects or adverse impacts upon the environment or upon
nearby waterfront properties from the breakwater are clearly outweighed by
the benefits to the public provided by the moorage facility to be protected by
the breakwater.
4. Professional Design and Supervision Required — All breakwaters must be designed
and constructed under the supervision of a civil engineer or similarly qualified
professional. As part of the application, the engineer or other professional designing
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the breakwater must certify that it is designed to meet the requirements of this
Chapter and accomplish the purpose of the breakwater using the best available
science, and that the breakwater is also designed to have the minimum feasible
adverse impacts upon the environment, nearby waterfront properties and navigation.
5. Public Use Required — Unless physically infeasible or undesirable from a public use
or safety standpoint, public access to and along, and public use (e.g. sitting,
picnicking, fishing, etc.) of the breakwater must be provided.
6. Certain Substances Prohibited —No part of a moorage structure or other components
that may come into contact with the water (Puget Sound or Lake Ballinger) may be
treated with or consist of creosote, oil based paints, toxic chemicals, or other
substances that would be harmful to the aquatic environment, unless specifically
permitted and authorized by appropriate State and Federal regulatory agencies.
23.10.200 Special Regulations — Dredging
General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to dredging activities. These
regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in Part I1 of this
Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to
determine in which shoreline environments dredging is permitted.
2. Permitted Uses — This Section allows for the displacement and removal of materials
from the bottom of Lake Ballinger and the tidelands of the Puget Sound.
3. Allowable Reasons — The City will permit dredging only if:
a. No unique or significant natural area of flora or fauna will be destroyed; and
b. The dredging will not result in erosion of the shoreline or undermine the
stability of neighboring properties; and
C. Either:
(1) The application for the dredging is filed by a public agency to improve
navigability, public recreation or public safety; or
(2) The application is to create a public use or recreation area; or
(3) The application is for dredging to remove silt or sediment deposited
because of severe and unusual erosion or resulting from the existence of
a bulkhead on nearby property; or
(4) The application is to provide sufficient draft for boat moorage.
4. Disposition of Dredging Spoils — Dredging spoils may not be deposited into Lake
Ballinger or into Puget Sound, except at disposal sites approved by appropriate State
and Federal agencies. Dredging spoils may not be deposited onto shoreline areas,
except as follows:
a. Dredging spoils may be used as fill or landscape material for a development in
the shoreline area that is otherwise approved by the City under this Chapter.
This ill material must be of a type and nature that it will provide proper
structural stability and will not create any undesirable effects or adverse
impacts upon the environment or neighboring properties.
b. The City may permit dredging spoils to be temporarily deposited in the
shoreline area for transfer and removal to an approved disposal site. The
dredging spoils may not be stored in the shoreline area longer than is
reasonably necessary and must be stored in a manner that will protect the
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environment and neighboring properties from undesirable effects and adverse
impacts.
5. Revegetation — The applicant must reestablish any beneficial vegetation that is
disrupted or destroyed during dredging, unless this requirement would directly
conflict with the conditions of an approved dredging permit.
6. Minimum Dredging Necessary — The extent of the dredging must be the minimum
necessary to reasonably accomplish the purpose for the dredging under subsection
3.c above.
23.10.205 Special Regulations — Filling
1. General — This Section contains regulations pertinent to the use of fill. These
regulations are founded on the goals and policies established in Part II of this
Chapter. Please see the chart contained in Section 23.10.120 of this Chapter to
determine in which shoreline environments fill is permitted.
2. Permitted Uses — This Section allows for the creation of dry upland areas the
placement of soil, sand, rock, gravel, existing sediment or other material (excluding
solid waste) to create new land, tideland, or bottom land along the shoreline
waterward of the ordinary high water mark or on wetland or upland areas in order to
raise the elevation.
3. Allowable Reasons — The City may permit fill only if:
a. No unique or significant natural area of flora or fauna will be destroyed; and
b. The fill will not result in erosion of the shoreline or undermine stability of
neighboring properties; and
C. Either:
(1) The application is filed by a public agency to improve navigability,
public recreation or public safety; or
(2) The application is to create a public use or public recreation area.
(3) Fill is an essential component of an otherwise approved project.
4. Fill Material — The fill material must be non- dissolving and non- decomposing. The
fill material must not contain organic or inorganic materials that would be
detrimental to water quality or existing habitats.
5. Use of Vegetation — The applicant must stabilize exposed fill areas with vegetation.
6. Minimum Fill Necessary — The extent of the fill must be the minimum necessary to
reasonably accomplish the purpose for the fill under subsection 3.c above.
7. Professional Design and Supervision — The City may require that the fill be designed
and supervised by a civil engineer or similarly qualified professional. The City may
require this professional to certify that the fill meets the following requirements:
a. The fill is designed and executed to minimize adverse impacts on neighboring
properties and the environment, and is fully integrated into an otherwise
approved facility.
b. The fill is designed and executed to provide permanent structural integrity for
the fill and surrounding areas.
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23.10.210 General Regulations — Land Surface Modification
General — The regulations of this section apply to .proposed land surface
modifications landward of the ordinary high water mark. See Sections 23.10.195
through 23.10.205 of this Chapter for regulations that apply to land surface
modifications waterward of the ordinary high water mark (breakwaters, dredging and
filling) and Section 23.10.190 of this Chapter regarding land surface .modification
incidental to the construction of a bulkhead or other shoreline protective structures.
2. Land Surface Modification Landward of the Ordinary High Water Mark — Land
surface modifications landward of the ordinary high water mark may be permitted
only if no unique or significant natural area of flora or fauna will be destroyed and
only for the following purposes:.
a. The land surface modification is proposed by a public agency to improve
public safety, recreation or access, or is intended to improve a condition of the
natural environment.
b. The land surface modification is part of a development on the subject property
and is to improve access to a pier, dock, or beach.
C. The land surface modification is necessary to provide public pedestrian access
or a public use area.
d. The land surface modification is necessary for the structural safety of a
structure.
There has been severe and unusual erosion within the one (I) year period
immediately preceding the application and the land surface modification is to
restore the shoreline to its configuration prior to this erosion.
Land Surface Modification Landward of the Ordinary High Water Mark Land
surface modification landward of the ordinary high water mark is only permitted if it
is necessary for an approved development or use of the subject property or if it is
incidental to landscaping for an existing use on the subject property.
Additional Regulations — All land surface modifications landward of the ordinary
high water mark must comply with the following requirements:
a. The land surface modification must be the minimum necessary to accomplish
the underlying reason for the land surface modification.
b. Care must be taken to not create any direct or indirect adverse impacts on any
adjoining property or the shoreline of statewide significance.
C. All surfaces exposed during land surface modification must be revegetated or
otherwise covered as quickly as possible to minimize erosion.
d. During land surface modification activities techniques should be employed to
prevent erosion and runoff onto adjacent properties or into the shoreline of
statewide significance.
e. Except as is necessary during construction, dirt, rocks, and similar materials
may not be stockpiled on the subject property. If stockpiling is necessary
during construction, it must be located as far as possible form the shoreline
and strictly contained to prevent erosion and runoff.
f. Materials that will be deposited on the subject property must be clean and not
contain organic or inorganic substances that could pollute or otherwise be
detrimental to water quality or aquatic or shoreline habitats.
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The City may require that land surface modifications be engineered and /or
supervised by an engineer or similarly qualified professional.
h. The City may require that land surface modifications be restricted to limited
times of the year.
Land Surface Modifications in Conservancy or Natural Shoreline Environments —
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, land surface modifications in
conservancy or natural environments should not be allowed unless:
a. It is necessary to rehabilitate a stream, wetland, or otherwise improve or
enhance the natural environment; or
b. It is proposed by a public agency as part of development or use of the subject
property.
23.10.215 Special Regulations — Authority of the City
Land Outside the Jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act — In addition to the
authority described above, if a proposed use, development or activity includes areas
both inside and outside the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act, the City
may impose conditions or restrictions on the use, development or activity outside the
jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act if necessary to bring the areas of the
development within the jurisdiction of the Shoreline Management Act into
compliance with the Act, WAC 173 -27, WAC 173 -16 and Chapters 20.10 and 20.55
ECDC.
23.10.220 Special Regulations — Nonconformance
Where nonconforming development exists, the following definitions and standards shall
apply:
"Nonconforming development" means a shoreline use or structure which was
lawfully constructed or established prior to the effective date of the act or the
applicable master program, or amendments thereto, but which does not conform to
present regulations or standards of the program or policies of the act;
2. Nonconforming development may be continued provided that it is not enlarged,
intensified, increased, or altered in any way which increases its nonconformity;
3. A nonconforming development which is moved any distance must be brought into
conformance with the applicable master program.
4. If a nonconforming development is damaged to an extent not exceeding seventy-five
percent (75 %) replacement cost of the original structure, it may be. reconstructed to
those configurations existing immediately prior to the time the structure was
damaged, so long as restoration is either:
a. completed within one (1) year of the date of damage, or
b. completed within one (1) year of the date of issuance of all required permits, so
long as applications for such permits are submitted within 6 months of the date of
damage and are pursued in a timely manner.
5. If a nonconforming use is discontinued for twelve (12) consecutive months or for
twelve months during any two -year period, any subsequent use shall be conforming.
It shall not be necessary to show that the owner of the property intends to abandon
such nonconforming use in order for the nonconforming rights to expire;
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6. A nonconforming use shall not be changed to another nonconforming use, regardless
of the conforming or nonconforming status of the building or structure in which it is
housed;and
An undeveloped lot, tract, parcel, site, or division which was established prior to the
effective date of the act or the applicable master program but which does not
conform to the present lot size or density standards may be developed so long as
such development conforms to other requirements of the applicable master program
and the act.
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PART V —APPENDICES
23.10.230 Map of Shoreline Environments and Jurisdictions
23.10.250 Interpretations of this Master Program
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STATE OF WASHINGTON, !a
COUNTY OF SNOHOYLISH,
-' 318
of the ity o monds.
Washington
the City Council of ithelyCity of
Edmonds, passed Ordinance No.
3318. A summary of the content
Of said ordinance, consisting of
the title, provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE -
CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, RELATING
TO ZONING' AND PLAN-
NING; REPEALING THE
EXISTING SHORELINE '
MASTER PROGRAM AS
CODIFIED IN ECDC CHAP-
TERS 15.35 - 15.39;
ADOPTING AS AN IN- j
TERIM LAND USE REGU.
LATION A RFvjscn
rttuvlDlNG FOR SEVER
ABILITY; AND FIXING A
TIME WHEN THE SAME
TIVELL BECOME EFFEC-
The full text of this Ordinance
will be mailed upon request.
DATED this 19th day of July, I
12000.
CITY CLERK,
SANDRA S. CHASE
Published: July 26, 2000. __ j
8_2 -1
Affidavit of Publication
The undersigned, being first duly sworn on oath deposes and says
that she is Principal Clerk of THE HERALD, a daily newspaper
printed and published in the City of Everett, County of Snohomish,
and State of Washington; that said newspaper is a newspaper of
general circulation in said County and State; that said newspaper
has been approved as a legal newspaper by order of the Superior
Court of Snohomish County and that the notice ......... ...............................
Summary of Ordinance #3318
...................................................................................................... ...............................
City of Edmonds
.......................................................... ............................... ... ................... ... ....................
a printed copy of which is hereunto attached, was published in said
newspaper proper and not in supplement form, in the regular and
entire edition of said paper on the following days and times, namely:
Published: July 26, 2000
.......................................................................................... ......................... ......
..................... that aid newspaper was regu a \ ibut d to i subscribers
n of said period. 1 /I
Principal Clerk
Subscribed and sworn to before me this............ 3.1 S t
d of .............. J ....... ..................... 11111LIsif, 2000....
... ............................... ... ....... ......... / .. °.r,.` %P........
otary Public in and or f to o Wja'in9ton,
residing at Everett, Tnohd s
M.
<� '•�9 UBCIC o)�
O
RECEIVED
AUG 0 2 2000
EDMONDS CITY CLERK