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Resolution 597PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 597 A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS MAP AND THE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY PLAN TO UPDATE THE CITY'S POLICIES WITH REGARD TO PRESERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS AS SET FORTH IN FILE #CP-1-78. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Edmonds, pursuant to proper notice and publication, held a public hearing on a proposal to amend the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map and the Comprehensive Policy Plan to update the City's policies with regard to preservation of environmentally sensitive areas; and WHEREAS, people developing buildings in environmentally sensitive areas need more specific guidelines on how to preserve the natural site characteristics; and WHEREAS, the City Staff needs clearer direction from the Policy Plan in the implementation of the Zoning Code and in the drafting of new development regulations; and WHEREAS, specific environmental policies are required by an amendment to SEPA (ss.B.2654; RCW 43.21C.060) to be used in conditioning or denying proposals (which do not require legislative action) on the basis of adverse environmental impacts; and WHEREAS, there is a finding of no significant adverse environmental impact on the proposed amendment; and WHEREAS, said amendment is necessary to promote the public health, safety and general welfare; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommends and forwards to the City Council of said City, that the proposed amend- ment to the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map and the Comprehensive Policy Plan, as set forth in Exhibit "A" and Exhibit "B" attached hereto, be approved. DATED this 27th day of July, 1978. t� Chairman on s Planning Co 'ssion h.. 6 - FILE #CP-1-78 Dire to of Community Development HEARING: 7-12-78 INITIATED BY; Staff I. i"ro I olk.41 kit EDMONDS ENVIRONMENTALLLY SENSITIVE AREAS Existing env. sensitive areas 4 ._j Proposed env. sensitive areas 6LsF S. Steep slope/natural vegetation areas Steams > Marshlands 5 sw V 4f co P P14sr4P 4 PISA ev Afel Or S, -j -03 t flu A*41Y two A 9 /ir :tlx A&AD 4 71w N);, in;YLP q skv �03 so -4— x x6 st 4 IP 51 t sXv F�tv. ."P, v ciL;n t A." LLelv s) FPD c C 'IL 4 ZI-1 ts St' F, P1. q rj to SP SP je wN OF WOODWAY S1 Sw � I m so. AF $NO110MIS16 CO F Pp Ila I sw I.. -j w, 3uS, I kP P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT "A" /r 203 - SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY A. GOAL Future development in areas of steep slope and potentially hazardous soil conditions should be based on site development which preserves the natural site characteristics. PnT.TCTF.S 1. Large lots or flexible subdivision procedures, such as PRD's, should be used in these areas to preserve the site and reduce impervious surfaces, cuts and fills. 2. Streets and access ways should be designed to conform to the natural topography, reduce runoff and mini- mize grading of the hillside. B. GOAL Development on steep slopes or haz- ardous soil conditions should pre- serve the natural features of the site. GRADING AND FILLING POLICIES 1. Grading, filling, and tree cutting shall be restricted to building pads, driveways, access ways and other impervious surfaces enly. 2. Grading shall not jeopardize the stability of any slope, or of an adjacent property. 3. Only minimal amounts of cut and fill on hillsides exceeding a 15% slope should be permitted so that the natural topography can be preserved. Fill shall not be used to create a yard on steeply sloped property. 4. Fill and excavated dirt shall not be pushed down the slope. CONSTRUCTION POLICIES 5. Buildings on slopes of 15% or greater shall be designed to cause minimum disruption to the natural topography. Gantilever e�-pele-9t�ppe��-desigxs-aye-ex- eet��aged-ix-�kese-areas- 7/27/78 P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT "B" Page 1 6. Retaining waZZs are discouraged on steep sZopes. if they are used they shouZd be smaZZ and should not support construction of improvements which do not conform to the topography. 7. Water retention devices shall be used to maintain the amount and velocity of runoff at predevelop- ment levels. EROSION CONTROL POLICIES 8. Temporary measures shall be taken to reduce erosion during construction. 9. Natural vegetation should be pre- served wherever possible to re- duce erosion and stabilize slopes, particularly on the downhill property line. 10. Slopes should be stabilized with deep rooted vegetation and mulch, or other materials to prevent erosion and siltation of drain- age ways. OPEN SPACE POLICIES 11. q�ria} 3-whewr-e-4eveli>pmen-t- -wi-1-1 i-�- p-&&t-s-wh-reh- -e-axno-t-be-4R-itiLgeeed 12. Enhance residential environment by acquisition of peti$3 gale steep sZopes for park and open spaces. 13. Publicly owned land in these environmentally sensitive areas should be retained in as natural a state as possible. P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT "B" Page 2 7/27 /78 204 - POLICIES FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM g-arms ,-411-ar64rea , na-t+r-a-l-4��tidre-a-ems-bQ-�k�arage ays-t-em-s+keu1d--b-e-i4et.7ti d--ard fires-e vet-by-lxt}ic--prurc.•lrasv---err oeh-er--means . 1. 2= The natural drainage system (ie. streams, ponds, marshes) shall not be filled or permanently culverted-* Temporary culverting of streams shall be permitted during construction where site conditions present no other alternative. The natural con- dition should be restored imme- diately following construction. *except where no other alternative exists. 2.- Heavy earthmoving equipment shall not cause siltation or deterior- ation of water quality. Rechan- neling of streams is permitted only when the stream bed location renders the site undevelopable. (Insert) 3. 4. Riprapping of stream banks and gravelling of stream beds is per- mitted when the Engineering De- partment determines that stability or sediment retention is necessary. Imagination and care should be used in the design of retention ponds and other drainage facili- ties so that they will blend into the natural environment rather than detract from it. 5. Decorative ponding, cascading, and building artificial waterfalls is des-c-0x-ed-3-tro-ge-sears permitted except in those streams where it would present a barrier to the migration of fish. oundation and footings 6. Buildings hall be no closer than 15 feet to a stream bank and shall be sited to create minimum disrup- tion to the drainage system. 7. The quality and quantity of water leaving a site shall be the same as that entering the site. 8. Retention basins and other devices shall be used to encourage on -site runoff absorption and present over- loading of existing drainage systems except in those areas where it is necessary to remove water from the site quickly due to unstable soil conditions to prevent earth slides and subsequent danger to life and 7/27/78 property. ,P.C. RES. #597 - EXHIBIT "B" - Page 3 CITY AND REGIONAL DRAINAGE_ IMPROVEMENT POLICIES 9, Financing of drainage facilities and stream protection of improve- ments should be shared responsi- bility of government and all pro- perty owners who benefit or have benefitted from the developinent of their property, A prograir should be.institututed to deter- mine and carry out the fairest and most feasible method of financing. 10. Interlocil Cooperation - The City should recognize the inter - jurisdictional characteristics of storm drainage problems and work with adjacent municipalities to improve the system. P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT I'B" Page 4 7/6/78 207 - VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE Vegetation - As Edmonds has urbanized,the natural vegetation has become increasingly scarce. The City's woodlands, marshes and other areas containing natural vegetation provide an impor- tant resource which should be preserved. Woodlands help stabilize soils on steep slopes, and act as' barriers to wind and sound. Natural vegetation provides hab- itat for wildlife. Plants replenish the soil with nutrients. They generate oxygen and clean pollutants from the air. The beauty of the natural growth provides pleasing vistas and helps to buffer one development from another. Areas where natural vegetation exist provide good sites for nature trails and for other recreational and educational opportunities, Wildlife - Wildlife is a valuable natural resource that greatly enhances the aesthetic quality of human life. City beaches, breakwaters and pilings represent unique habitats for marine organisms. "People pressure" continue to destroy many organisms and their habitats each year. The number and species of organisms is diminishing yearly. Streams, lakes and saltwater areas offer habitats for many species of migrating and resident bird life. Underdeveloped wooded areas and city parks provide habitats for many birds and mammals. Many birds and mammals are dependent upon both the upland and beach areas. A. GOAL The City should ensure that its woodlands, marshes and other areas containing natural vegetation are preserved. POLICIES 1. The removal of trees should be minimized.---T-ryes-­s t3-1-E1--be particularZy when they are Located rr�efyr-pe meted- te-tie-s3 �-� y- gn steep s4opes or hazardous soils, �ttt- ate- s ire- lads}erg. Sub- division Layouts, buildings and roads should be designed so that existing trees are preserved. 2. �h��}�- ig-#,pees,-gpeacl-sea�a-cad v*he p�e�-e-�u��ke��e� �1iey-�rra_Zoeczted -errrs�ivn-��t�rtr�- 7/27/78 P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT "B" Pnrye 5 3. Trees that are diseased, damaged, or unstable should be removed. 4. Grading should be restricted to building pads and roads onlv. Vegetation outside these areas should be preserved. GOAL The City should promote and increase public awareness and pride in its wildlife heritage. Special empha- sis should be directed toward pre- serving the natural habitats (woodlands, marshes, streams, beaches) of the City's wildlife. POLICIES 1. Establish and maintain a variety of educational and recreational programs and activities for all age levels. 2. Erect and maintain an educational display that identifies some of the more common plants and ani- mals and the ecology of major habitats, ie., sand, rock, piling and deepwater. 3. Establish and publicize regula- tions prohibiting removal of non-food organisms from beach areas without collecting permit; permit for educational and re- search only. 4. Encourage that landscaping and site improvement on city -owned property, recognize the depend- ency of some species upon cer- tain types of vegetation for food and cover. 5. City park property which serves as a habitat for wildlife should be left natural with minimum development for nature trail type of use. P.C. RES. #597 EXHIBIT "B" Page 6 7/27/78 r-�