CRA-08-85_1201-ViewlandWay.pdf
CRITICAL AREAS RECONNAISSANCE REPORT
Site Location:Tax Acct. Number:
1201 Viewland Way 00729500000100
Determination:Determination #:
Study Required CRA-2008-0085
Applicant:Owner:
Austin Huang Ruth Blackvourn
CRITICAL AREAS DETERMINATION:STUDY REQUIRED (CRA-2008-0085)
During review and inspection of the subject site, it was found that the site may contain (or be
Geologically Hazardous Areas (Erosion Hazard Area or
adjacent to) critical areas, including
Landslide Hazard Area)
, pursuant to Chapter 23.40 of the Edmonds Community Development
Code (ECDC).
The LiDAR map (attached) indicates that there is a steep slope (approximately 70%) along the
northern edge of the property. Projects proposed further than 65’ from the top or toe of the slope
(50’ buffer + 15’ setback from the critical area) may not require a geotechnical report to address
critical areas issues (of course, other departments may require a report to address their codes,
depending on the scope of work proposed).
GENERAL CRITICAL AREAS REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Critical Areas Reports identify, classify and delineate any areas on or adjacent to the subject
property that may qualify as critical areas. They also assess these areas and identify any
potential impacts resulting from your specific development proposal. If a specific development
proposal results in an alteration to a critical area the critical areas report will also contain a
mitigation plan. You have the option of completing the portion of the study that classifies and
delineates the critical areas and waiting until you have a specific development proposal to
complete the study. You may also choose submit the entire study with your specific development
application.
Please review the minimum report requirements for all types of Critical Areas which are
listed in ECDC 23.40.090.D. There are additional report requirements for different types of
critical areas (see below).
Note that it is important for the report to be prepared by a qualified professional as defined in
the ordinance. There are options on how to complete a critical areas study and an approved
list of consultants that you may choose from. You may contact the Planning Division for
more information.
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General Mitigation Requirements for all Critical Areas are discussed in ECDC 23.40.110
through 23.40.140.
STUDY REQUIREMENT – EROSION HAZARD AREA
It appears that this property contains or is adjacent to an Erosion Hazard Area.
Erosion Hazard areas include Alderwood and Everett series soils on slopes of 15 percent or
greater, among others.
Landslide Hazard Areas are further defined in ECDC 23.80.020.A.
In addition to the general requirements for Critical Areas reports referenced above, specific
Critical Area report requirements for Erosion Hazard Areas (which are one of the
Geologically Hazardous Areas) are provided in ECDC 23.80.050.
Note that Stable Erosion Hazard Areas may have limited report requirements at the director’s
discretion. At a minimum an erosion and sediment control plan prepared in compliance with
the requirements in ECDC Chapter 18.30 shall be required.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ASSOCIATED WITH EROSION HAZARD AREAS
Development is restricted within an Erosion Hazard Area and must meet additional criteria.
For erosion hazard areas with suitable slope stability, an erosion and sediment control plan
prepared in compliance ECDC 18.30 will be considered to meet the Critical Areas “Study
Required” determination. The determination of “suitable slope stability” will be made by
both the Planning and Engineering divisions of the City of Edmonds.
In areas where the slope stability is not suitable, projects within Erosion Hazard Areas will
require a report by a licensed Geotechnical Engineer or other qualified professional.
Note that it is important for the report to be prepared by a qualified professional as defined in
the ordinance.
Report requirements are given in ECDC 23.80.050, and more generally in ECDC
23.40.090.D
Development standards are given in ECDC 23.80.060 and 23.80.070.
STUDY REQUIREMENT – LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREA
It appears that this property contains or is adjacent to a Landslide Hazard Area.
A Landslide Hazard Area is any area with a slope of forty percent (40%) or steeper and with
a vertical relief of ten (10) or more feet (except areas composed of consolidated bedrock).
Landslide Hazard Areas are further defined and illustrated in ECDC 23.80.020.B.
In addition to the general requirements for Critical Areas reports referenced above, specific
Critical Area report requirements for Landslide Hazard Areas are provided in ECDC
23.80.050.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ASSOCIATED WITH LANDSLIDE HAZARD AREAS
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Development is restricted within a Landslide Hazard Area and its buffer.
Projects that will intrude into these areas will require a report by a licensed Geotechnical
Engineer.
The criteria that are applied depend on the amount that the buffer is reduced.
The buffer can be reduced to a minimum of ten (10) feet (with an additional 15’ building
setback per ECDC 23.40.280) if a report is prepared that meets the standards listed in ECDC
23.80.050). The alteration must also meet the requirements listed ECDC 23.80.060.
In addition, proposals to reduce the buffer to less than ten (10) feet must comply with the
design standards listed in ECDC 23.80.070.A.3.
ALLOWED ACTIVITIES
Certain activities are allowed in or near critical area buffers as specified in ECDC 23.40.20. If
you have any questions about whether your proposed development qualifies as an allowed
activity, please contact a Planner for more information.
EXEMPT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
Certain development proposals may be exempt from Critical Areas Requirements (ECDC
23.40.230). If you think that a specific development proposal may be exempt, contact a Planner
for more information.
Gina Coccia, Associate Planner August 19, 2008
Name, Title Signature Date
* NOTE: Cited sections of the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) can be found on the City of
Edmonds website at www.ci.edmonds.wa.us.
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