1. Environmental Critical Areas Regulations
Introduction:
Environmental Critical Areas Regulations
Planning Commission Meeting
September 21, 2017

2. Purpose
Provide an overview of the City’s Environmentally Critical Areas Regulations to assist in future discussions as they relate to program updates such as to the Erosion Hazards Near Sensitive Water Bodies Overlay No-Disturbance Area Pilot Program

3. Planning Commission’s Role Tonight
Review
Informational Only
Regular City Business (Limited Substantive)
Policy Input (In-Depth Substantive)

4. Process Planning Commission Review Planning Commission Sept Oct Oct 215
Oct 21
Background Information
Q & A
Work Session
Review & Comment
Public Hearing
Deliberation
Recommendation

5. Growth Management Act Environmental Protection
Protect the environment and enhance the state’s high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water
Big Rock Park – trail interpretative signage

6. Growth Management Act RCW 36.70A.172
Counties are cities are required to include the best available science in developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas
Big Rock Park – trail interpretative signage

7. State Environmental Protection Act
SEPA Process
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process identifies and analyzes environmental impacts from governmental decisions. These decisions may be related to issuing permits for private projects, constructing public facilities, or adopting regulations, policies, or plan
Big Rock Park – trail interpretative signage

8. Sammamish Comprehensive Plan
Environment & Conservation Element
The Environment & Conservation Element addresses numerous sustainability and healthy community goals and polices including;
Air Quality
Water Quality
Climate Change
Tree Cover
Sustainable Development
Public Safety and Health of Ecological Functions

9. Sammamish Comprehensive Plan
Environment & Conservation Element Goals
EC.1 Serve as a leader in environmental stewardship of the natural environment for current and future generations.
EC.2 Protect people, property and the environment in areas of natural hazards.
EC.3 Protect wetlands and other water resources from encroachment and degradation and encourage restoration of such resources.
EC.4 Protect and promote a diversity of plan, pollinator and animal species habitat in Sammamish.

10. Sammamish Comprehensive Plan
Environment & Conservation Element Goals (cont.)
EC.5 Maintain and protect surface water and groundwater resources that serve the community and enhance the quality of life.
EC.6 Improve and preserve air quality.
EC.7 Support regional efforts in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
EC.8 Sammamish is a sustainable city.
EC.9 Increase the sustainability and efficiency of building practices in Sammamish.
EC.10 Maintain and improve the City’s forested character.
Big Rock Park – trail interpretative signage

11. Sammamish Municipal Code
The purpose of this chapter is to implement the goals and policies of the Washington State Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, and the City of Sammamish Comprehensive Plan, as amended, that call for protection of the functions and values of the natural environment and the public health and safety

12. Sammamish Municipal Code
Philosophy of SMC 21A.50
Mitigation Sequencing
Aquatic Resources
Habitat vs. Geoscience Areas

13. Sammamish Municipal Code
Critical Area Studies
How do we identify these areas
Definitions
Maps
Field Identification
Documentation through Study

14. Sammamish Municipal Code
Methods of Protection
Buffers
Tracts and Easements
Notice on Title
Fencing and Signage

15. Sammamish Municipal Code
Allowance for Development
Exemptions
Prescriptive Compliance with Development Standards
Buffer Adjustments
Existing Development
Alterations
Development Flexibilities

16. Sammamish Municipal Code
Types of Critical Areas
Aquatic Resource Areas
Wetlands
Streams
Frequently Flooded Areas
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
Lake Management Areas

17. Sammamish Municipal Code
Types of Critical Areas
Geo-Science Areas
Critical aquifer Recharge Areas
Seismic Hazard Areas
Landslide Hazard areas
Erosion Hazard Areas
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay

18. Sammamish Municipal Code
Other Regulated Areas – Public Works
Surface Water Regulations
NPDES
CSWPPP
TESC
Critical Drainage and/or Critical Erosion Areas
Water Quality
Drainage Facilities
Hazards
Fertilizers

19. Sammamish Municipal Code
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay
Definition

20. Sammamish Municipal Code
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay
Definition

21. Sammamish Municipal Code
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay
Purpose

22. Sammamish Municipal Code
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay
Limitation on Development in the No-Disturbance Area

23. Sammamish Municipal Code
Erosion Hazard Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay
Pilot Program – allowing subdivisions in limited circumstances

24. Next Steps DATE ACTION Oct 5
Planning Commission Work Session – Erosion Hazards Near Sensitive Waterbodies Overlay No-Disturbance Area Code
Oct 19
Planning Commission Public Hearing and Recommendation
Nov 6
City Council Public Hearing and First Reading of the Ordinance
Nov 7
Nov 21
City Council Second Reading of the Ordinance