Critical Areas Ordinance Update Draft Chapters Scott Clark Jeremy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Critical Areas Ordinance Update – Draft Chapters Scott Clark Jeremy Davis Thurston County Planning July 6, 2011

CAO Update – Status Work continues on draft ordinance, BAS report Some chapters ready for distribution Public hearing on prairie ordinance renewal

Overview 24.05 Administrative Procedures 24.40 Critical Area Review Permit 24.16 Seismic Hazard Area 24.17 Volcanic Hazard Area 24.18 Mine Hazard Area Lacey UGA Density Calculations *Presentation provides overview; detailed standards are in each referenced chapter of Title 24 TCC

24.05 Administrative Procedures Purposes: – To review developments in critical areas or their buffers; – Minimize delays associated with multiple development reviews; and – Assist property owners in developing their property consistent with this title by promoting the use of innovative land use techniques to protect critical areas

24.05 Administrative Procedures Describes application types and processes Outlines County review procedures – Review consolidated with underlying permit Information on appeals, code interpretations, critical area determinations Application submittal requirements

Chapter 24.05 Con’t Proposed chapter provides clarification or specific criteria in several areas Table 1A (current) is replaced by Table 24.05-1 Application types are the same as used in other sections of the Thurston County Code Permit reviews are to be coordinated

Application Types and Review Processes Type I – Ministerial Type II – Administrative Type III – Quasi-Judicial Type IV - Legislative

Critical Area Determinations Intended to identify: – Critical areas regulations that may apply to a given property – Potential critical areas and studies This is not a permit and is not intended to be a final review or delineation of critical areas for vesting purposes

24.05 Con’t : Appeals, Submittal Req’s and Fees Appeals processes are not changing except for the Critical Area Review Permit (CARP) Application submittal requirements need to be identified The fee section is a new section to clarify that fees may be assessed.

24.40 CARP “CARP” replaces the “critical area administrative review” The review will occur with other permit review at the option of the applicant

Review Process for CARP Type I: – Underlying permit is a Type I permit, or does not require SEPA Type II: – Underlying permit is a Type II or Type III permit, or requires SEPA

Proposed 24.16, 24.17, 24.18 TCC New proposed chapters for seismic, volcanic, mine hazards, respectively Currently these areas are addressed under 17.15.600 (Geologic Hazard Areas) Separated out due to specific nature of hazard, limited areas affected – Seismic hazards largely addressed through building code

24.16 Seismic Hazard Area Purposes: – Protect public health and safety; – Establish minimum requirements to address seismic hazards; and – ID seismic hazard areas in Thurston Co. Development standards reference building code (Title 14 TCC)

Liquefaction Map

Current vs. Proposed Seismic Hazard Area Applicability expanded for BAS consistency Special reporting standards consolidated into separate chapter (same as all proposed critical area chapters)

24.17 Volcanic Hazard Area Purposes: – Protect public health and safety given current info. on volcanic hazards; – Minimize damage to property due to volcanic events; and – ID approx. locations of volcanic hazard areas Development standards and Reasonable Use Exception (RUE) criteria – Mostly pertain to critical facilities, lodging and places of public assembly

Volcanic Hazards Map

Current vs. Proposed Volcanic Hazard Area Applicability expanded for BAS consistency – Hazard area now reaches to Puget Sound; Case I lahar can cause dam failure RUE criteria for critical facilities is new; ensures evacuation plans are established

24.18 Mine Hazard Area Purposes: – Protect public health and safety given current information on mine hazards; – Minimize damage to property due to mine hazards; and – ID approx. locations of mine hazard areas Generally limited to abandoned coal mines – Does not apply to open pit gravel mines Development and reporting standards

Mine Maps Lewis and Thurston Counties

Current vs. Proposed Mine Hazard Area Uses not specified in current CAO Main area of hazards still south-central county; assoc. w/ mines in north Lewis Co. Source of mine hazard locations proposed to change – Will be consistent with Lewis County mine hazard code and WDNR mine hazard mapping Proposal has more specific standards

Lacey UGA Density Calculations New chapter in Title 23 for residential density Ensures consistency with City’s requirements Amends each zoning district to add references to the new chapter and to update the exempt building setbacks Adds ability to use alternative development standards

Affected Residential Zoning Districts

Alternative Development Standards Intended to allow urban densities while protecting critical areas Allows for reduced minimum lot sizes, building and development coverage Only permitted when the density calculations push density below zoning district minimums.

Residentially Zoned Areas eligible for Alternative Development Standards

Next Steps Release remaining draft chapters, including: – Critical Area chapters (Geologic Hazards, CARAs, Frequently Flooded Areas, FWHCAs) – Special Reports Continue work sessions with Planning Commission