LACEY MUNICIPAL CODE

A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Lacey, Washington


 

Title 16: ZONING

Chapter 16.54

ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS [1]

 

Sections:

16.54.010  Intent

16.54.020  Environmentally sensitive/critical areas defined

16.54.030  General standards

16.54.040  Review of uses

16.54.050  Environmental review

16.54.060  Wetland areas

16.54.070  Flood hazard areas

16.54.080  Habitat conservation areas

16.54.090  Aquifer recharge areas

16.54.100  Geologically sensitive areas

16.54.010  Intent.  It is the intent of this chapter to:

A.  Regulate use of designated environmentally critical areas consistent with the intent of the Growth Management Act and the Lacey Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Plan.

B.  Recognize there are qualitative differences between and among specific types of critical areas. Not all areas and ecosystems are critical for the same reasons. Some areas are critical because of the hazard they present to public health and safety, some because of the values they represent to the public welfare. In some cases, the risk posed to the public by use or development of a critical area can be mitigated or reduced by engineering or design; in other cases that risk cannot be effectively reduced except by avoidance of the critical area. Hence, classification, designation and protection of critical areas is intended to recognize the differences among these areas, and to develop appropriate regulatory actions in response.

C.  Identify special review procedures, standards and mitigating conditions when construction or other human activity is proposed for any parcel of land within or reasonably close to the boundaries of environmentally sensitive/critical areas as designated in a generalized manner on that map titled official zoning map of the city of Lacey or other environmental maps referenced in Chapters 14.28, 14.33, 14.34, 14.36, or 14.37 or on lands meeting the requirements as an environmentally sensitive area as defined in said code sections.

D.  Provide environmentally sensitive area designation for critical exemptions policy under WAC 197-11-908. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.020  Environmentally sensitive/ critical areas defined.  Environmentally sensitive/critical areas are those areas described or referenced in this chapter as wetlands, flood hazard areas, aquifer recharge areas, geologically sensitive areas, or habitat conservation areas. The approximate locations and type of most environmentally sensitive/critical areas are designated on the official zoning map of the city of Lacey and environmental maps referenced or contained within the city Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Plan. However, environmentally sensitive/critical areas not shown on maps are presumed to exist in the city of Lacey and the Lacey urban growth area and are protected under all the provisions of this chapter. In the event of a conflict between designation shown on the zoning map, referenced environmental maps or specific criteria defining an environmentally sensitive area set forth in this chapter or Chapters 14.28, 14.33, 14.34, 14.36 or 14.37, the criteria shall control. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.030  General standards.  Allowed uses and development standards shall be those of the underlying district except that more restrictive requirements shall be imposed by the city consistent with the intent and according to the processes and procedures described or referenced in this chapter and Chapters 14.28, 14.33, 14.34, 14.36 or 14.37. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.040  Review of uses.  All uses shall be subject to the review process specified or referenced herein dependent upon the type of environmentally sensitive area concerned and the type of proposed action. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.050  Environmental review.  Pursuant to WAC 197-11-908, environmental review shall be required within designated environmentally sensitive/critical areas for uses which may normally be exempt. All categorical exemptions which may be removed from exempt status because of environmentally sensitive area designations pursuant to WAC 197-11-908(2) are hereby removed. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.060  Wetland areas.  All regulated wetland areas as designated or described by Chapter 14.28 shall be subject to the review processes, standards and conditions as specified in Chapter 14.28. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.070  Flood hazard areas.  All flood hazard areas as designated or described by Chapter 14.34 shall be subject to the review process, standards and conditions as specified in Chapter 14.34. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.080  Habitat conservation areas.  All habitat conservation areas as designated or described by Chapter 14.33 shall be subject to the review process, standards and conditions as specified in Chapter 14.33. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.090  Aquifer recharge areas.  All aquifer recharge areas as designated or described by Chapter 14.36 shall be subject to the review process, standards and conditions as specified in Chapter 14.36. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

16.54.100  Geologically sensitive areas.  All geologically sensitive areas as designated or described by Chapter 14.37 shall be subject to the review process, standards and conditions as specified in Chapter 14.37. (Ord. 935 §3 (part), 1992).

 


 

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City of Lacey, Washington, USA

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[1]Prior legislation:  Ords. 583 and 912 (repealed by Ord. 935).