1532_00001ORDINANCENO.1532
AN ORDINANCECREATINGCHAPTER 19.03 OF THE MOSESLAKEMUNICIPALCODEENTITLED"lNTERIMCLASSIFICATIONAND DESIGNATIONOFRESOURCE
LANDSANDCRITICALAREASANDREGULATIONSFORTHEINTERIMCONSERVA-
TION AND PROTECTIONOF RESOURCE LANDSANDCRITICALAREAS"
THE CITYCOUNCILOF THE CITYOF MOSESLAKE,WASHINGTONDOORDAINAS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Chapter19.03 ofthe MosesLakeMunicipalCode entitled"Interim Classificationand DesignationOofResourceLandsandCriticalAreasandRegulationsfortheInterimConservationandProtectionofResourceLandsandCriticalAreas"is created as follows:
19.03.010 StatutoryAuthorization:The legislatureof the State of Washington has,in RCW 36.70A.060,
mandated local governmentswho plan under 36.70A.040 to adopt development regulations to
ensure the conservationand agricultural,forest and mineral lands and to adopt development
regulations precluding land uses or development that is incompatible with critical areasdesignatedunderRCW36.70A.170
19.03.020 Findingsof Fact:
A.Growth management,resource land conservation,and criticalareas protection shareproblemsrelatedtogovernmentalcostsandefficiency.
B.Sprawland the unwisedevelopment of resource lands orcriticalareas susceptible to naturalhazardsmayleadtoinefficientuseoflimitedpublicresources,jeopardize environmental
resource functions and values,subject persons and propertyto unsafe conditions,and affect
the perceivedqualityof life.
C.The cost to remedy the loss of resource lands or criticalareas is greater than conserving
and protecting them from loss or degradation.
D.TheInherent economic,socialand cultural values of resource lands and critical areas should
be considered in the development of strategies designed to conserve and protect suchlands.
E.Thisordinance implementsthe goals and policiesof the Resource Landsand CriticalAreas
Elementof the ComprehensivePlan.
19.03.030 Purpose:It is the purpose ofthis ordinanceto promote the public,health,safety,and general
welfare in areas associated with specific resource lands and critical areas.It is further intended
to promote the conservation of resource lands and promotethe enhancement and preservation
of critical areas by avoiding or minimizing adverse impacts from construction and development.
This ordinance shall also implement the goals and policlesofthe State ofWashington Growth
Management Act(s)of 1990 and 1991 through the classificationand designation of resourcelandsandcriticalareasandthedevelopmentandimplementationofinterimregulationsto
conserve resource lands and protect criticalareas in the public's Interest and welfare.It is not
the intent of this ordinance to deny a reasonable use of privateproperty,but to assure thatdevelopmentonornearresourcelandsorcriticalareasisaccomplishedinamannerthatisenvironmentallysensitivetotheresourcesofthecommunity.
19.03.040 M:
A.Classifyand designate criticalareas and resource lands.
B.Conservethe inherent economic,social,and culturalvaluesof resource lands.
C.Protect environmentallysensitivecriticalareas and the functions they perform.
D.Protect aquifer recharge areas.
E.Preserve natural forms of ilood and stormwater control.
F.Protect human life and health from damage due to geologically hazardous areas.
G.Protect and maintain fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas for rare,threatened orendangeredspecles.
H.Develop appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory options and strategies.
19.03.050 Definitions:
A.Agricultural Lands -lands that are not already characterized by urban growth and are of
long-term commercial significancefor thecommercial production of horticultural,vlticultural,
floricultural,dairy,aplary,vegetable,or animalproducts,orofberries,grain,hay,straw,turf,
seed,livestock,and Christmastrees not subject to excise tax.
B.Aquifer Recharge Areas -areas which serve as criticalgroundwater recharge areas and
whichare highlyvulnerableto contaminationfromintensiveland uses within these areas.
C.Buildinq Setback Line-meansthe distance beyondwhichthe footprintor foundation ofthe
buildingor structure shall not extend.
D.2 -means the Cityof Moses Lake,Washington,a municipal corporation.
E.Contaminant-means any chemical,physical,biological,or radiological material that is not
naturally occurringand is introduced into the environmentby human action,accident,ornegligence.
F.CommercialSlqnificance,Lonq-Term -means the growing capacity,productivity,and soil
compositionof the land for long-termcommercialproduction,in considerationwith the
land's proximityto populationareas,and the possibilityofmore intense use of the land.
G.Critical Areas -an area or combinationof areas which include wetlands,aquifer recharge
areas,frequently ilooded areas,geologicallyhazardous areas,and fish and wildlife habitat
conservationareas
H.Data Maps -means a series ofmaps that are maintained by the CommunityDevelopment
DivlslonoftheMunicipal Services Departmentfor the purpose of graphicallydepicting the
boundaries of resource lands and criticalareas.
I.Erosion HazardAreas -areas which are vulnerable to erosiondue to naturalcharacteristics
includingvegetative cover,soil texture,slope gradient,or which have been induced by
human activity.Areaswhich have been rated as severe or very severe for buildingsite
developmenton slopes by the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture Soll Conservation
ServiceSoilSurveyfor GrantCounty (Jan.1984)are included within this definition.OJ.Fish and WildlifeHabitat Areas -areas which,in a natural state,serve as an Important
habitat for locally important specles,including,but not limited to,riparlan ecosystems,
naturally occurringponds undertwenty (20)acres;or areas in which rare,threatened,orendangeredspecleshaveaprimaryassociation.
K.Frequently Flooded Areas-areas withinthe CityofMosesLakewhich are determinedto be
at riskofhaving one percent (1%)or greater chance ofexperiencinga flood inany one (1)
year,with those areas defined and Identifiedon the Federal Emergency Management
Administration (FEMA)Flood Insurance RateMapsfor the Cityof Moses Lake.
L GeologicallyHazardous Areas -areas designated withinthe Cityof Moses Lake whichare
not suited for siting commercial,residential,or industrial development because of their
susceptibilityto erosion,sliding,earthquake,or other geolog1calevents.These areas shall
include erosion hazard areas,landslide ha2ard areas,and seismic hazard areas.
M.Habitat Management Plan -means a reportprepared by a qualified wildlifebiologistfor the
management of fishand wildlifehabitat areas.
N.HazardousSubstance -meansany material that exhibitsanyofthe characteristicsor criteria
ofhazardouswaste,inclusive ofwaste oiland petroleumproducts,and which further meets
the definitions of "hazardouswaste"pursuant to WAC173-303.
O.Hillsides -geologicfeatures with slopes of fifteen percent (15%)or greater.
P.Landslide Ha2ard Areas -areas which are susceptibleto risk of mass movement due to a
combination of geologic,topographic,and hydrologic factors.
Q.MineralLands -lands that are not already characterizedby urbangrowthand are of long-
term commercialsignificance for the extractionofaggregate and mineresources,including
sand,gravel,and valuable metallic substances.
R.SeismicHazani Areas -areas whichare susceptible to severe damage from earthquakes
as a resultof ground shaking,slope failure,settlement,or soll llquefaction.
ORD.1532/Page 3
S.Species of Local Importance -means a species of animal which are of local concern due
totheirpopulation status ortheirsensitivityto habitat manipulation.This termalso includes
game species.
T._S.lop_e-means an inclinedground surface,the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio
or percentage.The percentage is determinedby the followingformula;
V (VerticalDistance)/H (Horizontal Distance)x 100 =Slope %
U.WildiffeBiologist-means a person having a minimumof a Bachelor's degree in wildlife
biology,wildlifescience,wildlifeecology,wildlifemanagement,or zoology.
19.03.060 Data Maps:The data maps maintained by the Community Development Division of the
MunicipalServicesDepartmentshall be utilizedas a generalguidetodetermine the location and
extent of resource lands and criticalareas within the city limits.The data maps shall be
consulted when a developmentapplicationis received to determineIfthe site is within anyareasshownasresourcelandsorcriticalareas.Itshallbethe responsibility ofthe applicantto notify
the cityof anyresource lands or criticalareas whichare on or nearthe siteofthe developmentapplication.Theexact locationofresource landsand critical areas shall be determined bya siteanalysisconductedbyaqualifiedprofesslonalus\ngthe requirementsfound withinthis chapter.
19.03.070 Interpretation of Data Maps:TheMunicipalServicesDirector is charged withthe administrationoftheCityofMosesI.akeZoningOrdinancefor the purpose of interpreting data maps.An
affectedpropertyowner or other partywith standing has a rightto appealthe Municipal Services
Director's determination to the Planning Commission.
AIIdevelopment applicationsare requiredto show the boundary(s)of all resource lands and
critical areas on a scaled drawing prior to the development application being consideredcompleteforprocessingpurposes.
19.03.080 Anoticability:AIIdevelopmentproposals located within resource lands or critical areas shall
comply with the provisionsof this chapter,including but not exclusiveto:
A.Bullding permitforany newconstruction
B.Anyshoreline management permitas authorized under RCW90.58.O C.Site plan revlew
D.Subdivision,short subdivision,plannedunitdevelopment,or binding site plan
E.Zoningvariance or conditional use permit
19.03.090 SiteAnalysis:When an applicationfor development,permit,or license isreceived by the city,
the applicationshall Indicate whether any resource land or criticalarea is located on the site.
The Municipal ServiceDirectoror the director's designee shallinspect the site and evaluatetheinformationprovidedbytheapplicant.The MunicipalServices Director or director's designeeshallevaluatetheproposalandmakeadeterminationifasitestudyanalysislerequired.Ifit is
determinedthat a sitestudyanalysis isrequired,the MunicipalSelvices Director shall notifythe
applicantin writingof the requiredstudy.Asite study analysis shallInclude a comprehensivesiteinventoryandanalysis,a discussionof the potential impactsfromthe proposed development
and specific measures oraltemativesdesigned to mitigate any potential adverse impacts of theapplicant's proposal on and off-site.
19.03.100 Anneals:Anydecision of the MunicipalServiceDirector inthe administration of thischapter maybeappealedtothePlanningCommission.Such appeal shall be in writing and must be
submittedto the citywithin ten (10)days from the date of the administrator'sdecision.
19.03.110 Agricultural Lands:
O A.General:Agricultural lands oflong-term commercialsignificanceare identified by the USDA
SoilConservationServiceclassificationsystemofprimeand uniquefarmlands soils.Prime
and uniquefarmlandsare definedas follows:
1.Prime Farmlands -lands with the best combination of physical characteristics for
productionand is availablefor these uses as determined by the USDASoilConservation
Service.
2.Unique Farmlands -lands other than prime farmland that are used for the productionofspecifichighvaluefoodandfibercropsasdeterminedbytheUSDASoilConserva-
tion Service.
B.Development Standards:Not applicable.In accordance with ROW36.70A.170,the city
does not have agriculturallands of long-term commercialsignificance.
19.03.120 Forest Lands:
A.General:Forestlands oflong-term commercial significanceare identified bytheWashington
State Department of Revenue land grades scheme (WAC458-40-530).
B.Development Standards:Notapplicable.In accordance with RCW 36.70A.170,the city
does not have forest lands oflong-term commercialsignificance.
19.03.130 Mineral Lands:
A.General:Mineral lands of long-term commercial significanceare Identified by the Washing-
tonState DepartmentofNatural Resources (DNR)DivisionofGeologyand Earth Resources
mineral resource land classification system.
B.Development Standards:Not applicable.In accordance withROW36.70A.170,the city
does not have mineral lands of long-termcommercialsignificance.
19.03.140 Aquifer Recharge Areas:
A.General:Discharge into the groundwaterofthe cityshallnot contribute contaminants norfacilitatedegradationofrechargeareas.Development approvals shall ensure that all best
management practicesare employed to avoldcontributingpollutantsinto aquifer recharge
areas.The requirementfor a site analysisshall be based on detailed information on the
following items:
1.Hydrogeologic susceptibility to contaminationand contamination loading potential
2.Depth to groundwater
3.Hydraulic conductivity and gradient
4.Soil(texture,permeability,and containmentattenuation)
B.Development Standards:
1.A site analysis shallbe utilizedto determinethe existingwater qualityfor establishing
a baseline whichshallserve as a minimum standard that shallnot be further degraded
by proposed development.
2.Development approvals shall ensurethat allbest management practices are employed
to avoldintroducing pollutantsinto the aquifer.This includes the complete collection
and disposal of storm water.
C.Hydroqeoloqlc Assessment Required:Ahydrogeologic assessment shall be requiredforthe
following land uses:
1.Hazardous substance processing and handling
2.Hazardous waste treatmentand storage facility
3.Wastewatertreatment plantsludge disposal
4.Solldwaste disposal facility
D.Hydrogeologic Assessment Requirements:A hydrogeologic assessment shall be submitted
by a firm,agent or individual withdocumentable environmentalexpertise.Ata mlnlmum,
the following parameters shall be considered:O1.Documentable information sources
2.Geologicdata pertinentto welllogs or borings used to identify information
3.Ambient groundwaterquality
4.Groundwaterelevation
5.Recharge potentialof facilitysite
ORD.1532/Page 5
6.Current data on wells and any springs locatedwithin one thousand feet (1,000')ofthefacility
7.Surfacewater location and potentialrecharge
8.Watersupply source for the facility
9.Analysis and discussion of the affects of the proposed project on the groundwater
resource
0 E.Findingsand Considerationof Approval:A hydrogeologicassessment must demonstratethattheproposedusedoesnotpresentathreatofcontaminationtotheaquifersystem.Successfuldemonstrationof these findings warrantsapprovalunderthis section.
19.03.150 FrequentlyFlooded Areas:
A.General:Areas which are prone to flooding and are identified ina report conducted for the
city bythe Federal EmergencyManagement Administration dated January5,1989 and areidentifledontheFloodInsuranceRateMapsshallbesubjecttotherequirementsofthis
section.
B.Development Standards:AIIdevelopment within flood hazardareas shallbe subject to therequirementsofthecitymunicipalcode,Chapter 18.53 -Flood HazardAreas.
19.03.160 GeologicallyHazardous Areas:
A.General:Geologicallyhazardous areas are areas that are susceptibleto erosion,sliding,
earthquake,or other geologicalevents and pose a threat to the publichealth,safety,and
welfare.Thesiting of resident1al,commercial,or industrialdevelopmentwithin these areasisapotentialhazard.These areas include steep slopes,landslide-erosion hazard areas,andseismichazardareas
B.Development Standards:
1.Applicationsfordevelopmentactivitywithindesignated hilisidesoffifteen percent (15%)slope and greater shall be accompanied by a geotechnical report prepared by ageologistorgeotechnicalengineerlicensedasaCivilEngineerwiththeStateofWash-
ington.
2.Applicationsfor developmentactivitywithindesignated landslide or erosîon hazard
areas shall be accompanied by a geotechnical report prepared by a geologist orgeotechnicalengineerlicensedasaCivilEngineerwiththeStateofWashington.
3.Applicationsfor developmentactivityproposedwithin designated seismic hazard areasshallbeaccompaniedbyageotechnicalreportpreparedbyageologistorgeotechnicalengineerlicensedasaCivilEngineerwiththeStateofWashington.
C.GeotechnicalReportRequirements:Ageotechnicalreportrequiredunder thissectionshall
include,at a minimum,the followinginformation:
1.Topographic maps at a minimumscale of 1:2400 (1inch =200 feet).Slope rangesshallbeclearlydellneatedinincrementsof15-25%,25-40%,and 40%or greater.
2.Sitehistory,including descriptionofpriorgradingand clearing,soilinstability,or slopefailure.
Ifa validgeotechnical report has been prepared withinthe previoustwo (2)years for
a specificsite and the proposed land-usedevelopmentand site conditions have notchanged,the report may be utilizedwithoutthe requirement for a new geotechnicalreport.
D.GeotechnicalReport Assessment:Ifitissatisfactorilydemonstrated withinthe geotechnical
¯reportthat hillsidesof fifteen percent (15%)slope or greater,landslide and erosionhazard
areas,and or seismichazard areas do not existon the site,the requirements of thissectionshallbewaived.Ifit is determined withinthe geotechnicalreport that a potentialthreat topubilehealth,safety,and welfare exists from development of the site,then the applicantshallprepareageologichazardplan.
E.GeoloqlcHazard Plan:The geologic hazard plan shall includediscussion of the potential
impacts from the proposed developmentand specific measures or alternativesdesigned to
mitigateany potentialadverse impacts of the applicant's proposal on and off-site.The
Planning Commission shallreview the geologichazard planand make a determination ifthe
development proposal warrants approval,conditionalapproval,or denial.The Planning
Commission shall consider the following areas in their determination:
1.Percentage of site proposed to be disturbed by development
2.Locationofdevelopmenton site
3.Design proposed for the development
4.Constructiontype proposed for the development
19.03.170 Fish and WildlifeHabitat Areas:
A.General:Fish and wildlife habitat areas are those areas identified as being of critical
importance in the maintenance and preservationof fish,wildlife,and natural vegetation.
Areas whichare Identified or classified as fish and wildlifehabitat areas shallbe subject to
the requirements ofthissection.Fishand wildlifehabitat areas are identified as follows:
1.Areas withwhichfederal or state endangered,threatened,and sensitive species offish,
wildlife,and plants have a primaryassociation and which,if altered,may reduce the
Ilkelihood that the species will maintain and reproduce over the long term.
2.Habitatsand species of local Importance,including areas With state IIsted monitororcandidatespeciesorfederallylistedcandidatespecieshaveaprimaryassociationand
which,ifaltered,may reduce the likelihoodthatthe species willmaintainand reproduce
overthe longterm.
3.Naturally occurringponds undertwenty(20)acres and theirsubmerged aquaticbeds
that providefish or wildllfehabitat.
4.Lakes,ponds,and streams plantedwithgame fishby a govemmentalagency.
5.State naturalarea preserves and natural resource conservation areas.
B.Development Standards:For all regulated activityproposed on a site which contains or is
within three hundred feet (300)of fish and wildlifehabitat,a habitat assessment shall be
required and shall be prepared by a professionalwildlifebiologist.The habitat ashessment
shall include,at a minimum,the following:
1.An analysisand discussion ofspecies or habitatsknownorsuspected to be located onthedevelopmentsiteandorwithinthehabitatecosystem.
2.A site planwhichclearlydelineatesthe criticalfishand wildlifehabitats found.
C.Habitat Assessment Review:Ahabitat assessment reviewshallbe fonwarded for reviewand
commenttoagencies with expertise or jurisdictionon the proposal,including,but notlimited
to:
1.Washington Department of Wildlife
2.Washington Department of Fisheries
3.WashingtonDepartment of Natural Resources
4.U.S.Fish and WildlifeService
Commentsreceivedfrom review agencies withinforty-five (45)days of the submittalof the
assessment shall be considered by the Municipal Services Department.Ifitis determined,
based upon the comments received,that criticalfishand wildiffehabitat does not occur on
or within three hundred feet (800')of the site,the developmentmay proceed without any
additionalrequirements underthis section.IfitIs determined that a criticalfish and wildlife
hab1tatoccurs on orwithinthree hundred feet (300of the site,a habitatmanagement plan
shall be prepared.
D.Habitat Management Plan:Habitatmanagement plansrequiredunderthis section shallbe
prepared by a professionalwildlife biologist.The habitat management plan shallinclude,
at a minimum,the following:
ORD.1532/Page 7
1.Analysis and discussion on the project's effectson critical fish and wildlifehabitat.
2.An assessment and discussion on special management recommendations which havebeendevelopedforspeciesorhabitatlocatedonthesitebyanyfederalorstate
agency.
3.Proposed mitigation measures which could minimize or avoid impacts.
4.Assessment and evaluation ofthe effectivenessofmitigationmeasures proposed.Uponreviewofthehabitatmanagementplanbyappropriatefederalandstateagencies,e comments received from the agencies within forty-five (45)days ofthe submittal of theproposedplanshallbeconsideredbythecityand,Ifmitigation is recommended,maybeincorporatedintoconditionsofprojectapproval.Ifit is determined,based on the
comments received,that a project or proposal will result in the net loss of critical fishandwildiffespecies,the project or proposal may be denied.
E.Habitat Management Plan Review:The Planning Commissionshalldiscuss the potentialimpactsfromtheproposeddevelopmentandspecificmeasuresoralternativesdesignedtomitigateanypotentialadverseimpactsoftheapplicant'sproposalon and off-site.The Plan-ningCommissionshallreviewthehabitatmanagementplanand makea determinationifthedevelopmentproposalwarrantsapproval,conditional approval,or denial.
F.Buffer Requirements:The PlanningCommission,upon the review of the habitat manage-ment plan,shallrequirebuffer areas based upon the habitat management plan.The buffer
areas by the Planning Commissionwould serve to mitigateimpacts to criticalfish andwildlifehabitatareas.
19.03.180 ExistingStructures and Developments:General:Lawfully existing structures and previouslyapproveddevelopmentspriortotheadoptionofthissectionshallbeallowedtocontinueasexemptionsfromthisordinance.Itistheintentlonofthis chapter to allowthese non-conforming
uses to continueand to allowpreviouslyapproved developments to commence withoutanyadditionalrevlewprocedures.Inadditionto the requirements ofthis section,the requirements
of Chapter 18.69 (Non-ConformingUses)shallapply.
19.03.190 Warninqand Disclaimer of Liability:This ordinancedoes not Imply that land outside resourcelandsandcriticalareasoractivitiesthatarepermittedwithinsuchareaswillbefreefrom
exposure or damage resulting from catastrophicnaturaldisasters whichcan,and will,occur onrareoccasions.This ordinanceshall not imposeor create anyliabilityon the part ofthe CityofMosesLake,elected or appointed officials,and or employees thereof,for any damages thatresultfromrelianceonthisordinanceoranyadministrativedecisionlawfullymadehereunder.
19.03.200 Severability:If any section,sentence,clause,or phrase of this ordinance,or the statutesadoptedhereinbyreference,should be held to be invalid or unconstitutionalby a court of
competent jurisdiction,such decision shall not affect the validityor constitutionalityof theremainingportionsofthisordinance.
Section 2.This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5)days after its passage and publication
as provided by law.
Adopted by the CityCounciland signed by its Ma em
MayorATTT:
Finance Director
APPROVEDASTOFORM:
Ity Attorney
PUBLISHED:9/11/92