Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Critical Areas Ordinance to Add Habitat and Species Protections for Great Blue Heron
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee has received updates and provided direction during the process of developing this proposal.
At its October 2, 2017, meeting, the Olympia Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend approval of the attached ordinance.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the ordinance adding a new section of the Olympia Critical Areas Ordinance (OMC 18.32) to provide additional protections for Great Blue Heron rookeries on second reading.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt the proposed amendments to the Critical Areas Ordinance, which include additional protections Great Blue Heron rookeries as locally important habitats.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
Background and analysis has not changed from first to second reading.
The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) required the City to update its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) in 2016 to ensure it was consistent with the Best Available Science (BAS) and to protect anadromous fish. In 2015, the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) directed staff to conduct an update of the City's CAO in two phases:
* Phase 1 - the state-mandated update to include BAS and protect anadromous fish. Phase 1 was completed by City Council adoption of Ordinance 7030 on August 16, 2016 (see Attachment 2).
* Phase 2 - review potential additional protections for locally important habitat and species, including Great Blue Heron.
State law requires that protection measures for critical areas that occur along shorelines must be included in the City's Shoreline Master Program (RCW 36.70A.480). So, to ensure the City's CAO provisions also apply in shore...
Click here for full text