Title
Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review - Public Hearing
Recommended Action
Conduct public hearing to receive public comments on draft revisions to the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and related revisions to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
Report
Issue:
Public Hearing on the draft Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review and related revisions to the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development
Dan Nickel, Vice President, The Watershed Company, Environmental Consultants
Kim Van Zwalenburg, Senior Shoreline Planner, Washington State Dept. of Ecology
Background and Analysis:
Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) are local land use policies and regulations that guide development and the use of most shorelines. SMPs apply to both public and private uses for lakes, streams, associated wetlands, and marine shorelines. They protect natural resources for future generations, provide for public access to public waters and shores, and plan for water-dependent uses. SMPs must be consistent with the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58) and must be approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).
SMPs must be reviewed and, if necessary, updated to ensure they remain compliant with state laws and local comprehensive plans. This review must be completed every eight (8) years and is known as the "Periodic Review". Olympia's SMP Periodic Review must be completed no later than June 30, 2021.
Ecology provides technical assistance, guidance documents, and grant funding for this work. Ecology's grant contract requires completion of five tasks, designed to ensure local governments complete the required Periodic Review. The primary task is to review the SMP and draft revisions, if needed.
The City used Ecology's checklist and determined that some changes are needed. This analysis was ...
Click here for full text