Critical Areas Protection

Objective

Revising and updating City Policies, Strategies and Regulations (both Development Regulations and Critical Area Regulations), to better protect the human and natural environment in balance with increased regional housing demands and development.

Approach

The EEC will emphasize “other applicable State law” in its recommendations including:

  • Avoid directing new growth to areas with high probability of conflicts between new development and protecting critical areas
    [WAC 365-196-485(4)]
  • Areas adjacent to critical areas shall be protected to ensure protection of the functions and values of critical areas.
    [ECDC 23.40.040 (D)]
  • Criteria for including the best available science in developing policies and development regulations
    [WAC 365-195-915]
  • Avoiding environmental impacts through appropriate land use designations [WAC 365-196-485(4)]
  • Identifying open space corridors within and between urban growth areas for multiple purposes, including those areas needed as critical habitat by wildlife [WAC 365-196-485(1)(c)]
  • Retaining and Expanding Open Space
    [RCW 36.70A.020]
  • Conserving Fish and Wildlife Habitat including protecting wildlife corridors and preventing stormwater adverse impacts on aquatic habitat
    [RCW 36.70A.020]
  • Enhancing the State’s High Quality of Life, Including Air and Surface Water Quality
    [RCW 36.70A.020]
  • Identifying Critical Areas and adjacent buffer areas with an overlay designation on the Future Land Use and Zoning Maps
  • Reviewing drainage, flooding, and stormwater runoff in the area and nearby
    jurisdictions and provide guidance for corrective actions to mitigate or cleanse those discharges that pollute waters of the state or waters entering Puget Sound
    [RCW 36.70A.070]
Current efforts
  • Edmonds’ Critical Area Ordinance Update
    An EEC committee is meeting regularly with Edmonds Senior Planner Brad Shipley to assist in developing recommended revisions to the critical area ordinance for the Planning Board, to better protect the functions and values of all critical areas.
    • 🆕 City Council passes Critical Areas Ordinance – Council approved a clarified and reorganized process, with EEC assistance and Best Available Science, for building permit applications in critical areas including necessary protections such as banning injection of contaminated stormwater into drinking water aquifers.
  • Amendments to the City of Edmonds Comprehensive Plan
    The EEC is developing input for a potential “Critical Area Program” Amendment that the City Council approved for staff to develop further for Council consideration.
  • Development Regulations
    The EEC is tracking and providing comments regarding environmental protections on the
    revisions to City code that incorporate State legislative requirements for increased housing density and affordable housing (HB 1110, HB 1220, HB 1337, etc.)
CRITICAL AREA PROGRAM AMENDMENTDownload
Packed Council Chambers for April 1st Meeting
Packed Council Chambers for April 1st Meeting
Critical Areas Protection in the News