§ 24.35.260. Critical area reports required.

All applications for projects requiring a critical area review permit (see Chapter 24.40 TCC) on sites containing important habitats and species areas or associated buffers shall include a critical area report as specified in this section. The critical area report for important habitats and species may also be referred to as a habitat management plan. If the use or activity is proposed to be located within an important habitat area or an associated buffer, a mitigation plan shall also be submitted.

A.

Critical area reports shall be prepared by a qualified professional biologist with experience preparing reports for the relevant species or type of habitat. The report shall be prepared in consultation with staff from the appropriate state agency, such as WDFW or DNR.

B.

The approval authority shall verify compliance with the applicable standards contained in Chapters 24.01, 24.25, 24.65 TCC, and 24.70, prior to authorizing the proposed use or activity.

C.

All proposals for land development activities, including land clearing, on a prairie soil type shown in Table 24.25-6 (Chapter 24.25 TCC), or in an area that could be classified as a prairie or oak habitat under this chapter, or are within six hundred feet of those habitats, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter, except where one of the following conditions exist:

1.

Proposals for which there is no expansion of the structural footprint of an existing structure, or where there is no change in the location and area of existing impervious surfaces; or

2.

Minor road and street improvements (refer to WAC 197-11-800(2)(c)); or

3.

Developed parcels less than one acre in size for which an accessory structure or an addition to the primary structure is proposed, and which are surrounded by similarly sized and similarly developed lots, where developed means the presence of a primary structure(s), with associated paving, lawns, or non-native landscaping; or

4.

New development is proposed on vacant parcels less than one-half acre in size surrounded by similar sized developed lots, where developed means the presence of a primary structure(s), with associated paving, lawns or non-native landscaping.

For the purposes of this section, a structure shall not include sheds, agriculture buildings, buildings less than two hundred square feet, or similar structures as determined by the approval authority.

(Ord. No. 14773, § 3(Att. B), 7-24-2012)