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City of Tukwila <br />Allan Ekberg, Mayor <br />INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee <br />FROM: Jack Pace, Director Community Development <br />BY: Minnie Dhaliwal, Planning Supervisor and Andrea Cummins, Urban <br />Environmentalist <br />CC: Mayor Ekberg <br />DATE: June 20, 2018 <br />SUBJECT: Update of TMC 18.45, Environmentally Sensitive Areas <br />ISSUE <br />Periodic update of the sensitive area regulations to reflect current best available science (BAS) <br />as required by the Growth Management Act. <br />BACKGROUND <br />All cities in Washington are required to adopt critical areas regulations by the Growth <br />Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.060). Critical area, as identified in the GMA include <br />wetlands, frequently flooded areas, streams, geologically hazardous areas (steep slopes), and <br />fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas. In addition, cities are to give special consideration to <br />conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or enhance anadromous fisheries. <br />Cities are required to include the best available science in developing policies and development <br />regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas (RCW 36.70A.172). All <br />jurisdictions are required to review, evaluate, and, if necessary, revise their critical areas <br />ordinances according to an update schedule provided per RCW 36.70A.130. Tukwila's sensitive <br />area regulations were adopted eight years ago in 2010. An update to the City's sensitive areas <br />ordinance is required per GMA and the City must consider and include best available science <br />(BAS). Any deviations from BAS recommendations should be identified, assessed, and <br />explained (WAC 365-195-915). Washington State Department of Ecology oversees sensitive <br />area updates and provides direction on BAS. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Elements of this update include: <br />• Comparison of existing code to BAS and development of a gap analysis to identify <br />in consistences. <br />• Development of a Departures Report, as required, identifying and explaining proposed <br />deviations from BAS. <br />• Outreach to affected property owners throughout the City to include mailings, newspaper <br />articles, webpages, and an open house. <br />• Integration of tree retention, removal and replacement requirements for trees and <br />vegetation in sensitive areas. <br />45 <br />