Ord 2625 - TMC Title 18 Chapters - Critical Areas Regulations

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D. Critical Area Study — Modifications to Requirements. 1. The Director may limit the required geographic area of the critical area study as appropriate if the applicant, with assistance from the City, cannot obtain permission to access properties adjacent to the project area. 2. The Director may allow modifications to the required contents of the study where, in the judgment of a qualified professional, more or less information is required to adequately address the potential critical area impacts and required mitigation. E. Review of Studies. The Department of Community Development will review and verify the information submitted in the critical area study to confirm the nature and type of the critical area. The Public Works Department shall seek a peer review of the geotechnical report on Class 3 and 4 slopes; and peer review on Class 2 slopes may be required at the discretion of the Public Works Director. Peer review of the geotechnical reports shall be at the expense of the applicants. For all other critical areas and at the discretion of the Director, critical area studies may undergo peer review, at the expense of the applicant. Section 25. TMC Section 18.45.070 is hereby reenacted to read as follows: 18.45.070 Critical Area Permitted Activities A. Outright Permitted Activities. T subject to the provisions of TMC Chapter 21 chapter, if applicable: ie following activities are outright permitted 04 and of the mitigation requirements of this 1. Maintenance and repair of existing facilities provided no alteration or additional fill materials will be placed or heavy construction equipment used in the critical area or buffer. 2. Site exploration or research that does not include use of heavy equipment or native vegetation removal. 3. Maintenance and repair of essential streets, roads, rights -of -way, or utilities, and placement, maintenance, and repair of new fiberoptic utilities within existing improved and paved roads. 4. Actions to remedy the effects of emergencies that threaten the public health, safety or welfare. 5. Maintenance activities of existing landscaping and gardens in a critical area buffer including, but not limited, to mowing lawns, weeding, harvesting and replanting of garden crops and pruning and planting of vegetation. This provision does not apply to removal of established native trees and shrubs, or to the excavation, filling, and construction of new landscaping features, such as concrete work, berms and walls. w:\Legislative Development\Critical Areas update 2-25-20 MD:bjs Review and analysis by Barbara Saxton Page 14 of 87