HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2009-11-23 Item 4I.1 - Shoreline Master Program - Attachment A.06: Shoreline Goals and Policies6. SHORELINE GOALS AND POLICIES
The goals and policies listed below are taken from the City's 1995 Comprehensive Plan.
Strikeout/underlining has been used to indicate proposed revisions to the original 1995
text to reflect changed circumstances or newer requirements. The goals and policies are
found in Chapter 5 of the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan will be
amended to reflect these changes to goals and policies.
6.1 Shoreline Environment Designations, Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.1
Goal: Shoreline Environment designations that meet Washington State Shoreline
Management Act requirements, and reflect local conditions and Tukwila's long -term
vision for its shoreline. The shoreline jurisdiction generally extends for 200 feet on either
side of the Ordinary High Water mark, consistent with the Washington State Shoreline
Management Act. In order to implement this goal, the SMP proposes three Environment
Designations: Shoreline Residential, Urban Conservancy, and High Intensity (as detailed
in the Shoreline Environment Section) that comply with the Washington State Shoreline
Management Act and function well for the City.
Policies:
New Policy 5.1.1: Shoreline Residential Environment. In the Shoreline
Residential Environment, priority shall be given to the following:
o Uses that preserve or restore the natural character of the shoreline or
promote preservation of vegetation, open space, flood plain or
sensitive area lands; and
o Development that is compatible with the natural and biological
limitations of the land and water and that will not require extensive
alteration of the shoreline or new "hard" structural shoreline
stabilization. Where possible the removal of bulkheads, revetments,
levees or other "hard" structural shoreline stabilization is required.
Hard structural shoreline stabilization may be replaced with alternative
bioengineered bank stabilization; and
o On publicly owned property, water dependent or water related
recreational activities that are compatible with the character of the
shoreline residential areas.
o Maintenance of existing single family residential development patterns
and public open space and recreation uses;
o Residential and recreational development that promotes vegetation
conservation and enhancement, sensitive areas protection, and
maintenance of water quality to assure no net loss of shoreline
ecological functions;
o Residential and recreational development that contributes to the
restoration of ecological functions over time in areas where ecological
degradation has occurred.
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Policy 5.1.2, Urban Conservancy Environment: In the Urban Conservancy
Environment priority shall be given to the following:
o Development that promotes vegetation conservation and enhancement,
sensitive areas protection, and preservation of water quality to assure
no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
o Water enjoyment uses
o Uses that remove shoreline armoring, unless required for a shoreline
dependent use;
o Uses that preserve or restore shoreline ecological functions provided
by vegetation, open space, flood plain or sensitive area lands;
o Uses that minimize interference with navigation and flood control,
consider impacts to public views, and allow for the safe, unobstructed
passage of fish and wildlife, particularly those species dependent on
migration;
o Uses that provide public access and public recreation whenever
feasible and when ecological impacts can be mitigated;
o Development that is compatible with the natural and biological
limitations of the land and water that do not require extensive
alteration of the shoreline or new shoreline stabilization, except for
restoration projects.
o Uses that provide public access and public recreation whenever
feasible and ecological impacts can be mitigated;
o Enhancement and restoration of ecological functions; and
o Redevelopment of underutilized areas and development of commercial
and industrial activities where shoreline impacts are minimized and
where there is no net loss of shoreline functions.
New Policy 5.1.3, High Intensity Shoreline Environment: In the High
Intensity Environment, priority shall be given to the following:
o Water dependent commercial and industrial uses;
o Development that promotes vegetation conservation and enhancement,
sensitive areas protection, and preservation of water quality to assure
no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
o Uses that remove shoreline armoring, unless required for a shoreline
dependent use;
o Uses that preserve or restore shoreline ecological functions provided
by vegetation, open space, flood plain or sensitive area lands;
o Uses that minimize interference with navigation and flood control,
consider impacts to public views, and allow for the safe, unobstructed
passage of fish and wildlife, particularly those species dependent on
migration;
o Uses that provide public access and public recreation whenever
feasible and when ecological impacts can be mitigated;
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Policies:
o Development that is compatible with the natural and biological
limitations of the land and water that do not require extensive
alteration of the shoreline or new shoreline stabilization, except for
restoration projects.
o Uses that provide public access and public recreation whenever
feasible and ecological impacts can be mitigated;
o Enhancement and restoration of ecological functions; and
o Redevelopment of underutilized areas and development of intensive
commercial and industrial activities where shoreline impacts are
minimized and where there is no net loss of shoreline functions.
6.2 Shoreline Planninu and Manauement. Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.2
Goal: Expanded value of the river as a community and regional resource through
regional coordination of shoreline management programs and through programs that
foster river appreciation and awareness, involving partnerships among businesses,
schools, government and community organizations.
Policy 5.2.1: Coordinate shoreline planning and management activities with
other local jurisdictions and their plans such as the WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat
Plan and the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan to establish
region -wide consistency in addressing river issues with regional implications,
such as economic development, public access, wildlife habitat, water quality
control and flood control.
Policy 5.2.2: Promote river stewardship and increase river awareness through
actions which further shoreline goals, such as educational programs,
community activities, and partnerships with Tukwila residents, businesses,
schools, government, and community organizations.
New Policy 5.2.3: Promote and participate in the implementation of the
Watershed Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 9 Plan, including supporting the
recommended projects located in Tukwila to improve the habitat functions of
the Green/Duwamish River, as well as the Plan policies and goals.
C. Implementation Strategies:
WRIA 9 Salmon Habitat Plan
Tukwila SMP Restoration Plan
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6.3 Land Development Use and Economic Vitality, Comnrehensive Plan Goal
5.3
Goal: Development along the shoreline that fosters the economic vitality of Tukwila
while preserving the long -term benefits of the river.
Policies:
Policy 5.3.1: Implement Shoreline Design Guidelines to:
o Encourage design that views the river as an amenity;
o Guide the design of multiple shoreline uses;
o Establish techniques for increasing multiple shoreline use;
o Prioritize locations for use;
o Encourage removal of invasive species with nonchemical methods and
maintenance of native planted vegetation to minimize the presence of
invasive species.
Policy 5.3.2: Design and locate all shoreline development to minimize impacts
on areas identified as important for other river uses, such as wildlife and
aquatic habitat, river vegetation, public access and recreation, historical
resource and flood control.
Policy 5.3.3: When no other feasible alternative exists, aAllow structures for
water dependent uses to be placed in the water, or structural reinforcement of
the riverbank, only when this provides a significant, long -term public benefit,
does not interfere with navigation or flood management, does not cause a loss
of shoreline function or is essential to a water dependent use.
Policy 5.3.4: Prohibit the construction of new flood control facilities unless
constructed to incorporate habitat restoration features and work to remove
existing shoreline armoring where possible— to restore habitat functions.
Policy 5.3.5: Recognize and promote the river's contribution to the economic
vitality of Tukwila, as a valuable amenity for existing and future businesses
which depend on or benefit from a shoreline location.
Policy 5.3.6: Ensure that shoreline development does not diminish the
commercial navigability of the River.
Policy 5.3.7: Tukwila Urban Center Development Policy: Design and locate
shoreline development in the Tukwila Urban Center to encourage water
enjoyment uses that:
o Provide for shoreline multiple uses that are consistent with the
underlying zoning;
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o Provide additional benefits, such as riverbank restoration, fishing
piers, non motorized boat launches, river views, or interpretive signs;
o Support public access to and along the shoreline;
o Provide water enjoyment uses as transitions between the river and
non -water dependent uses;
o Encourage efficient use of land, through such techniques as clustering,
mixed use projects, cooperative parking or parking located under
principal structures, and shared utility and access corridors.
o Ensure that new development and re- development in the Urban Center
acknowledges the goal of a continuous street facade along Christensen
Road and the riverfront and locates parking facilities to the interior of
the lot.
Implementation Strategies for Policy 5.3.7:
o .Shoreline Design Guidelines
o Development Standards
o Tukwila Urban Center Plan
MIC Development Policy 5.3.8: Ensure that non -water dependent shoreline
development in the MIC provides for shoreline multiple uses to the extent that
site security and the success of industrial operations are not jeopardized;
ensures no net loss of shoreline function and provides adequate mitigation for
the loss of shoreline multiple use opportunities.
MIC Development Policy 5.3.9: Allow opportunities for commercial and
recreational marinas to locate in Tukwila downstream of the turning basin,
where compatible with existing and future navigability and existing and future
ecological restoration projects.
Policy 5.3.10: Development outside the Tukwila Urban Center or MIC:
Design and locate shoreline development outside of the Tukwila Urban Center
and the MIC to:
o Provide for multiple shoreline uses;
o Provide water enjoyment uses as transitions between the river and
non -water dependent uses;
o Encourage efficient use of land through such techniques as clustering,
mixed -use projects, cooperative parking or parking located under
principal structures, and shared utility and access corridors;
o Treat the river as an amenity in the design and location of the project.
6.4 Private Propertv Rights. Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.4
Goal: Protect rights of property owners to reasonable use and enjoyment of private
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property, through appropriate location, access to, and design of shoreline uses.
Policies
Policy 5.4.1: Design, locate and manage shoreline uses in a manner which
maintains reasonable use and enjoyment of private property.
Policy5.4.2: Design and locate public access in a way that is appropriate for
the site, depending on site conditions and private property concerns.
Policy 5.4.3: Special sensitivity is required for residential property; therefore,
all single family residential development of four or fewer single family
residential lots is excluded from requirements to provide private or public
access. Single family property owners are not exempt from the responsibility
to improve the habitat value of the shoreline environment.
Policy 5.4.4. Maintain flexibility in methods of obtaining public access, to
allow for different site conditions and private property concerns that might
conflict with public access, such as privacy, safety, and security.
New Policy 5.4.5: Obtain additional easement area to permit the improvement
of river habitat by setting back levees or removing revetments and other hard
shoreline armoring and replacing with more habitat friendly shoreline
treatment.
6.5 Shoreline Design Quality, Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.5
Goal: Enhanced identity of the river as a unique community asset through high quality
development and public activities that reflect Tukwila's history and sense of community
pride.
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Policies:
Policy 5.5.1: Require that shoreline development outside of the MIC:
o Ensures no net loss of shoreline function;
o Is designed to be consistent with Tukwila Shoreline Design
Guidelines;
o Reflects principles of high quality design, in such areas as site
planning, architecture and landscaping;
o Includes setbacks, bulk, height, density, landscape buffers and
provisions for open space that enhance the shoreline environment.
Implementation Strategies for P -1 `.S
_,Ign guidelines
o Shoreline development standards
o Tukwila Urban Center Plan
Policy 5.5.2: Require that shoreline development in the MIC:
o Is designed to be consistent with Tukwila Shoreline Design
Guidelines;
o Maintains or enhances the existing visual quality along the river;
o Provides trees and other landscaping to buffer industrial uses that are
incompatible with other river uses;
o Provides amenities that enhance enjoyment of the river by employees.
Implementation Strategies for Policy 5.5.2:
o Shoreline design guidelines
o Shoreline development standards
6.6 Access and Recreational Use, Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.6
Goal: Increase the amount and diversity of opportunities for public recreation and access
to and along the river, including visual and cultural access, access to the water's edge,
opportunities for small boat navigation and access, and connections to other
neighborhoods, consistent with the shoreline character.
Policies:
Policy 5.6.1: Retain and improve areas identified as important in the network
of public access to the river, including cross -town connections, former
railroad right -of -ways and unimproved street -end right -of -ways, historic sites,
unique natural features or other areas valuable for their interpretive potential.
New Policy 5.6.2: Maintain existing parks along the shoreline and acquire
additional park land to increase access and recreation opportunities.
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Policy 5.6.3: Incorporate river access requirements to guide the design,
location and management of shoreline public access in short plats over 4 lots
and all subdivisions as well as multi family, commercial and industrial
development; to identify types of access appropriate and feasible for various
site conditions and locations; and to establish strategies, funding sources and
priorities for acquisition and enhancement of shoreline public access.
Implementation Strategies for Policies 5.6.1 5.6.3:
o Shoreline design guidelines
o Shoreline access guidelines
o Shoreline development standards
o Walk and Roll Plan
o Parks and Open Space Plan
Policy 5.6.4: Design, locate and manage public access for diverse types and
variable levels of intensity in order to minimize impacts on vulnerable
features of the natural environment and to minimize conflicts with private
property uses.
Policy 5.6.5: Where shoreline development provides public access areas,
reserve such areas for use by the public through the means most appropriate
for the type, scale and impacts of the development, such as dedication,
donation or sale of an easement or right -of -way to the City.
Policy 5.6.6: Support the implementation of the King County Green River
Trail, per the existing King County Green River Trail Master Plan as well as
pedestrian/bicycle connections with the Trail from properties on the opposite
bank and the expansion of this trail where appropriate.
Policies for Development outside MIC:
Policy 5.6.7: Require subdivisions, multi family residential uses and
commercial and industrial uses along the shoreline to provide a trail for public
access along the river in areas identified for trail connections, consistent with
the King County Green River Trail Master Plan, Shoreline Master Program or
any other approved access plan.
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Implementation Strategies for Policy 5.6.7
o King County Green River Trail Master Plan
o Shoreline public access standards
o Walk and Roll Plan
o Parks and Open Space Plan
e• Policy 5.6.8: Where shoreline public access is provided, ensure that it is
designed to be safe and convenient and includes access amenities such as
benches, drinking fountains, public parking areas, handicapped access, and
appropriate lighting, consistent with the shoreline access guidelines.
Implementation Strategies for Policy 5.6.8
o King County Green River Trail Master Plan
o Shoreline public access standards
o Walk and Roll Plan
o Parks and Open Space Plan
Policy 5.6.9: Except for single- family residential development of four or
fewer single family residential lots, shoreline development shall maintain and
encourage views of the water from the shoreline and from upland area,
through design of building height, bulk and modulation, and windows,
breezeways and outdoor spaces.
Implementation Strategies
o Shoreline design guidelines
New Policy 5.6.10: Public access improvements should be designed and
constructed to:
o Look and "feel" welcoming to the public;
o Connect to public areas, street ends, and other pedestrian or public
throughfares;
o Enhance the character of Tukwila;
o Avoid conflicts with water dependent uses;
o Provide for public safety and minimize impacts to private property
and individual privacy and security;
o Require a low level of operation and maintenance;
o Ensure that construction (i.e. structures and access pathways)
incorporates environmentally sensitive design and materials (e.g.,
non toxic, natural materials)
Policy 5.6.11: Improve pedestrian connections between the river, Green River
Trail and the planned Riverwalk and the Urban Center's commercial, office
and residential uses.
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Policies for Development in MIC
Policy 5.6.12: For MIC properties included in the King County Green River
Trail Master Plan or other approved access plan, require shoreline
development to provide a trail for public access along the river.
Policy 5.6.13: Where shoreline public access is provided, ensure that it is
designed to be safe and convenient and includes access amenities such as
benches, drinking fountains, public parking areas, handicapped access and
appropriate lighting, consistent with the shoreline access guidelines.
Policy 5.6.14: For MIC properties not included in the King County Green
River Trail Plan, require shoreline development to provide public access or a
private natural area in lieu of public access, or otherwise mitigate the loss of
public access.
Implementation Strategies for Policies 5.6.12 -14
o Shoreline design guidelines
o Shoreline access guidelines
o Walk and Roll Plan
o Parks and Open Space
6.7 Transportation within the Shoreline Jurisdiction. Comprehensive Plan
Goal 5.7
Goal: Safe corridors and amenities for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public
transportation, allowing more citizens to access and enjoy the river.
Policies:
Policy 5.7.1: Design and locate transportation uses within the shoreline
jurisdiction to be compatible with shoreline vegetation or other habitat
features, turn-outs or parking areas for public access, biofiltration swales to
protect water quality, public art or interpretive signs.
Policy 5.7.2: Ensure the transportation uses within the shoreline jurisdiction
and within those corridors identified as river cross connections provide safe,
convenient and attractive pedestrian, bicycle and boater access and facilities
for public transportation.
Policy 5.7.3: Minimize transportation impacts to the natural environment
(such as air, noise, odor or water pollution) and enhance the natural
environment wherever possible through planting trees and other habitat
features.
Policy 5.7.4: Encourage maintenance of the river's navigability up to the
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Turning Basin, where this achieves a greater public interest and a balance
between costs and benefits to the broader community and impacts to the
habitat functions of the river, in recognition of the historical significance of
navigation and its importance to the economic vitality of water dependent
uses and the MIC
6.8 Historical Resource Use and Archaeological Protection. Comprehensive
Plan Goal 5.8
Goal: Recognition of the river's contribution to Tukwila history and community identity
through identification, enhancement, restoration, and protection of sites with historic and
cultural value and through development of interpretive and educational programs
Policies
Policy 5.8.1: Ensure that shoreline development reflects the river's important
role in Tukwila's history and that long -term public use of the river as an
historical resource is protected by providing for the identification, protection
and interpretation of unique historic and archaeological features.
Policies
Policy 5 8 2• Ensure that public shoreline development reflects the river's
natural features and community traditions.
New Policy 5.8.3: Ensure that archaeological artifacts and sites are protected
when development takes place in the shoreline jurisdiction.
6.9 Natural Environment and Habitat Use, Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.9
Goal: Restored, enhanced, and protected natural environment resources along the river,
including trees, wildlife habitat and features with value for long -term public, scientific
and educational uses.
Policy 5.9.1:Ensure that shoreline development results in no net loss of
shoreline ecological function, minimizes impacts on wildlife and that
significant vegetation, sandbars, wetlands, watercourses, and other critical
areas identified as important for habitat are maintained through the proper
location, design, construction, and management of all shoreline uses and
activities.
Policy 5.9.2: Ensure that shoreline development and activities protect
riverbank vegetation and, where feasible, restore degraded riverbanks in
accordance with the vegetation management provisions of the Shoreline
Master Program, in order to minimize and compensate for impacts to fish and
wildlife habitat.
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Policy 5.9.3: Mitigate unavoidable disturbances of significant vegetation or
habitat through replacement of habitat and provision of interpretive features
consistent with the shoreline access guidelines.
New Policy 5.9.4: Support relief from certain shoreline master program
requirements for properties affected by habitat restoration projects that result
in the movement of the ordinary high water mark.
New Policy 5.9.5: Support establishing the Transition Zone as the priority
area for habitat restoration oroiects given its importance for subtidal and
intertidal habitats to allow salrnonids to gradually adiust to the change
between fresh and saltwater conditions.
6.10 Water Oualitv. Surface Water and Flood Control Use, Comprehensive
Plan Goal 5.10
Goal: Improved water quality and quantity control programs affecting the
Green/Duwamish River that improve the river's water quality, provide habitat for fish and
wildlife, protect public health and safety, and enhance public enjoyment of the river.
Policies:
Policy 5.10.1: Design, locate, and manage shoreline development including
streets, flood control projects, surface water drainage and sewer systems,
clearing and grading activities, and landscaping in a manner which minimizes
opportunities for pollutants to enter the river, provides erosion control and
otherwise protects water quality.
Policy 5.10.2: Design, manage, and mitigate flood control uses to minimize
impacts to other shoreline uses such as trees and riverbank vegetation, public
access and recreation, and fish habitat; and set them back from the river,
where feasible for the project, with land areas between the water and the levee
set aside as open space for public recreation or wildlife habitat.
Policy 5.10.3: Consistent with project feasibility, mitigate unavoidable
negative impacts on other shoreline uses owing to flood control uses through
such measures as restoration of trees and native riverbank vegetation,
provision of public access to the water's edge, interpretive features, or other
mitigation of loss of opportunities for shoreline multiple uses.
New Policy 5.10.4: Obtain additional easements, where needed, from property
owners to set back levees to improve shoreline habitat functions. As
redevelopment occurs, replace bulkheads, revetments or other hard bank
stabilization with more natural riverbanks to improve ecological functions and
habitat where possible.
C. Implementation Strategies
Increase levee setback to incorporate vegetated mid -slope benches
Shoreline access guidelines
Surface Water Management Plan
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6.11 Public Health. Safety and Welfare. Comprehensive Plan Goal 5.11
Goal: Shoreline uses that do not endanger public health, safety and welfare, or the
capacity of the river to provide long -term benefits and resources to the community.
Policies:
WRIA 9 Plan water quality policies
Shoreline Restoration Plan
Policy 5.11.1: Design, locate, and manage shoreline uses, such as capital
improvement projects and private development, in a manner that does not
endanger public health, safety and welfare, and enhances the capacity of the
river to provide long -term benefits and resources to the community and the
environment.
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