BOCC Exhibits A-E ECY Approved SMP-Code Amendments

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Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners Shoreline Master Program Adopting Ordinance Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program Exhibit D | March 2016 | Page 270 of 339 c. The land adjacent to the ordinary high water mark and extending throughout the standard habitat buffer is steeply sloped (greater than forty percent (40%) slope) and there are no designated landslide hazards within the area of shoreline jurisdiction, such that an increased buffer may be required to protect ecological functions; and d. The adequacy of the standard width to prevent habitat degradation and protect the structure and functions of the habitat area. 6. Buffer for aquatic habitat conservation area mitigation sites: Any aquatic habitat conservation area that is created, restored, or enhanced as compensation for approved alterations shall be the same as the buffer required for the category of the created, restored, or enhanced aquatic habitat conservation area. 7. Buffer averaging: The Administrator may allow averaging of the aquatic habitat buffer widths in the Table at KCC 17B.05.020K-1 when necessary to accommodate a single-family residence or residential subdivision of four (4) or fewer lots. With buffer averaging, the buffer width is reduced in one location and increased in another location to maintain the same overall buffer area. Proposals for buffer averaging shall not require a shoreline variance or compensatory mitigation if the following conditions are met: a. The buffer has not been averaged or reduced by any prior actions administered by Kittitas County; b. No feasible site design could be accomplished without buffer averaging; c. An approved critical area report demonstrates that the buffer averaging will not reduce stream or habitat functions or adversely affect salmon habitat; d. The minimum width of the buffer at any given point is at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the standard width per the Table at KCC 17B.05.020K-1, or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is greater; and e. The area that is added to the buffer to offset the reduction is well-vegetated. The Administrator may require vegetation enhancement if needed to ensure this criterion is met. 8. Buffer reduction: On sites that lack well-vegetated buffers, the Administrator may allow reduction of the aquatic habitat buffer widths in the Table at KCC 17B.05.020K-1 when necessary to accommodate a single-family residence or residential subdivision of four (4) or fewer lots. The buffer reduction shall be allowed only in those limited instances when adherence to the standard buffer is infeasible or presents a substantial hardship because of site conditions, lot configuration or other circumstances. Residential subdivisions of more than four (4) lots shall not be eligible for buffer reduction, except through a shoreline variance. Buffers that have been averaged or reduced by any prior actions administered by Kittitas County shall not be further reduced. Proposals for buffer reduction on such sites shall not require a shoreline variance if the following conditions are met: a. The existing buffer is predominantly unvegetated, composed of nuisance species or in an otherwise highly disturbed condition; b. The minimum width of the reduced buffer is at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the standard width per the Table at KCC 17B.05.020K-1; c. The reduced portion of the buffer cannot exceed forty percent (40%) of the buffer length on the development property; d. A critical area report demonstrates that the reduction will not result in a net loss of shoreline and aquatic habitat functions and values; e. The reduced buffer area is planted and enhanced with species native to central Washington; and f. A mitigation plan is developed and implemented, per the requirements of KCC 17B.05.020E. 9. Prior to approving a request for buffer averaging or reduction, the Administrator shall ensure the development is designed to separate and screen the stream from impacts such as