Ord-2021-006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Kittitas County Shoreline Master Program f. The area that is added to the buffer to offset the reduction is well-vegetated. The Administrator may require vegetation enhancement and a mitigation plan, if needed, to ensure this criterion is met. 7. Buffer reduction: On sites that lack well-vegetated wetland buffers, the Administrator may allow reduction of the buffer widths in Table 5.2-1 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 and non-water-dependent non-water-related developments 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 un-vegetated, 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 (75oh) of the standard width per Table 5.2-1; c. The reduced portion of the buffer cannot exceed forty percent (a0%) 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 wetland 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 Section 5.2. 8. lncreased wetland buffers: The Administrator shall increase wetland buffer zone widths, up to a maximum of two (2) times the standard width in Table 5.2-1,for a development project on a case-by-case basis when a larger buffer is necessary to protect wetland functions and values. Such determination shall be based on site- specific and project-related conditions which include, but are not limited to, the following circumstances: a. Wetland sites with known locations of state priority or federally listed endangered, threatened, or sensitive species for which a habitat management plan indicates a larger buffer is necessary to protect habitat values for such species; or b. The adjacent land is susceptible to severe erosion, and erosion control best management practices will not effectively prevent adverse wetland impacts. 9. Allowed buffer uses: The following uses may be permitted within a wetland buffer without a variance provided they are not prohibited by any other applicable law, are consistent with the provisions of this Program, and they are conducted in a manner Chapter 5 March 7,2016 67