Ord-2021-016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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b. Whether the land adjacent to the wetland is susceptible to severe erosion. and erosion control best management practices will not effectivelv prevent adverse wetland imoacts. 1 1. Buffer Averaqinq. The Director mav allow averaqinq of the standard buffer widths in accordance with an approved critical areas report on a case-bv-case basis. With buffer averaqinq, the buffer width is reduced in one location and increased in another location to maintain the same overall buffer area. ln such cases. the minimum width of the buffer at anv qiven point shall be at least seventy-five percent (75Yo\ of the standard width, or twenty-five (25) feet, whichever is qreater. Proposals for buffer averaqinq shall meet all the followino: a. The wetland buffer has not been averaqed or reduced by any prior actions:b. No feasible site desisn could be accomplished without buffer averaqinq:c. The wetland contains variations in sensitivitv due to existinq phvsical characteristics or the character of the buffer varies in slooe. soils. or veqetation. and the wetland would benefit from a wider buffer in places and would not be adversely impacted bv a narrower buffer in other places: d. The averaoinq will not have a siqnificant adverse impact on wetland functions and values: and e. The area that is added to the buffer to offset the reduction will be well-veqetated. The Director mav require veqetation enhancement if needed to ensure this criterion is met. 12. Mitigation for Buffer Averaginq. Prior to aporovinq a request for wetland buffer averaqinq. the Director shall ensure the development is desiqned to separate and screen the wetland from impacts such as noise. glare. veqetation trampling. intrusion. etc to the degree feasible. The site design shall consider the varyinq deqrees of impacts of different land uses. For example. parkinq lots. store entrances. and roads qenerally have hiqher noise and qlare impacts than the rear of a store. Site screenino should take advantaqe of natural topoqraphy or existino veqetation. wherever possible. Where natural screeninq is not available. berms. landscapinq. and structural screens should be imolemented as mav be required bv the Director (e.q., orient buildinos to screen parkinq lots and store entrances from critical areas). 13. Allowed Buffer Uses. The Director mav allow the followino alterations and development within a wetland buffer provided that thev are conducted in a manner so as to minimize impacts to the buffer and adjacent wetland. including wetland functions and values: a. Conservation or restoration activities aimed at protectinq or enhancinq the soil. water. veqetation. or wildlife. b. The followinq passive recreation facilities desiqned in accordance with an approved critical areas report:i. Walkways and trails: provided that those pathways which are generallv parallel to the perimeter of the wetland shall be located in the outer twentv- five percent (25%) of the buffer area and constructed with a surface that is not impervious to water. Raised boardwalks utilizinq non-treated pilinqs mav be acceptable; and ii. Wildlife viewinq structures less than five hundred (500) square feet in size, includinq huntins blinds.c. Stormwater manaoement facilities. limited to stormwater convevance and dispersion facilities. outfalls and bioswales. mav be allowed within the outer twentv-five percent (25%) of the buffer of wetlands in accordance with an approved critical areas report provided that:i. No other location is feasible: ii. The facilitv is designed to meet or exceed the standards set forth in the current version of the Stormwater Manual for Eastern Washinqton: and iii. The location of such facility will not deqrade the functions or values of the wetland. 60