Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.060 Shoreline Regulations

Article VI. Environment Designations and Requirements for Modifications and Uses in Specific Environments: Part I. Environmental Designations Established

1. The six shoreline environments are listed below:

2. The management policies are located in chapter 14 of the City of Spokane comprehensive plan.

3. The purpose and designation criteria for each shoreline environment designation are described below.

1. 1. Natural Environment (NE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the "natural" environment is to protect shoreline areas that are relatively free of human influence or that include intact or minimally degraded shoreline functions intolerant of human use. This environment allows only very low intensity uses in order to maintain the ecological functions and ecosystem-wide processes.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria

The "natural" environment designation is assigned to shoreline areas with any of the following characteristics:

1. 1. 1. 1. The shoreline is ecologically intact and therefore currently performing an important, irreplaceable function or ecosystem-wide process that would be damaged by human activity.

1. 1. 1. 2. The shoreline is considered to represent ecosystems and geologic types that are of particular scientific and educational interest; or

1. 1. 1. 3. The shoreline is unable to support new development or uses without significant adverse impacts to ecological functions or risk to human safety.

1. 1. 3. The natural environment designation delineates those shoreline areas that provide valuable functions for the larger aquatic and terrestrial environments that are sensitive to human development. Such shoreline areas include largely undisturbed portions of shoreline areas such as wetlands, unstable bluffs, spits, and ecologically intact shoreline habitats.

1. 1. 4. Ecologically intact shorelines can include both large (covering multiple properties) and small (within one property) areas which retain the majority of their natural shoreline functions. Generally, these are free of structural shoreline modification, structures, and intensive uses, and can include forested areas which have native vegetation, diverse plant communities and large woody debris.

1. 1. 5. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the natural environment.

1. 2. Urban Conservancy Environment (UCE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the "urban conservancy" environment is to protect and restore ecological functions of open space, flood plain and other sensitive lands where they exist in urban and developed settings, while allowing a variety of compatible uses.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria.

The "urban conservancy" environment designation is assigned to shoreline areas appropriate and planned for development that is compatible with maintaining or restoring the ecological functions of the area and that are not generally suitable for water-dependent uses if any of the following characteristics apply:

1. 1. 1. 1. They are suitable for water-related or water-enjoyment uses.

1. 1. 1. 2. They are open space, floodplain or other sensitive areas that should not be more intensively developed.

1. 1. 1. 3. They have potential for ecological restoration.

1. 1. 1. 4. They retain important ecological functions, even though partially developed; or

1. 1. 1. 5. They have the potential for development that is compatible with ecological restoration.

1. 1. 3. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the urban conservancy environment.

1. 3. Shoreline Residential Environment (SRE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The "shoreline residential" environment is designed to accommodate existing, small-lot residential development and accessory structures. The shoreline residential environment may also provide appropriate public access and recreational uses.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria.

The "shoreline residential" environment designation is assigned to shoreline areas if they are predominantly small-lot single-family or multi-family residential development or are planned and platted for such residential development.

1. 1. 3. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the shoreline residential environment.

1. 4. Limited Urban Environment (LUE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the “limited urban” environment is to accommodate a range and mixture of water-oriented residential, commercial, and institutional uses at moderate intensity and density levels, while protecting existing ecological functions and restoring ecological functions in areas that have been previously degraded. Water-dependent utilities and industrial uses are also accommodated. In addition, this designation provides for appropriate physical and visual public access and recreation uses. This environment is suitable for residential development, while allowing for non-residential uses with height limitations and at a significantly lower scale of intensity than is found in the intensive urban environment. This environment is intended for development that creates a unique urban waterfront environment, enhances aesthetic appeal, provides public access, and allows compatible uses.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria.

The “limited urban” environment is assigned to shoreline areas that are intended to accommodate further urban growth and infill development and that are appropriate for a mix of water-oriented residential, institutional, and limited commercial uses. Water-dependent utility and industrial uses may be accommodated. This environment may include a range and mix of uses similar to those found in the intensive urban environment, but at a significantly lower scale of intensity. This environmental designation may serve as a transition between higher intensity and lower intensity environmental designations.

1. 1. 3. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the limited urban environment.

1. 5. Intensive Urban Environment (IUE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the “intensive urban” environment is to ensure optimum, intensive public utilization of shorelines by providing high-intensity public use and managing development so that it enhances and maintains the shorelines for a variety of urban uses. Existing ecological functions within the shoreline area must be protected, and areas that have been previously degraded must be restored. Urban use of shorelines in this environment should be limited to water-oriented uses in developed areas with adequate building setbacks from the top of the riverbanks. Priority will be given to public access, both visual and physical. Pedestrian paths and cycle paths should connect to access points. Public ownership of land should be maintained and expanded along both riverbanks.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria.

The “intensive urban” environment is assigned to shoreline areas at the heart of the city that are appropriate and planned for a multiplicity of high-intensity water-oriented urban, residential, commercial, office, and industrial land uses. The density and intensity of uses within this environment are balanced with a mix of open space and recreational and cultural facilities.

1. 1. 3. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the intensive urban environment.

1. 6. Wastewater Treatment Plant Environment (WTPE).

1. 1. 1. Purpose.

The purpose of the “wastewater treatment plant” environment is to create a unique designation that specifically corresponds with and addresses wastewater treatment plants. This designation focuses on providing this essential public facility while at the same time addressing the concerns of mitigation measures, aesthetic enhancements, location, and restoration opportunities.

1. 1. 2. Designation Criteria.

This designation is assigned to wastewater treatment plant properties within the shoreline jurisdiction.

1. 1. 3. Location.

Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the wastewater treatment plant environment.

Date Passed: Monday, November 3, 2008

Effective Date: Monday, July 26, 2010

ORD C34326 Section 2