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
TABLE 17E.060-2
SHORELINE ENVIRONMENT DESIGNATIONS
Natural
NE
Urban Conservancy
UCE
Shoreline Residential
SRE
Limited Urban
LUE
Intensive Urban
IUE
Wastewater Treatment Plant
WTPE
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.
The "natural" environment designation is assigned to shoreline areas with any of the following characteristics:
Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the natural environment.
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.
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:
Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the urban conservancy environment.
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.
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.
Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the shoreline residential environment.
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.
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.
Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the limited urban environment.
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.
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.
Refer to shoreline environment designations maps for general locations of the intensive urban environment.
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.
This designation is assigned to wastewater treatment plant properties within the shoreline jurisdiction.
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