Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17E Environmental Standards

Chapter 17E.070 Wetlands Protection

Section 17E.070.080 Application Submittal Requirements

1. A pre-development conference is required for all regulated activities proposed in potential wetland areas and associated buffers per chapter 17G.061 SMC. The pre-development conference is intended to acquaint an applicant with standards, requirements, investigation procedures, best management practice, and potential review procedures prior to submitting an application.

2. All activities identified in SMC 17E.070.040 shall meet the following application submittal requirements in addition to the application submittal requirements specified in other codes. The director may modify the submittal requirements based upon reasonable documentation, including BAS, needed to ensure compliance with this chapter, provided no construction activity, clearing, or grading has taken place. A written summary of analysis and findings shall be included in any staff report or decision on the underlying permit.

   1. Wetlands Report.  This report shall include a written assessment and accompanying maps of the impacted wetland including, at a minimum, wetland delineation and rating as determined by SMC 17E.070.100; existing wetland acreage; proposed wetland impacts; alternatives to wetlands impacts; proposed wetland buffer; vegetative, faunal and hydrological characteristics; soil and substrate conditions and topographic elevations; and shall be submitted as a part of the permit application. 

   2. Topographic Survey. To the extent not provided in the wetlands report, a topographic site plan, prepared and stamped by a State of Washington licensed surveyor, is required for sites that include a wetland or its buffer.  The topographic site plan shall include the following existing physical elements:

      1. Existing topography at two-foot contour intervals on-site, on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and on the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements;

      2. Terrain and stormwater-flow characteristics within the site, on adjacent sites within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and on the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements;

      3. Location of areas with significant amounts of vegetation, and specific location and description of all trees with trunks six inches or greater in diameter at breast height (dbh) measured four feet, six inches above the ground, and noting their species;

      4. Location and boundaries of all existing site improvements on the site, on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and on the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements. This shall include the amounts of developmental coverage, including all impervious surfaces (noting total square footage and percentage of site occupied);

      5. Location of all ongoing grading activities as well as all natural and artificial drainage control facilities or systems in existence on the site or on adjacent lands, within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and in the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements;

      6. Location of all existing utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, cable, etc.), both above and below ground, on the site, on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines and in the full width of abutting public rights-of-way; and

      7. Additional information on existing physical elements on the site and surrounding area as required by the director to inform a complete review of a project subject to the standards of this chapter.

   3. Additional Site Plan Information.  To the extent not provided in the wetlands report, the following site plan information shall also be required for sites that include wetlands and their buffers.  Information related to the location and boundaries of wetlands and required buffer delineations shall be prepared by qualified professionals with training and experience in their respective area of expertise as demonstrated to the satisfaction of the director.

      1. Location and boundaries of all wetlands and wetland buffer on the site and on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, noting both total square footage and percentage of site;

      2. Location and identification of all wetlands within one hundred feet of the site's property lines;

      3. Location and boundaries of all proposed site improvements on the site, on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and on the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements. This shall include the amount of proposed land disturbing activities, including amounts of developmental coverage, impervious surfaces and construction activity areas (noting total square footage and percentage of site occupied);

      4. Location of all proposed grading activities and all proposed drainage control facilities or systems on the site or on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, and on the full width of abutting public and private rights-of-way and easements;

      5. Location of all proposed utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric, phone, cable, etc.), both above and below ground, on the site, on adjacent lands within twenty-five feet of the site's property lines, in the full width of abutting public rights-of-way, and any proposed extension required to connect to existing utilities, and proposed methods and locations for the proposed development to hook-up to these services; and

      6. Such additional site plan information related to the proposed development as required by the director to inform a complete review of a project subject to the standards of this chapter.

   4. Technical Reports.  To the extent not provided in the wetlands report, technical reports and other studies and submittals shall be prepared as required by the director detailing on site soils, geology, hydrology, drainage, plant ecology and botany, and other pertinent site information.  The reports, studies and submittals shall be used to condition development to prevent potential harm and to protect the critical nature of the site, adjacent properties, and the drainage basin.

Date Passed: Monday, June 19, 2017

Effective Date: Sunday, July 30, 2017

ORD C35508 Section 7