Ordinance 2705-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

1 The proposed changes are consistent with other existing policies, except that an existing policy would be amended to provide for designating publicly owned environmentally sensitive properties as Open Space on the Land Use Map. Existing Comprehensive Plan policies that support the changes include: Land Use Element. • Environmentally Sensitive Areas Policy 1.15.13 Amend the zoning code and other development regulations as needed to properly regulate development in ESA's while still allowing reasonable use of properties. • ESA Policy 1.15.13 Public Facilities. Because it is not always possible to avoid water resources with certain vital public service facilities, encroachment into water resource areas for public facilities such as public streets, utilities, and public safety services should be avoided except when no feasible alternative exists, and such encroachment should be accomplished in a manner which assures the maximum possible protection of the natural system, and assures the safety of persons and properties. Economic Development Element. • Policy 5.1.9 Invest in infrastructure improvements that provide sufficient utility capacity, transportation facilities, and public services necessary to support economic development and job growth and development of an adequate supply of affordable housing. • Policy 5.5.2 Protect the valuable natural functions and aesthetic benefits provided by environmentally sensitive areas and open space lands. The revisions are also consistent with the policies in the SMP that were adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan map designations, including the Aquatic, Parks/Public Open Space are consistent with the criteria for amendments to the Land Use map, as follows: 1. The assumptions upon which the existing land use designation of the Mukilteo tank farm property is based are erroneous. In addition, new information is available which was not considered at the time the Land Use Element was adopted, that justifies a change to the land use designations for the other properties. The Mukilteo tank farm area is currently designated Single Family Detached at 3-5 dwellings per gross acre. However, the property is a federal facility that has been used for industrial bulk fuel storage, rather than residential use. All of the other single family properties in the area include land on both sides of the railroad tracks, with the residential development occurring landward of the railroad tracks. The Comprehensive Plan Locational Criteria for Single Family Detached Residential states, "This designation is applied to areas presently developed with predominantly single family detached dwelling." The Waterfront Commercial designation would only apply to the industrial property waterward of the railroad tracks that never met the criteria for residential designation.