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B. OBJECTIVES: <br /> 1. Require development to protect and preserve critical <br /> environmentally sensitive areas. <br /> 2 . Promote a land use pattern which will protect the value of <br /> environmentally sensitive areas, and prevent hazardous <br /> conditions. <br /> 3 . Provide innovative development design which assures protection of <br /> sensitive areas and which also allows for reasonable use and <br /> development of properties. <br /> 4 . Protect steep slope and unstable soils areas from the impacts of <br /> development, and protect development from the hazards posed by <br /> steep slopes and unstable soils. <br /> 5. Protect and improve surface and ground water quality. <br /> 6. Protect and enhance wildlife habitat areas. <br /> 7 . Inventory and designate the environmentally sensitive areas <br /> within the City and its designated urban growth areas. <br /> 8. Amend the zoning code and other development regulations to <br /> restrict or properly regulate development in environmentally <br /> sensitive areas, while still allowing reasonable use of <br /> properties. <br /> SECTION II Elements of the Environment. <br /> Earth Resources. <br /> A. Discussion. The natural topography of the City contributes to <br /> its overall aesthetic quality and desirability as a place to <br /> live, visit, conduct business, and play. Many of the remaining <br /> undeveloped areas of the City are located on hillsides or in <br /> ravines where steep slopes and unstable soils have discouraged <br /> development. Wooded steep slopes and ravines are distinctive <br /> natural features which provide open space and wildlife habitat in <br /> the urban setting. <br /> However, many of the landforms in Everett pose risks to public <br /> safety, life and property, if developed or allowed to be <br /> improperly developed. Hazards associated with development <br /> activities on slopes are a function of geological <br /> characteristics, degree of slope, and soils stability. The <br /> primary geological elements and hazards of concern in Everett are <br /> landslide hazards, seismic hazards, erosion hazards and <br /> groundwater aquifers. Each of these is discussed below. <br /> Landslide Hazards <br /> Landslide hazards exist in areas with certain "unstable" soils <br /> on slopes of 15% or greater, slopes greater than 40%, and in <br /> documented areas of previous landslide activity. Several factors <br /> are responsible for contributing to landslide hazard conditions. <br /> Gravity is the driving force behind landslides. Landslides in <br /> 2 <br />