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19.37.250 210 Previously altered critical areas.
<br /> 19.37.260--220 Enforcement—Violation—Penalties.
<br /> 19.37.010 User guide.
<br /> Many areas of Everett have been or may become designated, identified, inventoried, classified or rated
<br /> as critical areas by the city or other public agencies.This chapter establishes regulations for
<br /> development within or near all critical areas. If you are interested in developing property identified as
<br /> containing or adjacent to steep slopes, lakes,streams,marine waters,wetlands, springs, erosion hazard
<br /> areas, landslide hazard areas, seismic hazard areas,or other unstable soil conditions,you should read
<br /> this chapter.This chapter contains more stringent requirements than other provisions within this title
<br /> for affected properties.These regulations supersede any less restrictive requirements contained
<br /> elsewhere in this title. No action may be undertaken by any person which results in any alteration of a
<br /> critical area or its buffer unless such alteration is in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
<br /> Alteration includes the terms"use" and "development" as defined in this title, and includes any
<br /> modification of the natural environment of critical areas or their buffer including any clearing,grading,
<br /> filling and/or excavation. Certain exceptions to the requirements of this chapter are listed in Section
<br /> 19.37.050.
<br /> 19.37.020 Purpose.
<br /> Erosion,flood, landslide, and seismic hazard areas, streams,wetlands, protective buffers, and wildlife
<br /> habitat areas constitute critical areas that are of special concern to the city.The purpose of this chapter
<br /> is to designate,classify and protect the critical areas of the Everett community by establishing standards
<br /> for development and use of properties which contain or adjoin critical areas and thus protect the public
<br /> health, safety,and welfare by:
<br /> A. Preserving, protecting,and restoring critical areas by regulating development within such areas and
<br /> their buffers;
<br /> B. Mitigating unavoidable adverse impacts by regulating alterations when protection cannot be
<br /> required;
<br /> C. Protecting the public from personal injury, loss of life or property damage due to flooding,erosion,
<br /> landslides, seismic events, or soil subsidence;
<br /> D. Avoiding publicly financed expenditures to correct misuses of critical areas,which may cause:
<br /> 1. Unnecessary maintenance and replacement of public facilities,
<br /> 2. Publicly funded mitigation of avoidable impacts,
<br /> 3. Public costs for emergency rescue and relief operations where the causes are avoidable, or
<br /> 4. Degradation of the natural environment;
<br /> E. Protecting and enhancing unique, sensitive, and valuable elements of the environment, including
<br /> fish and wildlife habitat;
<br /> F. Alerting appraisers, assessors,owners, potential buyers or lessees to the presence of critical areas
<br /> and the respective development limitations of such areas;
<br /> G. Providing city officials with sufficient information,direction and authority to protect critical areas
<br /> when evaluating public or private development proposals;
<br /> H. Implementing the policies of the Growth Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter
<br /> 43.21C RCW, Chapter 20.04,the city's comprehensive plan, and all updates and amendments,functional
<br /> plans and other land use policies formally adopted or accepted by the city; and
<br /> Planning Commission Resolution 19-04 Page 5
<br /> Critical Areas March 19, 2019
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