Table of Contents

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

The city’s zoning code enforces regulation on ecologically sensitive and hazard areas through critical areas overlay district. It discusses the identification of a critical area, buffer and setback requirements, and performance standards (§20.25.005 et seq.). Environmentally sensitive features discussed in this ordinance include streams, wetlands, shorelines, geologic hazard area, habitats, and flood areas.

Small Wireless Facilities and Wireless Facilities in the ROW

The city's land use code permits outright without land use approval wireless communications facilities installed on existing utility support structures within the public right-of-way that meet listed criteria (§20.20.195). A right-of-way use or building permit may be required. The code provides additional design and location criteria for PROW installations in nonresidential and residential districts, including a 520-foot separation requirement for residential district installations.  Wireless facilities that do not meet these criteria require conditional use permit approval and must meet height, design, dispersal, and development standards.

Transit Oriented Development

The cities land use code creates two distinct districts that promote Transit Oriented Development within the city. The first land use district is the East Gate Transit Oriented Development Land Use (§20.25P) which creates an area of mix of housing, retail, office, and service uses, with and emphasis on housing. The second is the East Main Transit Oriented Development Land Use District (§20.25Q), which is aimed at creating transit oriented development one-half mile from the East Main Light Rail station.