Presentation: Critical Areas Ordinance Update - City Of Sammamish

City Council – July 27, 2010

Goals for Tonight
Staff update on timing and process
requirements under GMA
Staff response to Council questions or
public comment as needed
Council discussion on timing and scope
of CAO review

Timing issues
December 1, 2014 – Deadline to review
and update the CAO as needed
Subsequent updates every 7 years (by
December of 2021 and 2028)
If we complete the 2014 update prior to
2014, the next deadline is still 2021
City-created “CAO sunset” would take
effect on Jan 3, 2012

GMA process requirements
Under GMA, the City’s review and update
needs to examine each type of critical area
(e.g. critical aquifer recharge areas,
frequently flooded areas, geo-hazards, etc)
Review determines if the current
regulations are still consistent with Best
Available Science (BAS) and statute
Review also responds to local concerns
and experience

Best Available Science sources
Public process and knowledge
City’s sources and experience
• Critical areas maps
• Studies and documents (lake and basin studies, etc)
• Project experience and data
Local, state or federal agencies
• Syntheses of science
• WRIA recommendations
State agency review and comment

Best Available Science
BAS information should have the following
characteristics:
• Peer review by qualified scientific experts
• Methods/info is clearly stated and able to be replicated
• Conclusions are reasonable, supported by other studies
• Data analyzed using statistical or quantitative methods
• Assumptions, analytical techniques, data, and conclusions
reflect prevailing body of pertinent scientific knowledge
• Material is well referenced with citations to relevant,
credible literature and other pertinent existing information

Relationship to other work
SMP (which includes CAO for that
jurisdictional area) now under review by
Ecology – comments due shortly and
public hearing in early October
Surface Water Design Manual –
Planning Commission has started work,
likely will complete in October
Council processes for each will extend
into 1st Q of 2011

Staff recommendation
Do the CAO work once and ensure it
qualifies as our GMA-required review
(note this likely will mean additional consultant costs)
• Option 1: Retain 2012 sunset date
• Option 2: Shift sunset to Dec 1, 2014 to
match state deadline
Complete the work prior to 2014 to be
responsive to local concerns
• Start in 2010, continue work in 2011 / 2012
work program