CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Master Program
3.2.1 Shoreline Use Element
Purpose and Intent: This element deals with the distribution, location and extent of: (1) the use
of shorelines and adjacent areas for housing, commerce, transportation, public buildings, utilities,
education and natural resources; (2) the use of the water for recreation and transportation; and (3)
the use of the water, shoreline and uplands for other categories of land and water uses and
activities not specified in this SMP.
GOAL
A. Preserve or develop shorelines in a manner that assures a balance of shoreline uses with
minimal adverse effect on the quality of life, water and the environment. Recognize that
land use and water management activities on adjacent uplands affect the quality of the City’s
shorelines.
POLICIES
1. Encourage intensive uses that are unique to or dependent upon a shoreline location to locate
in developments in or adjacent to the Marina.
2. Protect the natural topography of undeveloped portions of the shoreline to prevent damage to
the natural environment and public health.
3. Encourage nonresidential uses or activities that are not water-oriented uses to locate or
relocate away from the shoreline.
4. Minimize sprawl and inefficient use of shoreline areas by locating new commercial
development where other commercial development already exists, limiting non-wateroriented
uses to locations away from the shoreline.
5. Design shoreline structures to be visually compatible with the shoreline character.
6. Locate shoreline structures to minimize view obstruction.
7. Consider the goals, objectives and policies in this SMP in land use and water management
actions on adjacent uplands and associated wetlands or streams where such use or
development may have an adverse effect on designated shorelines.
GOAL
B. Ensure that land uses within the shoreline will be compatible with adjacent land use and
protect existing shoreline habitats and ecological systems.
POLICIES
1. Protect unique and fragile areas of the shoreline from upland or adjacent uses or activities
that may have an adverse effect on the shoreline environment.
2. Prohibit any proposed shoreline or adjacent land use development that would have a
significant adverse impact on the water quality of Des Moines, Massey, McSorley,
Woodmont, Redondo, or Cold Creeks.
3. Formal plats and short subdivisions located in or adjacent to the shoreline shall comply with
Department of Ecology approval effective November 1, 2010
18 Adopted by City of Des Moines Ordinance No. 1502