Ordinance No._____- 2012 AN ORDINANCE ... - San Juan County

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Ord. ____-2012
H. These amendments incorporate decisions that have been made on other sections of the critical area
regulations, and that will be adopted concurrently with this ordinance.
I. The County now desires to complete the review and update of its development regulations regarding
FWHCAs previously due in 2006, as required by RCW 36.70A.130.
J.I. The 60-day notice on the proposed amendments to the protection regulations for FWHCAs, as required
by RCW 36.70A.106, was received by the Washington State Department of Commerce on May 8, 2012,
and was assigned Material ID No. 18073.
K.J. An environmental checklist was prepared evaluating potential effects of the proposed FWHCA
protection amendments and a notice of Determination of Non-significance was issued on May 1,
2012_and published on May 2, 2012. The notice was provided to federal, state and local agencies in
accordance with San Juan County Code 18.80.050 and WAC 197-11-340.
L.K. Efforts to involve and inform the public included:
I. A public workshop held in March of 2006.
II. County Council appointment of a citizens committee in 2007, which reviewed the GMA
requirements, the applicable science and the existing regulations, and developed a draft set of
amendments.
III. Public meetings held in June of 2009.
IV. A public workshop held in August 2009.
V. Request for Best Available Science (BAS) submittals from the public in June-July 2010.
VI. Public workshops on San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island in September 2010, to
address “hot button” issues.
VII. Joint Planning Commission/County Council public workshops in February 2011, to review and
discuss the first draft Best Available Science Synthesis, and County Council workshops in May 2011
to discuss the second draft. Public comment was accepted at all meetings.
VIII. Public workshops in June, August and SeptemberJune 2011 to discuss the review of existing
regulations and determine policy direction for the revision of regulations.
VIII.IX. Field trips on San Juan Island in July 2012.
IX.X. Advertisements of Planning Commission and County Council meetings in local papers,
including online media.
X.XI. Notice of the availability of the proposed ordinance and staff report was e-mailed to residents,
property owners, and interested parties who requested to be kept informed prior to the Planning
Commission and County Council hearings.
M.L. The Planning Commission and County Council conducted a duly advertised joint public hearing
on May 18, 2012.
M. The County Council makes the following findings:
N.
I. The Best Available Science was included in developing the proposed amendments, which will protect
FWHCAs in conformance with the requirements of the Growth Management Act.
II. Implementing a site-specific approach to sizing buffers and tree protection zoneTree Protection Zones
for aquatic (those containing water) FWHCAs will effectively protect them, while minimizing costs
and maximizing the allowable use of property.
III. Agriculture in San Juan County is a vital part of our heritage and an integral part of the county’s
landscape, culture and economy. Our quality of life depends on the successful integration of
sustainable agriculture and ecological health.
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