A public open house on an update to the City’s current Critical Areas regulations will be held on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Interim Mountlake Terrace City Council Chambers located at 6100 219th Street SW, Suite 220. The open house will be followed by a Planning Commission public meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Critical areas include wetlands, streams, fish and wildlife habitat, frequently flooded areas, geologically hazardous areas, and critical aquifer recharge areas, and the associated buffer areas. The purpose of critical areas regulations is to preserve and protect the functions and values of these environmentally critical features for public benefit, public safety, and to provide reasonable use to property owners.
Cities and counties are required to update their critical areas regulations periodically to meet current state laws. The last significant update to the City’s Critical Areas regulations, Chapter 16.15 of the Municipal Code (MTMC), was in 2004. The proposed update is to comply with the Growth Management Act, meet ”best available science” requirements, and ensure consistency with changes in state law since 2004 and the City’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The update will include additions, alterations, and removals to the current regulations.
The open house on July 25 will provide information and seek public input on the draft update to the Critical Areas regulations. Display boards and maps will provide information on the proposed updates. City staff will be present to answer questions. A short presentation will be given at 7:00 p.m. at the beginning of the Planning Commission meeting.
Public hearings on the Critical Areas regulations update will be held later in August and September 2016.
More information on the Critical Areas update is available at www.cityofmlt.com.
Questions about the City’s Critical Areas update should be directed to Senior Planner Edith Duttlinger at (425) 744-6279.
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