Monroe planning staff updated the Planning Commission on July 28 about a required 10‑year periodic review of the city’s critical‑areas regulations and said new scientific guidance and state requirements are driving changes to how the city treats wetlands, streams and priority species habitat.

Katie, a planning staff member, told commissioners the city adopted its current critical‑areas code in 2019 and that the periodic review requires a gap analysis and alignment with best available science, including Department of Commerce guidance. She said the review will emphasize avoidance of impacts, protection of function and values for wetlands and streams, and priority species habitat. "One of the ones that is usually very controversial has not changed. And that is the wetland, size, categories, and buffers," Katie said, adding staff must now give more emphasis to best available science.

Katie explained that the Department of Fish and Wildlife has introduced alternative approaches for stream protection that account for tree‑height metrics rather than only fixed buffers; she said she will meet with Department of Fish and Wildlife in about two weeks to understand applicability to Monroe. Staff cited two local examples: the city of Sammamish (which retained its buffers) and the city of Stanwood (which adopted a tree‑height standard) as cases to study.

Commissioners asked about property‑rights implications and implementation tools. Commissioner Tony asked whether the code update would include mechanisms to offset lost buildable area on affected parcels; Katie replied the city already allows site‑specific transfer of development rights to a buildable portion of the same site and that density bonuses and translations to buildable area exist, but she expects some code modifications as part of the update.

Katie said she is preparing a packet of proposed amendments, definitions and sources for the commission’s Aug. 11 meeting and that staff will document the scientific sources and coordinate with state agencies before sending recommended changes to the state. She also said she is drafting a new section to address invasive species control on critical‑area tracts and noted tree removal rules and arborist findings will apply to hazardous trees and emergencies.

No formal actions were taken at the meeting; the item was an informational update and staff requested direction and feedback as it prepares a draft ordinance and supporting documents for later public hearings.