Snohomish County Council adopts updated critical-area rules after hours of public testimony

The Snohomish County Council voted 3-2 on May 14 to adopt Ordinance 24-097, an update to the county—s critical-area regulations under the Growth Management Act that changes rules for wetlands, streams, geologically hazardous areas, critical aquifer recharge areas and related definitions and fees.

The adopted package included Amendment 2A, a Planning and Development Services (PDS) housekeeping package that passed unanimously 5-0, and Amendment 3, a sponsor—s compromise that passed 3-2. The hearing and vote followed hours of public testimony from residents, tribes, state agencies, conservation groups and builders.

The ordinance revises several Snohomish County Code chapters (including chapters 30.62A, 30.62B, 30.62C, 30.43C, 30.86 and 30.91) to increase protections for critical areas overall compared with existing county code, according to Planning and Development Services staff. The changes tighten standards for buffers and the circumstances in which developers may reduce or average buffer widths, while also clarifying exemptions and mitigation processes.

Ryan (Planning and Development Services staff) summarized differences between current code, the Executive—s proposed ordinance and Amendment 3. He said the package before the council would strengthen protections "in every category that's listed there," and described Amendment 2A as non-substantive housekeeping corrections.

State…