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Port Orchard planners review proposed Critical Areas Ordinance updates to align with state requirements
Summary
Planning staff and a consultant outlined proposed amendments to Port Orchard Municipal Code 20.162 (the Critical Areas Ordinance), including wetland buffer changes, a wetland mitigation hierarchy, new riparian management zone terminology and a schedule for further public comment and a March hearing.
Port Orchard planning staff on Jan. 13 presented proposed revisions to the citymunicipal code 20.162, known as the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), saying the amendments are intended to ensure compliance with the Growth Management Act and to integrate the stateDepartment of Fish and Wildlife and other best available science.
"As part of the 2024 comprehensive plan periodic update and the implementation, the city proposes amendments to Port Orchard municipal code 20.162, also known as our critical areas ordinance or CAO," said Jim Fisk, the city's principal planner.
The proposed package, staff said, includes a code reorganization, adjusted wetland buffers, a wetland mitigation hierarchy, replacement of "stream buffer" terminology with "riparian management zone," and standards aimed to satisfy Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance. Chad Wallen, the city's consultant from Grady Associates, described the update as a 10-year periodic alignment driven by state law…
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