Planning staff to bring critical areas ordinance updates to council to meet Growth Management Act deadlines

Planning staff presented a package of revisions to the city's Critical Areas Ordinance on Oct. 21, explaining the changes are necessary to align Port Orchard's code with the 2024 comprehensive plan update and with state requirements under the Growth Management Act. Jim (planning staff) said the update reorganizes the code for usability, creates a verification process to allow a critical‑areas review outside of a formal development application, and revises wetland buffer standards and riparian management zone (RMZ) minimums to meet or exceed Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance.

Key elements include consolidating some buffer scoring categories, clarifying that certain buffer widths follow state ecology guidance, and adding definitions and procedural updates. Staff issued a determination of nonsignificance under the State Environmental Policy Act and transmitted the draft to the Washington Department of Commerce for a 60‑day review; the commerce review period ends Nov. 11. The planning commission held a public hearing and forwarded a recommendation to council. Jim said staff tentatively aim for council action Nov. 18, pending Commerce review and any final edits.

Council members asked about specific buffer changes and where previously larger buffers had been adjusted; staff explained they followed the County and state guidance and that local modifications would require additional local science or evidence.