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Bothell council adopts updated critical areas ordinance after debate; attempt to delay effective date fails
Summary
After public testimony and extensive council questions, Bothell adopted a revised Critical Areas Ordinance and SEPA threshold updates required under the Growth Management Act; an amendment to delay the CAO's effective date failed before the ordinance passed 5-0.
The Bothell City Council on Dec. 2 adopted updates to the city's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and related State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) thresholds following staff presentations, public testimony and council questions about buffers and development flexibility.
Community development staff told the council the updates respond to Growth Management Act timing and incorporate technical feedback from state agencies. Community development planner Jacqueline Sampson clarified a numbering error in the packet and stated the standard riparian management zone width for Type F (fish-bearing) streams is 175 feet with an option to reduce to 150 feet if vegetative buffer standards are met; Type N streams have a standard 115-foot width with a potential reduction to 100 feet if vegetation standards are satisfied.…
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