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Mountlake Terrace staff propose tighter critical-area protections, revised tree-replacement ratios and floodplain rules ahead of public hearings
Summary
Staff presented a draft critical areas ordinance and floodplain-management amendments that would expand wetland and stream buffers, require hearing‑examiner review for wetland/stream alterations, raise tree-replacement standards, and adopt model floodplain provisions including a one-foot elevation requirement for new residential lowest floors.
City planning staff presented a detailed draft update to Mountlake Terrace’s critical‑areas ordinance and a companion floodplain‑management update at the council’s Dec. 11 meeting, saying both are intended to align local code with state guidance and the Growth Management Act timing requirements.
Senior Planner Sarah Pitzel said the draft increases applicability around water bodies, adds critical aquifer recharge areas to the applicability section, establishes a nonconformance pathway for repairs after damage, and raises enforcement measures for unlawful tree removal in critical areas. On tree replacement, staff proposed lowering the currently discussed 10:1 ratio to align more closely with Department of Ecology and neighboring jurisdictions — recommending approximately 2:1 for smaller trees…
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