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Planning commission outlines options to meet new state stream-buffer rules
Summary
The planning commission presented a draft recommendation to increase stream buffers to meet state guidance while preserving options for existing homeowners, including rebuild-in-place, upward expansion, and limited outward expansion into already disturbed areas; a public hearing is planned in late January and council consideration is expected in February.
The Newcastle Planning Commission outlined a draft recommendation on Tuesday to bring the city’s critical areas ordinance into compliance with new state requirements that expand stream buffers.
Planning Commission chair Charlie Gatsik told the council that state agencies now recommend wider buffers—up to 250 feet for fish-bearing streams and a minimum of 110 feet (including a 10-foot maintenance setback) for other streams—because urban impervious surfaces increase pollution risk. He said the city’s current buffers were…
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