Tenino planning commission reviews two riparian-buffer approaches in critical areas update

Tenino planning staff outlined proposed changes to the city's critical areas ordinance at the planning commission meeting Dec. 10, presenting two alternatives for riparian buffers that will affect future development near Scatter Creek and other mapped waterways.

Melissa, a city planning staff member, told the commission the city must update the ordinance to comply with the Growth Management Act and other rules and said the Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends using a site-potential tree-height tool that measures tree height around riparian areas to determine buffer widths. "The site standard or site-specific tree height ... essentially a tool that the Department of Fish and Wildlife has put out that measures the height of trees around the riparian areas," Melissa said. She described the other option as a uniform 150-foot buffer across all riparian areas.

Why it matters: buffer choice affects how much land adjacent to streams is…