Division 1. Preamble
Chapter 17.05
PREAMBLE
Sections:
17.05.070 Review of provisions.
17.05.010 Purpose.
The purposes of this title shall be to promote the public health, safety, general welfare and interest of the citizens of Coulee Dam, and to implement the town’s comprehensive plan by:
(1) Establishing and retaining a pattern of land use within the town reflective of the needs of the residents thereof and considering the existing land uses, structures, and their associated intensities in both residential and commercial areas;
(2) Recognizing that the location, river, views, and the associated environmental qualities are valuable assets to the town and its citizens;
(3) Achieving public and private land use decisions that are consistent with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plans of the town;
(4) Encouraging the location and use of structures and land for commerce, industry, residences and recreational opportunities where they are most compatible with existing land uses and identified environmental and aesthetic constraints;
(5) Providing flexible means to encourage innovative site design and land use patterns responsive to both human and natural environmental needs while maintaining sufficient control to assure compliance with the goals of this title and the comprehensive plans of the town;
(6) Protecting existing land uses and property values from undue adverse impacts of adjacent development;
(7) Providing for adequate light, views, open space, air, privacy and fire separation;
(8) Insuring efficient use of public investments in community facilities, roads, and improvements;
(9) Providing a set of land use regulations to protect the town and its citizens while allowing proper planned growth, giving careful consideration and deliberation in revising the town’s comprehensive land use plan and related comprehensive plans;
(10) Providing a clear, orderly, and efficient administrative system for review and approval of proposed projects and developments;
(11) Encouraging the development of recreational opportunities and support facilities such as trails, parks, and parking areas. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.01), 2000)
17.05.020 Short title.
This title shall be known and cited as the “Coulee Dam Unified Development Code,” hereinafter known as the UDC. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.02), 2000)
17.05.030 Authority.
This title is adopted pursuant to the authority of Chapters 35.63, 36.70A, 36.70B and 58.17 RCW and Chapter 197-11 WAC and the comprehensive plan of the town. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.03), 2000)
17.05.040 Scope.
This title shall apply to all public and private lands situated within the incorporated limits of the town, and over which the town has jurisdiction under the constitutions and laws of the state of Washington and the United States, and shall set forth minimum standards which are supplemental to the rules and regulations of the Growth Management Act and State Environmental Policy Act and the town ordinances implementing the same; town, county, tribal and state health regulations; building, plumbing, electrical and other codes and regulations; and subdivision and short subdivision regulations of the town. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.04), 2000)
17.05.050 Interpretation.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, the provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the town and the citizens thereof.
(1) The provisions of this title shall be liberally construed to further its purposes and in the event controversy as to the meaning of a particular provision of this title shall arise, such provision shall be construed liberally in favor of the general public interest and the stated purposes of the title.
(2) If the conditions imposed by a provision of this title are less or more restrictive than, or conflict with, the conditions of any other provision of this title, or any other law, rule, contract, resolution, or regulation of the state, tribes or federal government or the counties of Douglas, Grant or Okanogan or the town of Coulee Dam, then the more restrictive requirement or the higher standard shall govern.
(3) Reference in this title to any existing provisions of law, including town ordinances or regulations or state, tribal or federal laws, rules or regulations shall include reference to any amendments to such provisions that may occur subsequent to adoption of this title. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.05), 2000)
17.05.060 Scope of terms.
The word “may” as used herein is permissive as indicating a use of discretion in making a decision; the word “shall” as used herein is mandatory. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.06), 2000)
17.05.070 Review of provisions.
It shall be the responsibility of the planning commission to review and update this unified development code every two years. Furthermore, changes and/or additions shall be made whenever it is deemed necessary. Recommendations for changes/additions shall be made by the planning commission to the town council, which shall hold a public hearing, and shall approve, disapprove or modify the recommendations of the planning commission. At their discretion, the town council may also remand an issue back to the planning commission with specific issues to be reviewed. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.07), 2000)
17.05.080 Compliance.
A lot may be used and a structure or part of a structure constructed, reconstructed, altered, occupied, or used only as this title permits. No lot, area, yard, or off-street parking area existing on or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall be reduced below the minimum requirements of this title. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 1.08), 2000)
17.04.090 Annexations.
Any lands annexed to the corporate boundaries of the town of Coulee Dam shall be reviewed by the planning commission for appropriate zoning in conjunction with the Coulee Dam comprehensive plan, unless the property owner(s) request an amendment to the ordinance or zoning map at the time of annexation. Any uses contained within the boundaries of an annexation shall comply with the provisions of this title. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 51), 2000)
17.05.100 Severability.
If any division, chapter, section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this title is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this title. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 52), 2000)
17.05.110 Administration.
The mayor of Coulee Dam is hereby directed to administer the provisions of this title and may appoint other employees as may be necessary to assist in its administration. The mayor shall adopt and revise, as required, such forms and instructions as are necessary or appropriate to serve the public and to carry out the provisions of this title. (Ord. 536 § 1 (§ 53), 2000)