Chapter 17.65
CRITICAL AREAS AND FLOODPLAINS

Sections:

17.65.010  Adoption of the Forks urban growth area critical areas map.

17.65.020  Compliance with critical areas ordinance.

17.65.030  Shoreline management.

17.65.040  Adoption of the FIRM maps associated with the Forks urban growth area.

17.65.050  Regulations associated with property found to be within a 100-year floodplain.

17.65.010 Adoption of the Forks urban growth area critical areas map.

The Forks urban growth area critical area ordinance map, developed as part of the GMA comprehensive plan for the FUGA, is hereby adopted and incorporated as part of this title. Compliance with the critical areas ordinance, as well as state and federal law, must be a factor in granting any permits, variances, special and conditional uses in an area that is designated on the critical areas map. (Ord. 433 § 13.10a, 1997)

17.65.020 Compliance with critical areas ordinance.

(1) Any property that is located within or immediately adjacent to a critical area, as designated upon the critical areas map, shall be subject to the critical areas ordinance for the city of Forks. In addition, any such property subject to said ordinance shall have all uses treated as a special use, in which a special use permit shall be required. In addition, all uses shall require the completion of a State Environmental Policy Act checklist and determination regarding impacts by the city planning department. A special fee shall be established that combines these procedures in order to reduce costs to the affected property owners.

(2) Any owner with property located within a designated critical area may elect to proceed with the development of their property pursuant to the density transfer provisions found in Chapter 17.70 FMC. (Ord. 433 § 13.10b, 1997)

17.65.030 Shoreline management.

(1) Any permitting process associated with zoning and land use that is to occur within, adjacent to or that could have an impact directly upon the shoreline of any navigable river or stream shall comply with the Shoreline Management Act. Until the city of Forks has adopted a shoreline management policy, the city shall utilize the current Clallam County shoreline management plan’s procedures.

(2) In addition, any permitting process associated with zoning and land use that takes place within 200 feet from the high water mark of the Calawah and Bogachiel Rivers shall comply with the requirements of this section. (Ord. 433 § 13.20, 1997)

17.65.040 Adoption of the FIRM maps associated with the Forks urban growth area.

The flood insurance rate map for the city of Forks and for panel 585/725 for Clallam County are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into this zoning code. The information found therein may or may not be included upon the critical areas map described elsewhere within this chapter. (Ord. 433 § 13.30a, 1997)

17.65.050 Regulations associated with property found to be within a 100-year floodplain.

(1) Any property that is located in, partially covered by or immediately adjacent to the 100-year floodplain (designated as a "zone a*-" in the floodplain maps) shall have all uses treated as a special use, except for those uses associated with family dwellings not to include home enterprises, in which a special use permit shall be required. In addition, all uses shall require the completion of a State Environmental Policy Act checklist and determination regarding impacts by the city planing department. A special fee shall be established that combines these procedures in order to reduce costs to the affected property owners.

(2) No structure, fill, use or storage shall be permitted within the 100-year flood zone which because of its bulkiness, flimsiness, light weight, floating or potential hazardous conditions could be damaged or dislodged and carried onto other property, or obstruct the flow of water, or reduce the capacity of water storage areas during high water. Such conditions may be imposed that will reasonably eliminate the potential hazards.

(3) Where structures are permitted, special construction methods may be required by the city planning department and building inspector to protect any sewer, water, electrical, gas or other utility service connected to the structure. All such permitted special construction must comply with the appropriate building codes.

(4) Any structure, other than those exempt, may be permitted by the planning department without a special use permit, if the developer can provide a set of engineered certified plans and a bond showing said project has been engineered to withstand a 100-year flood without significant structural damage to the structure or property. (Ord. 433 § 13.30b, 1997)