Chapter 17.20E
MASTER PLANNED RESORTS
Sections:
17.20E.020 Designation criteria for master planned resorts.
17.20E.050 Master plan approval.
17.20E.060 Approved master planned resort.
17.20E.010 Purpose.
Master planned resorts in Lewis County are intended to enhance and diversify the recreational and economic opportunities that complement the natural and cultural attractiveness of the area without having significant adverse impacts on environmental and natural features, cultural or historic resources and their settings, or existing development. This chapter provides for the development of planned resorts with well-designed visitor-oriented accommodations, including residential, recreational, and commercial uses consistent with the comprehensive plan. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010]
17.20E.020 Designation criteria for master planned resorts.
Master planned resorts may be developed as a Type III binding site plan application when:
(1) The comprehensive plan specifically identifies policies to guide the development of master planned resorts;
(2) The comprehensive plan and development regulations include restrictions that preclude new urban or suburban land uses in the vicinity of the master planned resort, except in areas otherwise designated for urban growth under RCW 36.70A.110;
(3) The county includes a finding as a part of the approval process that the land is better suited, and has more long-term importance, for the master planned resort than for the commercial harvesting of timber or agricultural production, if located on land that otherwise would be designated as forest land or agricultural land under RCW 36.70A.170;
(4) The county ensures that the resort plan is consistent with the development regulations established for critical areas; and
(5) On-site and off-site infrastructure and service impacts have been fully considered and appropriate mitigation measures have been established. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010]
17.20E.030 Permitted uses.
The following uses are permitted provided the uses are part of an approved master planned resort pursuant to this chapter:
(1) Visitor-oriented accommodations such as lodges, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast facilities, rental homes and cabins, rental condominiums, rental townhouses, time-share units, similar transient lodging facilities, convention and conference facilities, and appropriate support facilities.
(2) Residential dwellings such as single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, condominiums, townhouses, time-share units, and other residential dwellings compatible with the purposes of this section.
(3) Developed recreational facilities such as golf courses, clubhouses, pro shops, and sports and spa facilities, and undeveloped recreational areas.
(4) Boat docks and marinas compatible with the purposes of this section and the Lewis County shoreline master program.
(5) Commercial facilities and services such as restaurants, barber shops, beauty salons, specialty shops, real estate and other professional offices, grocery stores, pet boarding and care facilities, and other such services which provide for the needs of the community’s residents and visitors and which are compatible with the purposes of this section.
(6) Open space areas such as lakes, wetlands, golf courses, greenbelts, buffers, and wildlife preserves.
(7) Facilities necessary for public safety such as fire and security stations, waste disposal, and utilities within the master planned resort or the county, notwithstanding any limiting provision of this chapter to the contrary.
(8) Transportation related facilities, emergency medical facilities, and storage structures and areas, provided these uses are ancillary to the master planned resort.
(9) Cultural community and entertainment facilities such as theaters, amphitheaters, galleries, arts and craft centers, and interpretive centers which are compatible with the purposes of this section. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010]
17.20E.040 Minimum standards.
The following minimum standards apply to all master planned resorts:
(1) A master planned resort, when approved in accordance with this chapter, is established as an overlay zone and, as such, does not alter the existing, underlying zoning designation. Development standards of this chapter shall, as applied to an approved master planned resort, supersede those of the underlying zone.
(2) Master planned resorts are urban-scale developments located in the rural area.
(3) The resort, including buffers and open space under the control of the development, is sited on a parcel or parcels of land no less than 40 contiguous acres.
(4) Existing state or county roads are adequate, or need minimal improvements, to serve the development.
(5) Capital facilities, utilities, and services, including those related to sewer, water, stormwater, security, fire suppression, and emergency medical, provided on site shall be limited to meeting the needs of the master planned resort. Such facilities, utilities, and services may be provided to a master planned resort by outside service providers, including municipalities and special purpose districts; provided, that all costs associated with service extensions and capacity increases directly attributable to the master planned resort are fully borne by the resort. A master planned resort and service providers may enter into agreements for shared capital facilities and utilities; provided, that such facilities and utilities serve only the master planned resort or urban growth areas.
(6) At least 40 percent of the total of the site area, shall be dedicated to a mixture of permanent open space, natural areas, and/or active recreational areas, excluding streets and parking areas.
(7) Active recreational uses such as golf courses, pools, tennis courts and playing fields shall be provided to adequately meet the needs of the residents and guests of the master planned resort.
(8) The maximum density for residential dwellings including hotel and motel units shall not exceed two units per gross acre of the overall master planned resort. Residential dwellings for long-term occupancy shall be limited to no more than 10 percent of the total number of residential units.
(9) Parking shall be provided for in accordance with a transportation management plan as submitted with the application and approved for the project.
(10) The minimum lot area, width, frontage and yard requirements, setback standards, street standards, and building heights otherwise applying to development in the underlying zone(s) may be modified consistent with the master planned resort, as approved in conformance with this chapter.
(11) The tract or tracts of land included in a proposed master planned resort must be in one ownership or control or the subject of a joint application by the owners of all the property included.
(12) All uses within the master planned resort shall be harmonious with each other through the use of special design, placement, or screening.
(13) Unless otherwise approved in accordance with applicable sign regulations, on-premises signs and off-premises signs shall be designed and erected in conformance with design guidelines, as submitted and approved with the project and off-premises signs shall be limited to those necessary for directional purposes.
(14) Commercial services provided as part of the master planned resort shall be contained within the development and shall be oriented to serve the master planned resort. The protection of public views shall be considered in orienting such commercial services. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010]
17.20E.050 Master plan approval.
(1) Phasing of development, expansion, and future use of land shall be addressed as follows:
(a) The county recognizes that economic and other considerations may necessitate the phasing of a master planned resort. Project phasing may occur in accordance with the standards for land divisions in LCC 17.05.140.
(b) Expansion or amendment of the approved master planned resort:
(i) Beyond the boundaries of the original site plan, shall require a new master plan application and hearing as required in this chapter.
(ii) Within the boundaries of the original site plan, shall require a master plan amendment by the hearing examiner.
(c) Use of the subject property will be bound by the approved application and/or development agreement. No other use is allowed without the receipt of necessary approvals.
(d) The owners of land approved and used for a master planned resort development shall be responsible for appropriate and suitable environmental remediation and/or restoration of the site in the case of abandonment of the project. The responsible party shall be identified in the development agreement and/or master plan approval. The responsibility for appropriate and suitable environmental remediation and/or restoration will be determined through environmental review of the application and commensurate with the impacts of the specific use permitted. An environmental remediation and/or restoration plan shall be established in the development agreement and master plan approval.
(2) Proximity to a master planned resort designation, development or an associated extension of infrastructure shall not provide a basis for a comprehensive plan amendment to change the land use designation for property adjacent to the resort to a land use district with greater development density or more intensive uses. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010. Formerly 17.20E.060]
17.20E.060 Approved master planned resort.
The approved master planned resort binds the project proponents and their successors to the proposed project as approved, applicable development standards of this chapter, and conditions of approval, if any. Approval of the master planned resort confirms that the proposal is consistent with the purpose of and provisions for master planned resorts and the comprehensive plan and provides the basis upon which subsequent permits, including building permits, may be reviewed and issued. [Ord. 1269 §13, 2016; Ord. 1219 §1 (Exh. A), 2010. Formerly 17.20E.070]