20D.150.190 Protection of Resources Within Shoreline Jurisdiction.

20D.150.190-010 Shoreline Views.

(1) Identification of Citywide Shoreline Public Views. Consistent with RCDG 20D.42.50, Identification of Citywide Public View Corridors, the Public View Corridors map (RCDG 20D.42.40) identified significant shoreline views from public spaces. These views include the following:

(a) Territorial View of the Sammamish Valley Along NE 116th Street (RCDG 20D.42.50-020).

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. A territorial view of the Sammamish Valley and Mt. Rainier can be seen along NE 116th Street from Willows Road to the York Bridge.

(ii) Solid fencing, solid hedges or rows of trees will not be allowed south of NE 116th Street in the Urban Recreation zone if fencing or the height of the landscaping at mature growth would block views of the Sammamish Valley or of Mt. Rainier. The use of street trees or median dividers with hedges for roadway improvements shall not be allowed.

(b) Territorial View of the Sammamish Valley Along Willows Road (RCDG 20D.42.50-030).

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. A territorial view of the Sammamish Valley with distant ridgelines of Education Hill in the background, and a view of Mt. Rainier can be seen along Willows Road from just north of the Willows Run Golf Course complex to the City limit.

(ii) Solid fencing, solid hedges or rows of trees will not be allowed along the east edge of Willows Road or along property lines between the road and the Sammamish River. The use of street trees on the eastern edge or median dividers with hedges for roadway improvements shall not be allowed.

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. Views are of the Sammamish Valley and the west ridgeline above the Sammamish Valley, beginning as one descends the trail on the Puget Sound Energy right-of-way almost to Redmond-Woodinville Road.

(ii) Trail fencing in this public view corridor should be kept to a minimum, be built low when feasible, use natural or natural-looking materials and colors, and use fence types such as post and rail or split rail.

(d) Downtown and Sammamish Valley from 148th Avenue NE (RCDG 20D.42.50-060).

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. Beginning approximately 500 feet south of the Redmond Way intersection, views of the Sammamish Valley and distant mountains are evident. Near the intersection, the details of Downtown development patterns become apparent. From the point north of Redmond Way, views are to the north and northeast to about halfway to the bottom of the hill.

(ii) Solid fencing, solid hedges or rows of trees will not be allowed where they would obstruct views out to the Sammamish Valley or Downtown. Signage located in this public view corridor shall be designed to minimize view obstruction.

(e) Lake Sammamish Along Idylwood Park (RCDG 20D.42.50-110).

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. Views are of Lake Sammamish from West Lake Sammamish Parkway alongside Idylwood Park. Views are from the sidewalk, bike lanes, and roadway. Views are through existing vegetation and are more open on the northern half of the park.

(ii) Road projects along the eastern edge of West Lake Sammamish Parkway shall not include sight-obscuring objects such as fencing or hedge-like landscaping. This treatment should be avoided within the park as well, and any additional structures, signs, or landscaping within the park should be designed to protect views to the lake.

(f) Bear/Evans Creek Valley/Cascade Range from NE 80th Street and 172nd Avenue NE (RCDG 20D.42.50-120).

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. Where NE 80th Street curves north to turn into 172nd Avenue NE, a narrow public view corridor exists, following the existing electric lines, that overlooks the business park area; however the primary view is of the Bear/Evans Creek Valley and to distant mountain peaks. The corridor extends nearly to Avondale Way.

(ii) Maintain the right-of-way/utility corridor for potential pedestrian use. Trail enhancements could create additional accessibility for the public to this view corridor. Undergrounding of utility lines would also enhance this view.

(g) Bear/Evans Creek Valley (RCDG 20D.42.40.-130)

(i) Description of View to Be Protected. Pastoral views of the Bear/Evans Creek Valley towards the east of the Bear/Evans Creek Valley extend nearly a half-mile along a stretch of Avondale Road just below the entrance to the Ashford Park Condominiums to just short of the Bear Creek crossing. The view is currently almost unobstructed with only a handful of single-family structures in the northern stretch.

(ii) Sight-obscuring fencing will not be allowed along Avondale Road anywhere between the road and Bear/Evans Creek. Fences such as split rail would be allowed. New development shall avoid sight-obscuring, tall hedge-like landscaping.

(2) Design Standards for Public Shoreline. Consistent with Chapter 20D.40 RCDG, Design Standards, public shoreline views shall be subject to the following design standards:

(a) Site development should blend with natural landforms and be designed to maximize scenic views identified as public view corridors.

(b) Consider the impact of building mass, color, lighting, and design upon adjacent open spaces, continuity of identified public views corridors, public open spaces or parks, and recreational areas.

(c) Encourage enhancement of natural landscapes and preservation or enhancement of identified public view corridors to natural landforms or water bodies after initial clearing and development.

(d) Views through a development, where identified as public view corridors or shoreline views should be preserved, opened up or designed to become part of the surrounding open space focus. Designs that offer views or partial views into interior open spaces are encouraged.

(e) Orient buildings to retain and offer views to, from, and through the site where identified as public view corridors or shoreline views by taking advantage of topography, building location, and style.

(f) Placement of landscaping and eventual height of plantings should ensure that identified public view corridors are preserved.

(g) Provide space on site for active and/or passive recreational purposes. When located in an identified public view corridor, this open space may also provide views through a development to important features such as: Lake Sammamish; the Sammamish River Valley; Bear Creek; or panoramic mountain views.

(3) Additional Shoreline View Requirements.

(a) Public shoreline views along the Sammamish River corridor are provided by the Sammamish River Trail along the east side of the river and the informal trail along the west side of the river. Because of this public facility and the established Citywide shoreline public views identified in subsection (1) of this section, additional public shoreline view regulations and provisions within proposed developments for public views are not required along the Sammamish River.

(b) Public shoreline views along the Bear/Evans Creek Valley are protected to some degree by Citywide shoreline public views identified in subsection (1) of this section. Potential public physical access will eventually be provided by the Bear/Evans Creek Trail Greenway System, which in turn will provide public visual access.

(c) Public shoreline views along the north side of Bear Creek (between the Sammamish River and Union Hill Road) are provided by the Bear Creek Trail. Additional public shoreline view regulations are not required for this reach of Bear Creek.

(d) One public shoreline view of Lake Sammamish is identified in subsection (1) of this section via Idylwood Park. Public view corridor regulations of single-family homes along Lake Sammamish shall not be required. (Ord. 2486)

20D.150.190-020 Shoreline Cultural Access.

Reserved. (Ord. 2486)