Community input in protecting our shorelines
At this afternoon’s Community Development Committee meeting I’ve got two bills related to shoreline issues on the peninsulas. I’m told that both will be opposed by the Executive and planning staff so it would be helpful to have you write in support or testify if possible.
The first bill is Proposal №2018–95, Administrative Shoreline Review Land Use Advisory Commissions. Historically, Shoreline Substantial Development Permits and Shoreline Conditional Use Permits, went to the Hearing Examiner providing the opportunity for LUACs to review and provide recommendations prior to permit approval. The new rules will make them administrative approval meaning that they will be decided by planning staff.
This bill would create a similar review and recommendation process for the LUACs in that process. To be clear, if the bill does not pass LUACs will no longer have a role in approving shoreline permits.
I think this not only provides more public oversight, but it will help add local knowledge to decisions that planners may not possess.
The Executive’s staff is opposing because they would like to save time/money associated with the LUAC hearings.
The second bill is Proposal №2018–96, Development Moratoria Piers and Docks Gig Harbor Peninsula. While this only relates to the GH community plan area, I think it’s of interest to everyone because of what happened. For many years the Gig Harbor Community Plan said that docks and piers should generally be prohibited in the shoreline adjacent to Conservancy Shoreline Environment Designations (SED). After initial passage of the SMP update, we had our 10 year update of the Comp Plan. While changes were being made to the community plans, staff promised that there was none of them were substantive. Unfortunately this rule was removed. The logic being that it was inconsistent with the SMP. I was not thrilled when I found out but was again told that there would be an opportunity to make the change in the SMP when it came back from Ecology for final approval. Unfortunately with the comment period closed, Ecology would not agree with that approach. They did, however, agree to look at it with us in an amendment next year.
This bill would establish a moratorium on docks and piers in these areas, returning to status quo ante while we do the analysis of restoring a prohibition or some other restrictions.
I am unclear why the Executive’s staff plan to oppose this one, but given the way this has all occurred, I don’t really care. If there’s a case to be made against the restriction, then let it be made. Communities shouldn’t lose policies that people worked hard to write and enforce for many years without a lot of thought and input. That standard wasn’t met here and deserves correction.
You can comment directly on the legislation by clicking the links above. Or, should you prefer, you can email the Council here. If you’re available to testify, the committee hearing is 1:30pm in Council Chambers.
