NOH: ORD 1284, to amend the Lewis County Standards for Critical Areas BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ORDINANCE ) RESOLUTION NO. 18- (Gal
1284,AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LEWIS COUNTY
STANDARDS FOR CRITICAL AREAS
WHEREAS, Lewis County currently contains two separate Critical Areas Ordinances: LCC 17.35, related to
agriculture, and LCC 17.35A, for all other development and these ordinances were last amended in 2000 and
2008 respectively; and
WHEREAS, under the Growth Management Act, "Each county and city shall adopt development regulations
that protect critical areas..." (RCW 36.70A.060(2)); and
WHEREAS,these regulations are required to reviewed periodically (typically over a period from 8 to 10 years)
to ensure continued consistency with the Act (RCW 36.70A.130); and
WHEREAS,the Lewis County Planning Commission began their review in February 2017, and continued their
review over throughout the remainder of 2017, and the start of 2018; and
WHEREAS,the Lewis County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed Critical Areas
Ordinance on March 27, 2018; and
WHEREAS,following the public hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to transmit the changes
to the Lewis County Board of County of Commissioners (BOCC);
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a Board of County Commissioners hearing is hereby scheduled for June
11, 2018 to take public testimony or written comment on the adoption of Ordinance 1284, amending the Lewis
County standards related to critical areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the BOCC is hereby instructed to proceed with all appropriate and
necessary notifications, posting and publication for the code change as required by law.
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PASSED IN REGULAR SESSION THIS � 14.\- DAY OF MAY, 2018.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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ATTEST: ®0®0®® Robert .Jackson, Chair
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Rieva Lester,Clerk of the Board ®�� r
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE
LEWIS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
And INTENT TO ADOPT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON, BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS will hold a public hearing on June 11, 2018, starting at or after 10:00 AM.
The public hearing will consider changes to the Lewis County Critical Areas Ordinance, Ordinance
1284.These changes would simplify and consolidate the review process for critical areas; make minor
changes to stream, wetland and geologically hazardous buffers;change the area regulated for certain
sensitive areas; remove specific critical area standards for many land use activities; allow additional
buffer reduction options for wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat areas; and improve the mapping of
the areas.
The public hearing will be at the Lewis County Courthouse, Commissioners' Hearing Room, 351 NW
North Street, Chehalis, WA. At the hearings, individuals will be invited to speak and/or provide
written statements regarding the proposed changes. All individuals wishing to speak on the issues
are encouraged to attend. Written comments may be submitted in advance of the hearings to the
contact below.
Fred Evander at 360.740.1389 or fred.evander @lewiscoutywa.gov.
Details about the proposals are available online at http://lewiscountywa.gov/community-
development. Hard copies are available at the Lewis County Community Development Department at
2025 NE Kresky Ave., Chehalis WA; at the Timberland Regional libraries located in Chehalis, Centralia,
Salkum, Randle, Packwood, and Winlock; and at the Lewis County Senior Centers in Morton,
Packwood,Toledo,Twin Cities (Chehalis), and Winlock.
The meeting site is barrier free. People needing special assistance or accommodations should contact
the Community Development Department 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Rieva Lester/Publish in the Chronicle on May 22, 2018
LEWIS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Robert Whannell, Chair
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
To: Lewis County Board of County Commissioners
From: Lewis County Planning Commission
Date: March 27, 2018
Subject: Transmittal to the BOCC: Findings and Conclusions regarding Revisions to the Lewis County
Critical Areas Ordinance
Dear Commissioners:
The purpose of this report is to transmit draft Lewis County Code revisions to the Critical Areas
Ordinance.
General findings of fact:
1. Lewis County currently contains two separate Critical Areas
related to agriculture, and LCC 17.35A,for all other develops 0A17-4"1-1
were last amended in 2000 and 2008 respectively.
2. Under the Growth Management Act, "Each county and city sh
regulations that protect critical areas..." (RCW 36.70A.060(2)).
required to reviewed periodically (typically over a period from lu years) to ensure
continued consistency with the Act (RCW 36.70A.130). Lewis County's periodic review of
the ordinances was due on June 30, 2017.
3. When considering the requirements for critical areas, "counties and cities shall include
the best available science in developing policies and development regulations to protect
the functions and values of critical areas. In addition, counties and cities shall give
special consideration to conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or
enhance anadromous fisheries." (RCW 36.70A.172)
4. On February 28, 2017, the Lewis County Planning Commission commenced their review
of the Critical Areas Ordinance. The Commission continued their review of the
document throughout the remainder of 2017 and the beginning of 2018.
5. Over the course of the Planning Commission review, the Lewis County Planning Staff
consulted with agencies such as the Washington Department of Natural Resources,
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and
March 27, 2018 Page 1 of 2
LEWIS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Letter of Transmittal-Revisions to the Lewis County Critical Areas Ordinance
Washington Department of Health to ensure that Best Available Science was effectively
considered in the development of the standards.
6. When the draft standards were substantially complete, the Lewis County Community
Development Department sent a notice of the changes to the Washington State
Department of Commerce for their 60-day review. One comment, from Zachary Meyer
at the Washington State Department of Ecology was received as a result of the review.
7. On March 6, 2018, staff provided notice about a Public Hearing on the proposed code
changes in the manner prescribed in LCC 17.12.050.
8. The Lewis County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed Critical
Areas Ordinance on March 27, 2017.
9. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission deliberated the measures and
determined that the proposed amendments to the Lewis County Code reflected the
needs of area residents, met the intent and requirements of the Growth Management
Act, and were in accordance with the public interest.
Conclusions
Based on the above findings and conclusions, the Lewis County Planning Commission
recommends that the Board of County Commissioners pass an ordinance that adopts the
proposed changes to the Lewis County Critical Areas Ordinance.
Being duly authorized to transmit the recommendations on behalf of the Lewis County Planning
Commission, I hereby respectfully submit the document to the Lewis County Board of County
Commissioners.
Submitted by - Date
Robert Whannell, Chair
Lewis County Planning Commission
March 27, 2018 Page 2 of 2
BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: BOCC Meeting Date: May 14, 2018
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Notice
Set a hearing to approve draft Critical Areas Ordinance.
. LCE 'C41
Contact Pat Anderson Phone: 3607402677
MAY !y 4 't(11
Department: Community Development ;XUTJ GUUN(ti
P ROSit OUTING ATTORN
Action Needed: Approve Resolution
Description
Under the Growth Management Act, Lewis County is required to reevaluate its critical areas standards every
eight years to ensure that the requirements meet the most recent best available science.
The changes would simplify and consolidate the review process for critical areas; make minor changes to
stream,wetland and geologically hazardous buffers; change the area regulated for certain sensitive areas;
remove specific critical area standards for many land use activities; allow additional buffer reduction options for
wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat areas; and improve the mapping of the areas.
Approvals:
User j Group Status
Eisenberg, Eric Pending ,,,w
1
Napier, Lee Pending
Lester, Rieva Pending
Evander, Fred ; Pending
Additional Copies
Fred Evander, Lee Napier, Pat Anderson, Eric Eisenberg