In 2003, the state legislature established funding, timelines, and guidelines requiring all cities and counties to update their local Shoreline Master Programs (SMP) prepared under Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA). The new shoreline guidelines passed in 2003 set a higher level of environmental protection for shorelines in the state and a goal of “no net loss” of shoreline function. The City of Kenmore is conducting a comprehensive update of its SMP with grant assistance and guidance from the State Department of Ecology.
The City’s SMP provides goals, policies, development regulations, and permitting procedures for “shorelines of the state” in City jurisdiction, as defined by the SMA. In Kenmore, these areas include Lake Washington, the Sammamish River (Slough), the main stem of Swamp Creek, and all lands 200 feet landward of or associated with these waters. The update is being prepared consistent with the SMA and its implementing guidelines.
Click here for a guide to Frequently Used SMP Terms
The Washington Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was adopted in a 1972 referendum “to prevent the inherent harm in an uncoordinated and piecemeal development of the state’s shorelines.” The SMA has three broad policies:
- Encourage water-dependent and water-oriented uses: "uses shall be preferred which are consistent with control of pollution and prevention of damage to the natural environment, or are unique to or dependent upon use of the states' shorelines....”
- Promote public access: “the public’s opportunity to enjoy the physical and aesthetic qualities of natural shorelines of the state shall be preserved to the greatest extent feasible consistent with the overall best interest of the state and the people generally."
- Protect shoreline natural resources, including "...the land and its vegetation and wildlife, and the water of the state and their aquatic life...."
Statewide, the SMA applies to marine coastal areas, all rivers and streams downstream from a point where the mean annual flow is 20 cubic feet per second or greater, and lakes over 20 acres in size. In Kenmore, this includes Lake Washington, the Sammamish River, and the main stem of Swamp Creek.
The SMA also applies to adjacent shorelands located 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (measured horizontally) and associated wetlands. The SMA jurisdiction can be expanded to include the entire contiguous floodplain associated with “shorelines of the state.” In Kenmore, wetlands associated with Lake Washington, the Sammamish River, and Swamp Creek total over 172 acres. The Draft Shoreline Master Program Update includes maps that have been prepared for the SMP Update effort.
Within the SMA jurisdictional area, all land use activities must meet the goals, policies, and regulations in the SMP. Current goals, policies and regulations of Kenmore’s current SMP can be found in the City of Kenmore Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code. During the SMP Update, the City’s current SMP goals, policies, and regulations will be assessed and revised to meet the Department Ecology’s 2003 shoreline guidelines and current conditions within the City.
Different types of land use activities require different types of shoreline permits. Land use activities include: dredging or construction of in-water structures; new buildings and structures; and land development activities such as clearing, grading, or filling.
Kenmore’s current SMP was adopted at the time the City of Kenmore was incorporated as a city in 1998. The city chose to adopt the policies and regulations of the King County SMP, which was originally adopted in 1978. Included in the current SMP are policies and regulations (see below) that determine how the City’s SMA jurisdictional shorelines are managed. The broad goals of the program are to protect natural resources, increase public access to shorelines and encourage water-dependent uses.
In the 30 years since the County’s SMP was first adopted, and in the 10 years since Kenmore incorporated as a City, significant changes have occurred throughout the City. Kenmore’s population has grown by more than 1000 people (more than 5%) since 1998 (2000 and 2005 U.S. Census Data) and significant development has brought numerous new businesses, housing developments, infrastructure, and development patterns to the shoreline areas.
The SMP update includes developing a shoreline inventory and characterization, shoreline environment designations, updated policies and regulations, and a restoration plan. It also includes involving the community to ensure the plan reflects the broad public interest in the shorelines of Kenmore.
• What is the Shoreline Inventory and Analysis Report and how will it be used?
The inventory and characterization documents current shoreline conditions and provides a basis for updating the City’s SMP goals, policies, and regulations. The inventory and characterization identifies existing conditions, evaluates existing functions and values of shoreline resources, and describes opportunities for conservation and restoration of ecological functions. This helps in making sound decisions on policies and regulations and also provides a baseline for comparing the success of the SMP at meeting its objectives.
• What are shoreline environment designations?
Shoreline environment designations function like an additional zoning layer. Each designation permits certain uses and developments, if allowed by the underlying zoning requirements. The purpose of shoreline environment designations is to provide a uniform basis for applying policies and regulations within distinctly different shoreline areas.
• What polices and regulations will be changed through the SMP update?
The SMP is a local, long range plan implementing the SMA. The SMP includes goals, policies, development standards, use regulations and a permitting process for activities located within the shoreline jurisdiction. The City’s current SMP was developed by King County and adopted when Kenmore was incorporated, so this will be Kenmore’s first opportunity to develop shoreline polices unique to Kenmore. The City’s SMP update must be consistent with State guidelines, and will be integrated with other City plans and regulations such as the Comprehensive Plan, zoning code, and critical areas regulations. All local SMPs must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Ecology.
• What is a Shoreline Restoration Plan?
The Shoreline Restoration Plan guidelines require that local governments develop SMP policies that promote restoration of damaged shoreline ecological functions and develop a “real and meaningful” strategy to implement restoration objectives. Planning for shoreline restoration includes identifying opportunities (both programmatic and site-specific), establishing goals and policies, working cooperatively with other regional entities, and supporting restoration through other regulatory and non-regulatory programs.
Back to Top
| 6/30/2009 | | Draft SMP Update to Department of Ecology for review |
| 9/9/2009 | | Public Hearing on Draft SMP Update |
| 1/2010 | | Planning Commission recommendation finalized |
| 2/2010 | | Planning Commission recommendation presented to City Council |
| 3/2010 | | Public Hearing on Draft SMP Update |
| 7/2010 | | City Council workshops on SMP issues |
| 9/2010 | | Continued Public Hearing on Draft SMP Update and possible Council adoption
of the SMP |
The Planning Commission presented their final recommendation on the Draft Shoreline Master Program to the City Council on February 25, 2010. Click here to view the Planning Commission final recommendation as presented to the City Council. The City Council held a public hearing on March 29 and continued the hearing to May 27, 2010. Click here to view additional materials, including staff recommended amendments to the Planning Commissions draft. On July 8, July 13 and July 26, 2010, the City Council scheduled workshop meetings on specific SMP issues. Click here to view materials for the workshop meetings, including additional staff recommended amendments. At the regular City Council meeting on September 13, 2010, the City Council will continue the public hearing on the SMP and consider ordinance adoption. Click here to view materials prepared for the meeting, including proposed final ordinances.
State
Federal
Back to Top