A.
To designate and classify ecologically sensitive and hazardous areas and to assure no net loss of shoreline ecological functions, while also allowing for reasonable use of private property.
B.
To implement the goals, policies, guidelines, and requirements of Mukilteo's comprehensive plan, the Washington State Growth Management Act, and the Shoreline Management Act.
C.
The city of Mukilteo finds that critical areas provide a variety of valuable and beneficial biological and physical functions that benefit Mukilteo and its residents, and/or may pose a threat to human safety or to public and private property. The beneficial functions and values provided by critical areas include, but are not limited to, water quality protection and enhancement, fish and wildlife habitat, food chain support, flood storage, conveyance and attenuation of flood waters, ground water recharge and discharge, erosion control, protection from hazards, historical, archaeological, and aesthetic value protection, and recreation. These beneficial functions are not listed in order of priority.
D.
To protect critical areas in accordance with the Growth Management Act and through the application of the best available science and in consultation with state and federal agencies and other qualified professionals.
E.
To limit development and alteration of critical areas and provide minimum development regulations to:
1.
Protect members of the public and public resources and facilities from injury, loss of life, or property damage due to landslides and steep slope failures, erosion, seismic events, liquefaction, tsunami or flooding;
2.
Maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems through the protection of unique, fragile, and valuable elements of the environment, including ground and surface waters, wetlands, and fish and wildlife and their habitats, and to conserve the biodiversity of plant and animal species;
3.
Preserve, replace or enhance, to the maximum extent practicable, native evergreens, specimen deciduous trees, understory and groundcover within the city;
4.
To minimize water quality degradation and the sedimentation of creeks, streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands and other Puget Sound water bodies;
5.
To minimize the impact of increased runoff, erosion and sedimentation on downstream properties and water bodies caused by improper land development maintenance practices;
6.
To maintain and protect the habitat of threatened and endangered wildlife species;
7.
To maintain and protect the Mukilteo shoreline including the protection of eelgrass and forage fish habitats;
8.
To maintain and protect groundwater resources and hydraulic flows that support seasonal and year around water bodies;
9.
To minimize adverse effects of alteration in ground and surface water quantities, locations and flow patterns;
10.
To decrease potential landslide, flood and erosion damage to public and private property;
11.
To promote site-planning building practices which are consistent with the city's natural topographical, vegetational and hydrological features;
12.
Direct activities not dependent on critical areas resources to less ecologically sensitive sites and mitigate unavoidable impacts to critical areas by regulating alterations in and adjacent to critical areas; and
13.
Prevent cumulative adverse environmental impacts to water quality, wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat, and the overall net loss of wetlands, frequently flooded areas, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas.
F.
To provide flexibility and attention to site-specific characteristics when administering this code. It is not the intent of this code to make a parcel of property unusable by denying its owner reasonable use of the property nor to prevent the provision of public facilities and services necessary to support existing development.
G.
The city of Mukilteo's enactment or enforcement of this chapter shall not be construed to benefit any individual person or group of persons other than the general public.
(Ord. 1295 § 10 (Exh. 1B) (part), 2011; Ord. 1427 § 3 (Exh. C) (part), 2019)