2734 AMH NEWH MOET 129

HB 2734 - H AMD 1279

By Representative Newhouse

WITHDRAWN 2/19/2008

   Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 90.58 RCW to read as follows: (1)(a) A substantial development permit is not required for development within a restoration area if the proposed project is to be located on:

   (i) Shorelines designated as a high-intensity shoreline environment under the applicable master plan; or

   (ii) Shorelines consistent with a high-intensity shoreline environment designation under the applicable master plan.

   (b) For purposes of this section, a "restoration area" is an area that:

   (i) Was created by a landward shift in the ordinary high water mark that resulted from a voluntary habitat restoration project; and

   (ii) Was not subject to regulation under this chapter prior to the restoration project.

   (2)(a) Requests for development approvals within restoration areas that do not meet the requirements of subsections (1)(a)(i) and (ii) of this section may be granted in the form of restoration project variances. Restoration project variances may be issued to authorize relief from bulk, dimension, or other master program development standards, if:

   (i) The shift in shoreline jurisdiction resulting from the voluntary habitat restoration project causes hardship within the restoration area. "Hardship" under this subsection means that a reasonable use of the property is precluded or significantly diminished in the restoration area due to requirements of the applicable master program; and

   (ii) The variance includes measures to ensure that allowable uses of the property under this section result in no net loss of shoreline ecological functions within the restoration area.

   (b) Variances issued under this subsection (2) must be limited to only the minimum approvals necessary to afford relief, and may not cause the public interest to suffer substantial detriment.

   (3) Master programs may include provisions, including conditions of approval, areas of applicability, and other requirements, to ensure that restoration project variance processes achieve the objectives of this section."

   Correct the title.

EFFECT: (1) Strikes all provisions of the underlying bill. (2) Specifies that a substantial development permit is not required for qualifying development within a restoration area. (3) Specifies that a "restoration area" is an area that was created through a voluntary habitat restoration project and was not subject to regulation under the Shoreline Management Act before the restoration project. (4) Allows restoration project variances to be issued for development approvals that do not qualify for the substantial development permit exemption. (5) Includes requirements pertaining to the issuance of restoration project variances.