14.50.300.04 Urban conservancy.
A. Purpose. The urban conservancy shoreline environment designation is intended to provide for ecological protection and rehabilitation in relatively undeveloped areas in shoreline jurisdiction, while allowing agricultural use, water-oriented and non-water-oriented recreational development, low intensity residential development and limited development suitable to lands characterized by ecological and flood hazard constraints.
B. Designation Criteria. The urban conservancy shoreline environment designation is assigned to shoreline jurisdictions that:
1. Are appropriate and planned for low intensity agricultural, recreational and residential development that is compatible with maintaining or restoring the ecological functions of the area in shoreline jurisdiction and that are not generally suitable for water-dependent uses;
2. Are suitable for water-related or water-enjoyment uses;
3. Possess development limitations, due to the presence of critical environmental features including:
a. Erosion hazard areas;
b. Wetlands;
c. Flood hazard areas; or
d. Habitat areas;
4. Have the potential for development that is compatible with ecological restoration;
5. Retain important ecological functions, even though partially developed; or
6. Are undesignated areas.
C. Management Policies. Development within the urban conservancy shoreline environment designation shall be consistent with the following policies:
1. Allow uses that preserve the natural character of the shoreline environment, promote preservation of open space, floodway, floodplain or critical areas directly or over the long term as the primary allowed uses. Allow uses that result in restoration of ecological functions if the use is otherwise compatible with the purpose of the environment and setting.
2. Implement public access and public recreation objectives whenever feasible and significant ecological impacts can be mitigated.
3. Give preferred water-oriented uses priority instead of non-water-oriented uses. Water-dependent and recreational development should be given highest priority.
4. Water-dependent and water-enjoyment recreation facilities that do not deplete the resource over time, such as boating and water access facilities, angling and wildlife viewing trails, are preferred uses, provided significant adverse impacts to the shoreline are mitigated.
5. Agriculture, forest practices and low-intensity residential development when consistent with provisions of the SMP are preferred uses.
6. Ensure that standards for new development for shoreline stabilization measures, vegetation conservation, water quality and shoreline modifications do not result in a net loss of ecological functions or degrade other shoreline values.