14.50.510.01 Policies.
A. Shorelines are a limited ecological and economic resource. Apply the following priorities in the order presented below when determining allowable uses or resolving use conflicts in shoreline jurisdiction:
1. Reserve appropriate areas for protecting and restoring ecological functions to control pollution and prevent damage to the natural environment and public health;
2. Reserve shoreline areas for water-dependent and associated water-related uses. Mixed-use developments that include water-dependent uses may be allowed when specific conditions are met;
3. Reserve shoreline areas for other water-related and water-enjoyment uses that are compatible with ecological protection and restoration objectives;
4. Locate single-family residential uses where they are appropriate and can be developed without significant impact to ecological functions or displacement of water-dependent uses;
5. Limit non-water-oriented uses to those locations where the uses described above are inappropriate or where non-water-oriented uses demonstrably contribute to the objectives of the SMA; and
6. Allow parking only as an accessory to a primary use.
B. Locate accessory structures or uses within shoreline jurisdiction, such as parking, service buildings or areas, access roads, utilities, signs and storage, landward of required shoreline buffers and water-oriented developments or other approved uses.
C. Locate, design and manage uses and development to minimize impacts through bulk and dimensional regulations, shoreline buffers and other measures to ensure that the development will not result in a net loss of shoreline ecological functions and in a manner that supports long-term beneficial use of the shoreline and protects and maintains shoreline ecological functions and processes.
D. Develop and enforce regulations for shoreline buffers for the purposes of protecting existing ecological functions, accommodating water-oriented and preferred uses, recognizing existing development patterns and minimizing the creation of nonconforming uses and developments.
E. Do not permit uses where they would result in a net loss of shoreline ecological functions, adversely affect the quality or extent of habitat for native species, adversely affect other habitat conservation areas or interfere with navigation or other water-dependent uses.
F. Avoid adverse impacts to the shoreline or, if that is not feasible, minimize to the extent feasible and mitigate unavoidable impacts.