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17.24 - 1 CHAPTER 17.24 TECHNIQUES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION SECTION: 17.24.010: Purpose 17.24.020: Applicability 17.24.030: Natural Resources Classified 17.24.040: Standards and Techniques for Preserving Natural Resources 17.24.010: Purpose: The purpose of this Chapter is to provide techniques, compensation and incentives for property owners who are required to protect natural resources located within the City according to KMC 18.58 through 18.63, and property owners choosing to protect natural resources within the City of Kennewick, thus preserving the City’s natural resources while respecting the rights of property owners. (Ord. 5280 Sec. 1, 2010) 17.24.020: Applicability: The provisions of this Chapter apply to all real property within the City of Kennewick which is classified as natural resource lands. Many of Kennewick’s natural resources have been classified as critical areas and are required to be protected through the City’s Critical Areas’ Ordinance. Others have been designated in sub-area and master plans. While those that have been identified are required to be preserved, some property owners may feel that they have a significant resource that is of benefit to the community and worth protecting. In these cases the property owner, with approval from the City, may choose to preserve this resource and take advantage of the incentives outlined in this Chapter. Standards in this Chapter shall be used in addition to the standards of the underlying zone. (Ord. 5280 Sec. 1, 2010) 17.24.030: Natural Resources Classified: Natural resources within the City of Kennewick shall be classified as the following: Critical areas and their associated buffers, which shall be preserved according to KMC 18.59, 18.60, 18.61, 18.62, and 18.63; Ridgelines, hilltops, canyons, trails and greenways, as identified in applicable sub-area or master plans, shall be preserved according to measures within their respective plans; and All other natural resource lands not indicated in KMC 17.24.030(1) and KMC 17.24.030(2) may be preserved by the property owner, with approval from the City, in order to utilize the incentives laid out in KMC 17.24.040. Examples of these lands may include natural drainage-ways, recreational trails, existing native vegetation, and land used to connect disconnected public spaces. (Ord. 5280 Sec. 1, 2010) 17.24.040: Standards and Techniques for Preserving Natural Resources: Natural resources can be integrated with the site layout and be preserved by using special techniques. The tools and techniques provided in this section are intended to minimize impacts to natural resources lands. Onsite Density Transfer: A portion of the density for areas having natural resource lands that remain undeveloped may be transferred to other areas of the development site if clustering concepts are used and the project retains acceptable open space. The ---PAGE BREAK--- 17.24 - 2 following chart indicates the amount of density that can be transferred, based on the area of the natural resource land being preserved; Category of Natural Resource Area Percent of Natural Resource Area Density That May Be Transferred 1. Wetlands and associated buffers 2. Priority Habitat and associated buffers 3. Slopes ≥ 40% 4. Landslide Hazard Areas 25% 1. Slopes < 40% 2. Erosion Hazard Areas 3. Flood zones 100% For purposes of the density transfer, the natural resource area must be equal to or greater than the minimum lot size for the underlying zone, and the non- natural resource portion of the property must be able to accommodate a denser development; When using on-site density transfer, the density may be increased, not to exceed the maximum density of the next most intense zoning district. Also, the site development standards of the next most intense zone may be used as well; (see table below) Existing District District Using Density Transfer RS Becomes RL RL Becomes RM RM Becomes RH RH Remains RH An on-site density transfer shall meet the requirements and follow the procedures of the underlying land use permit processes such as, plats, short plats, binding site plans and/or planned development permits; On-site density transfers shall be recorded with all related conditions, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, to become a part of the deed of the property and shall run with the land. Cluster Development: Subdivisions may cluster lots on the less sensitive portion of the parcel preserving the more sensitive natural resource lands that exist on the site. When utilizing cluster development to preserve natural resources, the required lot sizes, street frontages and setbacks may be reduced in accordance with 17.24.040(1)(b) in order to accommodate the cluster development. Dedication of Natural Resource Lands: Natural resource lands may be preserved in exchange for a credit towards park fees required by the subdivision of land for residential purposes. (Please see KMC 17.100.010(4) for credit ratios); Conservation Easements: A conservation easement may be used to preserve natural open space as a stand-alone tool or in conjunction with a clustered development. ---PAGE BREAK--- 17.24 - 3 Conservation easements shall be called out on the face of the plat; Tracts: Tracts may also be used to preserve open space through the platting process. (See KMC 17.20.010(5)) (Ord. 5365 Sec. 2, 2011: Ord. 5280 Sec. 1, 2010)