18.65.110 Critical area report requirement

18.65.110 Critical area report requirement.

(1) Unless waived or modified by the Director, an applicant proposing activities which include impacts or alteration of a critical area or its associated buffer shall submit a critical areas report that adequately evaluates the proposal and probable impacts, and proposed mitigation.

(2) The critical area report shall be prepared by a qualified professional, incorporate best available science, and include, at the minimum, the following items:

(a) The name and contact information of the applicant, the name and a description of the proposal;

(b) Vicinity map;

(d) A scaled site plan depicting critical areas, buffers, setbacks, and proposed improvements;

(e) Photographs of the site and critical areas;

(f) Identification and classification of all critical areas and critical area buffers on the site;

(g) Identification and characterization of all critical areas on those properties immediately adjacent to the proposed improvements;

(h) Identification of each regulation or standard of this chapter proposed to be modified;

(i) A habitat assessment consistent with the requirements of CMC 18.65.350;

(j) A comparison of the level of protection of critical area functions and values provided by the regulations or standards of this chapter, compared with the level of protection provided by the proposal. The analysis shall include:

(i) A discussion of the functions and values currently provided by the critical area and critical area buffer on the site and their relative importance to the ecosystem in which they exist;

(ii) A discussion of the functions and values likely to be provided by the critical area and critical area buffer on the site as a result of the proposal over the anticipated life of the proposed development;

(k) A description of the proposed impacts to critical areas and/or their associated buffers;

(l) A description of efforts made to apply mitigation sequencing pursuant to CMC 18.65.120 to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to critical areas;

(m) A discussion of the mitigation requirements applicable to the proposal pursuant to this chapter and a recommendation for additional or modified mitigation or enhancement, if any;

(n) Additional information required for the individual critical area;

(o) Any additional information determined by the Director to adequately review the proposed activity; and

(p) A detailed mitigation plan, including required elements in CMC 18.65.130, may be requested by the Director.

(3) Critical area reports may be reviewed by the City’s third-party consultant at the applicant’s expense, at the City’s discretion. (Ord. 09-19 § 9 (Exh. D); Ord. 06-17 § 4 (Exh. B))