17.10.076 Increased stream buffer width.
The director may increase the standard buffer width required for the category of stream up to 50 percent when necessary to protect streams when the stream is particularly sensitive to disturbance, or the development poses unusual impacts. Circumstances which may require buffers beyond minimum requirements include, but are not limited to:
A. The section of stream affected by the development proposal, and/or the adjacent riparian corridor contains essential habitat; or
B. The land adjacent to the stream and its associated buffer is classified as a geologically hazardous or unstable area; or
C. The riparian corridor provides a significant source of water, provides superior shading of stream waters or contributes organic material important to stream habitat areas; or
D. A trail or utility corridor is proposed within the buffer; or
E. A drainage improvement or water quality feature, such as a grass-lined swale, is proposed within the buffer; or
F. There has previously been substantial alteration of the adjacent buffer, and an increased buffer is necessary to improve the functions and values of the buffer; or
G. When the minimum buffer for a stream extends into an area with a slope of greater than 25 percent, the buffer shall be the greater of:
1. The minimum buffer for that particular stream type; or
2. Twenty-five feet beyond the point where the slope becomes 25 percent or less. (Ord. 3193 § 2, 2016)