16.20.410 Transportation: trails, roads, and parking.
(1) New or expanded motor vehicle and rail transportation facilities shall not be located within shoreline jurisdiction, unless:
(a) The proponent demonstrates that no feasible upland alternatives exist;
(b) The project represents the minimum development necessary to serve another specific, localized, and permitted shoreline use; or
(c) In the case of a water crossing, the proponent demonstrates that the project is necessary to further a substantial public interest.
(2) When new roads or road expansions are unavoidable in shoreline jurisdiction, proposed transportation facilities shall be planned, located, and designed to achieve the following:
(a) Meet mitigation sequencing provisions of ECMC 16.20.230, Environmental protection;
(b) Avoid adverse impacts on existing or planned water-oriented uses;
(c) Set back from the OHWM to allow for a usable shoreline area for vegetation conservation and any preferred shoreline uses unless infeasible;
(d) Minimize grading, vegetation clearing, and alterations of the natural topography; and
(e) Use BMPs for preventing erosion and degradation of surface water quality.
(3) Improvements to existing motor vehicle and rail transportation facilities shall not interfere with pedestrian and bicycle access, and shall whenever possible provide for expansion and enhancement of pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities.
(4) Transportation facilities and services for motor vehicles shall utilize existing transportation corridors whenever possible.
(5) The development, improvement, and expansion of pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities are allowed within all environments. Such transportation facilities are a preferred use wherever they are compatible with the natural character, resources, and ecology of the shoreline.
(6) Pedestrian and bicycle transportation facilities shall be designed, located, and constructed consistent with the policies and regulations for public access as provided in ECMC 16.20.260, Public access, of this SMP.
(7) Parking facilities are not a water-dependent use and shall only be permitted in the shoreline jurisdiction to support an authorized use where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the shoreline administrator that there are no feasible alternative locations away from the shoreline. Parking as a primary use shall not be allowed in any shoreline jurisdiction. Accessory parking facilities shall be subject to the same permit type as the primary use.
(8) Transportation and parking facilities shall be planned to avoid or minimize adverse effects on unique or fragile shoreline features and shall not result in a net loss of shoreline ecological functions or adversely affect existing or planned water-dependent uses. Parking facilities shall be located upland of the principal structure, building, or development they serve, and preferably outside of shoreline jurisdiction, except:
(a) Where the proponent demonstrates that an alternate location would reduce adverse impacts on the shoreline and adjacent uses;
(b) Where another location is not feasible; and/or
(c) Except when Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards require otherwise.
In such cases, the applicant shall demonstrate use of measures to reduce adverse impacts of parking facilities in shoreline jurisdiction, such as low impact development techniques, buffering, or other measures approved by the shoreline administrator.
(9) Parking facilities shall be landscaped in a manner to minimize adverse visual and aesthetic impacts on adjacent shoreline and abutting properties.
(10) All forms of transportation facilities shall, wherever feasible, consolidate water crossings and make joint use of rights-of-way with existing or planned future primary utility facilities and other transportation facility modalities.
(11) Improvements to all existing transportation facilities shall provide for the reestablishment and enhancement of natural vegetation along the shoreline when appropriate.
(12) If located in the side yard or waterward side of a structure, loading areas shall be screened from view of pedestrians on either side of the waterway. The visual screen shall be composed of a fence or wall with trees and shrubs consistent with city landscape standards.
(13) Shoreline crossings and culverts shall be designed to minimize adverse impacts on riparian and aquatic habitat and shall allow for fish passage.
(14) Trails shall be designed consistent with public access requirements in ECMC 16.20.260, Public Access. (Ord. 484 § 2, 2014)