30.41C.150 Modifications | Snohomish County Code

30.41C.150 Modifications.

Rural sites may exhibit diverse characteristics reflecting unique rural character and, in the event that the applicant promotes innovative and creative design in the rural area while meeting the intent of preserving rural character, modifications to some standards required in this chapter may be approved.

(1) An applicant may request a modification to the following standards:

(a) The location of open space, except when adjacent to resource lands;

(b) The amount of existing vegetation that must be preserved pursuant to SCC 30.25.033(5);

(d) Width of the open space tract between property lines and roads pursuant to SCC 30.41C.070(2).

(2) A request for modification:

(a) Shall be submitted to the department and processed concurrently with the application for a rural cluster short subdivision or rural cluster subdivision; and

(b) Shall include a narrative description and any documents necessary to demonstrate that the modification meets the approval criteria in SCC 30.41C.030(2) and the performance standards in SCC 30.41C.050.

(3) The department, in the case of a rural cluster short subdivision, or the hearing examiner in the case of a rural cluster subdivision, may approve a request for modification when:

(a) The modification furthers the purpose of protecting rural character in accordance with SCC 30.41C.010 and 30.41C.050;

(b) The modification does not conflict with other applicable provisions of the Snohomish County Code;

(c) The modification fulfills the intended purpose of this chapter and represents an equal or better result than would be achieved by strictly following the requirements of the code; and

(d) The modification provides one or more of the following:

(i) Reduction of visual impact of primary and accessory structures on nearby properties;

(ii) Enhanced use of low impact development methods for the retention and treatment of storm water on site;

(iii) Improvement to on-site water quality control beyond the requirements prescribed in the Snohomish County Code; or

(iv) Increased retention of original natural habitat conditions by 20 percent or more than is required by chapter 30.62A, 30.62B or 30.62C SCC. (Added by Amended Ord. 08-087, Feb. 4, 2009, Eff date Apr. 5, 2009; Amended by Amended Ord. 13-042, July 10, 2013, Eff date July 22, 2013).