4.28.040 Designation criteria and standards - Open space-general.
The following areas may be considered for designation as open space-general:
(1) Urban areas where the entire site is in an undeveloped, natural state and has slopes of 25 percent or greater or where at least one-half of the total site area is in slopes of at least 35 percent in gradient.
(2) Areas designated on the comprehensive land use plan or the county park and recreation plan as potential parks, trails, or open space, or designated as a critical area or environmentally sensitive area.
(3) Areas which have plant or animal species which are considered rare, sensitive, threatened or endangered by an authority recognized by the county.
(4) Sites within urban areas to be left in their natural state where the site is of at least one acre in size and is predominantly forested with mature, specimen trees.
(5) Areas which are in an undeveloped, natural state and are not under the jurisdiction of the state Shoreline Management Act and are situated within stream corridors, i.e., streams and/or their associated stream buffers on either side of the stream. Buffer width may be increased from the standards for streams listed in SCC 30.62A.320 Table 2a due to topographic, vegetative or wildlife habitat features which would logically suggest a wider buffer.
(6) Undeveloped, natural areas adjacent to water bodies which come under the jurisdiction of the state Shoreline Management Act and are designated by the Snohomish County Shoreline Management Program.
(7) Sites within an urban area which would serve as a buffer between residential development and tracts of land in excess of five acres which are designated on an adopted comprehensive plan for commercial or industrial development:
(a) Where the site area is covered by stands of trees in excess of 20 feet in height; and
(b) Where the ground vegetation creates a visual separation of at least 50 feet between the residential tracts of land and the commercial or industrial lands; or
(c) Where the topographic features of the site form a physical separation from the abutting commercial or industrial lands by reason of a gully or ravine or similar land condition.
(8) Areas that would safely provide either public vehicular or pedestrian access to public bodies of water:
(a) Where the site area abutting the water is at least 60 feet in width for vehicular access; or
(b) Where the site area abutting the water is at least 25 feet in width for pedestrian access.
(9) Areas which provide a scenic vista to which the general public has safe vehicular or pedestrian access.
(10) Sites devoted to private outdoor recreational pursuits such as golf courses, riding stables, lakes, etc., PROVIDED That access to such facilities and areas is provided to the general public free of charge or at reasonable, customary rates.
(11) Areas which contain features of unique historic, cultural or educational values which are open to the public’s use, (e.g., public access to displays, interpretive centers, etc.), free of charge or at reasonable, customary rates:
(a) Where there are several varieties or species of flora, fauna, or both present on the site making it desirable for educational study; or
(b) Where there are habitats or species of plant life which are considered rare, sensitive, threatened or endangered by an authority recognized by the county; or
(c) Where there is or are recognized landmarks present on the site which provide visual reference and orientation for surrounding terrain (would include major promontories and rock formations but would exclude mountain forms and ranges); or
(d) Where there are historic or archeological features on the site of at least 50 years of age, which would have value to future generations due to the uncommon nature or rare representation of past times and events.
(12) Areas located adjacent to public parks, public trails or other public lands which would materially add to or enhance the recreational opportunities of that facility:
(a) Where such a site would constitute a logical extension of the park or other public lands including provisions for public use but had been excluded principally by lack of funds; or
(b) Where the site would provide additional public access to such lands during the duration of its open space classification; or
(c) Where the site contains unique features of recreational value which if public use of the site were allowed would expand the variety of recreational opportunities contained in the park or public lands; or
(d) Where the site would act as a buffer between the park and surrounding development.
(13) Areas which contain or abut managed or monitored wildlife preserves or sanctuaries, arboretums or other designated open space and which will enhance the value of those resources:
(a) Where the open space designation would encompass a minimum of 10 acres in land area; and
(i) Where plant life and/or animal life contained within the site are found in abundant varieties; or
(ii) Where the site area can be distinguished from surrounding lands due to the unusualness of the vegetation or the animal life inhabitants.
(14) Wetland areas of at least one-fourth acre in size. Associated wetland buffers may also be included. The wetland buffer width may be increased from the standard wetland buffer listed in SCC 30.62A.320 Table 2b due to topographic, vegetative or wildlife habitat features which would logically suggest a wider buffer.
(15) Areas which lie adjacent to scenic highways which if not designated as open space would otherwise be subject to pressures for intense development:
(a) Where such highways have been designated by a city, the county or the state as scenic; and
(b) Where at least one-half of the total site lies within 200 feet of the highway; and
(c) Where pressures for urbanization are evident either due to provision of public water and sewer facilities to the area, subdivision activity in the immediate vicinity of the site, or the development of previously platted lands.
(16) Undeveloped areas five acres and larger which are not within the 100-year flood plain, suitable for agricultural pursuits which may not currently be devoted to such use:
(a) Where the comprehensive land use plan or the agricultural preservation plan designates the site as suitable for agricultural development; or
(b) Where more than 75 percent of the total site area contains tillable class 2 or 3 agricultural soils as categorized by the Natural Resources Conservation Service land capability classification system.
(17) Undeveloped areas which contain a minimum of five acres which are located within the 100-year flood plain as established by Snohomish County.
(18) Areas where the entire site is in an undeveloped, natural state and is considered geologically hazardous by an authority recognized by the county.
(19) Areas which are protective buffers as required by development regulations implementing the Growth Management Act.
(20) Farm and agricultural conservation land as defined in RCW 84.34.020(8):
(a) Land that was previously classified under RCW 84.34.020(2) that no longer meets the criteria of subsection RCW 84.34.020(2), and that is reclassified under RCW 84.34.020(1); or
(b) Land that is traditional farmland that is not classified under chapter 84.33 or 84.34 RCW, that has not been irrevocably devoted to a use inconsistent with agricultural uses, and that has a high potential for returning to commercial agriculture. (Added by Ord. 92-080, July 23, 1992; Amended by Amended Ord. 12-025, June 6, 2012, Eff date July 27, 2012; Amended by Amended Ord. 14-054, Aug. 20, 2014, Eff date Sept. 4, 2014).