Take a look at the staff memo and the mitigation manual draft below, then send your comments to pcd@ci.bainbridge-isl.wa.us Attention: Planning Commission. We have included Gary Tripp’s comments on the proposed draft below.
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The SMP Mitigation Manual requires a Forest to be planted in your view
SMP Mitigation Manual (attached)
1. Exceeds the DOE SMP Guidelines
2. Retroactively applies vegetation zone requirement to existing lawns, landscaping and accessory structures.
3. Requires a “Forest” be planted in your view and blocking your neighbor’s view
4. Forced “Restorations” on private property
5. Uses limits made up by bureaucrats instead of engineers
We all agree that we have a responsibility to mitigate any new impacts and City Staff will say they just trying to make it easier for you to mitigate your impacts without having to hire a consultant. That may be true if you are expanding your home and you don’t care about your view or your neighbor’s view. But where they really cross the line is by considering your existing front yard to be Nonconforming.
SMP regulations do not applying RETROACTIVELY to existing uses and structures. Lawns and landscaping are “uses”. Decks and accessory buildings are structures. Changing your landscaping, digging up your lawn to fix your septic system or rebuilding your gazebo does not cause an impact requiring mitigation. Nor should it require planting a “Forest” in your view and giving up your use of that part of your yard. The Forest will not only block your view but it will also block your neighbor’s view and those who live behind you.
The Mitigation Plan also places arbitrary limits on stairs (120 sq. ft.) and boathouses (200 sq. ft.). With that limit most stairs will need a variance. We should trust engineering. Set the limit for stairs and boathouses at the minimum necessary to accomplish the task.
Gary Tripp
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