Ordinance No. 20224 - Laserfiche WebLink

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section, fences, landscaping and unauthorized fill do not constitute development" to warrant exclusion from the /WP overlay zone. Graded and graveled areas are exempt under these provisions only when they were constructed prior to May 24, 1995, and only if they were constructed as an essential component of the development of the site. The 3 components of the /WP area are described and defined as follows: (1) The area within the channel lints of a water feature (from top of high bank to top of high bank). For a given stream, river, channel, or pond, the top of the bank is the highest point at which the bank meets the grade of the surrounding topography, characterized by an abrupt or noticeable change from a steeper grade to a less steep grade, and, where natural conditions prevail, by a noticeable change from topography or vegetation primarily shaped by the presence and/or movement of the water to topography not primarily shaped by the presence of water. Where there is more than one such break in the grade, the uppermost shall be considered the top of the high bank. (2) Buffer setback areas are measured horizontally from the top of the high bank or from the line of ordinary high water. The planning director shall determine whether the buffer is measured from the top of the high bank or from the line of ordinary high water. (a) Where possible, the buffer setback is measured horizontally from the top of the high bank of the water feature, as defined above. Buffer setback distances measured from the top of the high bank are as follows: Minimum Buffer Setbacks from Tot) of Bank Water Feature Buffer setback Perennial, within floodway 60 feet Perennial, outside floodway 40 feet Intermittent or seasonal 20 feet (b) If the top of the high bank is not identifiable, or if it has been significantly altered through channel reconfiguration or other enhancements consistent with the provisions of this overlay zone and applicable natural resource special standards (EC 9.2530 Natural Resource Special Standards the buffer setbacks are measured horizontally from the 'line of ordinary high water. In a given stream, pond, or other water body, the line of ordinary high water is the line on the bank or shore to which seasonal high water rises annually. Identified in the field by physical characteristics that include one or more of the following: 1. A clear, natural line impressed on the bank. 2. Changes in the characteristics of soils. 3. The presence of water -borne litter and debris. 4. Destruction of terrestrial vegetation. If reliable water level data are available for 3 or more consecutive previous years, the line of ordinary high water can be considered the mean of the highest Ordinance - 166