Kevin Glashan Smith
Kevin Glashan Smith
(425) 283-6308




CRITICAL AREAS UPDATES

December 21st, 2005. SAMMAMISH CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS NEW SETBACKS, BUFFERS FOR LAKES.

Lake Sammamish has a 45 foot buffer from the lake that restricts development. The term "buffer" means that there are limited things that can be done with the land. Except for limited exceptions, that is a no touch area. The new laws do allow for some shoreline access. The existing native vegetation must be kept to protect the environment. Residents do have the opportunity to reduce the buffer to 15 feet, as long as the owner meets some incentives to preserve the land. Those who had a 50 foot setback would still have one and a five foot setback would be applied to those who used to have a 20 foot setback.

For all other lakes and ponds in Sammamish, the council approved a 50 foot building setback. Unlike buffers, there are no incentives to reduce its width.
In addition, 25 percent of the trees on lakefront properties must be retained and a half of those trees must be located within the setback.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CAO CLICK THE LINK BELOW
www.ci.sammamish.wa.us