21.68.160 Utilities Within Shorelines.
A. Permitted Locations. Utilities may be allowed within the Shoreline Jurisdiction pursuant to RZC 21.68.050.C, Uses and Activities in Shoreline Environments. Utilities includes all services and facilities that produce, convey, store, or process power, gas, water, sewage, communications, oil, waste, and the like.
B. Construction Standards. Where allowed, utilities shall meet the following construction standards:
1. Primary above-ground utilities not dependent on a shoreline location shall be located outside of the Shoreline Jurisdiction, unless it is demonstrated that no feasible alternative location exists.
2. All utility facilities shall be designed and located to assure no net loss of shoreline ecological functions and preserve the natural landscape.
3. All utility facilities shall be designed and located to minimize conflicts with present and planned land and shoreline uses while meeting the needs of future populations in areas planned to accommodate growth.
4. Transmission facilities for the conveyance of energy and communication services, such as power lines, cables, and pipelines, shall be located outside the Shoreline Jurisdiction where feasible, and when necessarily located within shoreline areas, shall assure no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
5. Utility transmission lines, pipelines, and cables shall be placed underground, pursuant to RZC 21.17.020, Electrical Equipment and Wiring.
6. Utilities shall be located in existing rights-of-way, utility corridors and sites, and bridge crossings wherever feasible. However, no additional utilities shall be located in the utility corridor along the west side of the edge of Lake Sammamish containing the City’s sewer line.
7. Water Crossings.
a. New corridors involving above-water crossings or underwater tunneling are prohibited, unless it is demonstrated that no feasible alternative exists.
b. Underwater pipelines transporting hazardous substances or other substances harmful to aquatic life or water quality are prohibited, unless it is demonstrated that no feasible alternative exists. Such pipelines shall meet the requirements for transmission lines within floodways contained in RZC 21.64.040.C.3.i.
c. Where it is necessary for transmission and distribution lines to cross water bodies, crossings shall be by the shortest, most direct route feasible, unless alternative locations would provide better protection of the shoreline natural environment.
8. Landfilling in the Aquatic, Natural, and Urban Conservancy shoreline environments for non-water-dependent utilities is prohibited.
9. Where allowed, utilities located within the Aquatic, Natural, and Urban Conservancy shoreline environments shall be designed and located to minimize the need for shoreline protective structures.
10. New publicly owned utility corridors maintained by a public or quasi-public utility shall incorporate shoreline public access, such as trails, viewpoints and vehicle turnouts, where compatible with adjacent land uses and the shoreline natural environment. Corridors owned by private utility entities shall be integrated, where possible, with trails or other open space connections to the shoreline. This requirement does not apply to utilities in easements on private property.
11. Utilities shall not encroach into shoreline view corridors unless no feasible alternative exists. Where the aesthetic quality of the shoreline may be degraded, utilities shall incorporate screening and landscaping sufficient to maintain the shoreline aesthetic quality.
12. Outfalls. Outfalls and discharge pipes located upstream of salmon and steelhead spawning areas and freshwater clam and mussel beds shall be designed and constructed to minimize downstream disturbance. Outfalls shall not be located within salmon and steelhead spawning areas, or freshwater clam and mussel beds, unless the following criteria are met:
a. No feasible alternative location exists;
b. The outfall is placed below the surface of the beach or streambed;
c. The outfall discharges waterward of the littoral zone or further, where necessary to prevent discharge directly into shallow areas used by salmon and steelhead; and
d. Any disturbed upland or aquatic areas are revegetated and enhanced with native plants, habitat features, and restored substrate.
13. Clearing of vegetation within utility corridors shall be the minimum necessary for infrastructure maintenance and public safety, and is subject to the requirements of RZC 21.68.170, Vegetation Management.
14. Stormwater conveyance and detention facilities shall be designed to incorporate native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants and, where applicable, native aquatic vegetation. Use of nonnative turf grasses shall be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the conveyance or detention area. Detention facilities shall be designed with a maximum side slope of 3:1.
15. Utilities located in the floodplain are subject to the additional requirements of RZC 21.64.040.C, Flood Hazard Areas – Development Standards.
16. Utilities are subject to the stream and wetland buffers, and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas requirements contained in RZC 21.64, Critical Areas Regulations.
17. See RZC 21.17, Adequate Public Facilities and Undergrounding of Utilities, for additional Citywide utility standards. (Ord. 2652)