The City of Sammamish has taken an important step in the creation of a new policy document regulating shoreline development, with the release of its latest Shoreline Master Program (SMP) draft.

The document, released on Friday, Aug. 7, titled “City Council Public Review Draft of the Shoreline Master Program Update” is available for review at the city’s Web site — www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/SMP.

This week the city’s Community Development Deputy Director Susan Cezar told The Reporter that she believed the draft would address many of the concerns of waterfront property owners.

Homeowners on Lake Sammamish and Pine and Beaver lakes have followed closely the SMP process since the city began considering the additions to its municipal code that will be necessary for the city to be compliant with changes passed in 2003 to the Washington State Shoreline Management Act.

The Department of Ecology’s subsequent adoption of new SMP guidelines was the catalyst for the intensive planning process in which the cities of Issaquah and Sammamish, among others, find themselves now engaged.

The Department is requiring that cities revise their codes to reduce the impact that shoreline development is having on shoreline ecology, as the state of Washington struggles to find ways to preserve its natural environment in the face of continued development and urban expansion.

Wary that such code changes could unduly impact on their ability to maintain and develop properties on local shorelines, property owners have been closely involved in council deliberations thus far, contributing regularly during public submissions sessions at city hall, and even creating their own draft SMP document which they feel satisfies Ecology’s requirements without compromising development rights.

“This draft is definitely a response to both the council’s direction that we have received, and the input and submissions from residents,” Cezar said. Cezar was this week filling in for Community Development Director Kamuron Gurol, who has been the city’s key staff member in SMP discussions. “Hopefully this also addresses the particular issues of non-conforming uses, and vegetation management, which has been a concern of residents,” she said.

Cezar said that much work had been done to alleviate the concerns that property owners had about traditional uses of the shoreline, such as access tracks and accessory structures. Another of important changes is not regulatory, but structural.

“One of the biggest differences with this draft is we tried to edit it for clarity,” Cezar said. “It was one of the comments we often received. In this draft we have also worked to make things clearer by adding tables and diagrams.”

Though shoreline buffer zones have been a hot topic between city staff and residents, you won’t find the word ‘buffer’ in the new draft.Instead, the draft includes requirements for vegetation management, and setbacks.

“The term buffer is normally applied to critical areas, such as wetlands, and streams,” Cezar said. “We wanted to distinguish between buffers on critical areas and on the lakes. But the goal is essentially the same, to improve water quality.”

The issues addressed in the new draft also include docks, designations, public access, and the ordinary high water mark.

Mike Collins of the Sammamish Homeowners Association said the group was pleased staff were able to deliver the draft on schedule.

“They set a very aggressive timeframe to make some substantial changes to the document and they have done a nice job,” he said.

“We are working to review and understand this draft as quickly as possible in support of the City’s goal to adopt the final version in late September.”

An informational meeting focusing on this revised plan will be held on August 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. at City Hall. Staff and consultants will be available to provide information and answer questions.

Citizens may testify at the Public Hearing scheduled for Sep. 1.

Written comment regarding the SMP may be sent to the City Of Sammamish and will be accepted through the end of the City Council Hearing.

Council deliberations will be held in September, with a goal of adoption mid-month.

There will not be a Council Meeting on Sep. 22.

Tentative dates for adoption include Sep. 15 or 17.