13.11.160 Transportation.
A. Parking facilities are not a water-dependent use and shall only be permitted in the shoreline to support an authorized use where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the shoreline administrator that there are no feasible alternative locations away from the shoreline.
B. Parking facilities shall be located upland of the principal structure, building, or development they serve, and preferably outside of shoreline jurisdiction, except:
1. Where the proponent demonstrates that an alternate location would reduce adverse impacts to the shoreline and adjacent uses; and/or
2. Where another location is not feasible due to the presence of existing transportation facilities or traffic engineering standards; and/or
3. Except when Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards require otherwise.
In such cases, the applicant shall demonstrate measures to reduce adverse impacts of parking facilities in shoreline jurisdiction such as low impact development techniques, buffering, or other measures approved by the shoreline administrator.
C. Parking facilities shall be landscaped in a manner to minimize adverse visual and aesthetic impacts upon adjacent shoreline and abutting properties. Parking shall not be allowed in the required waterfront buffer areas.
D. If located in the side yard or waterward side of a structure, loading areas shall be screened from view of pedestrians on either side of the waterway. The visual screen shall be composed of a fence or wall with trees and shrubs consistent with city landscape standards.
E. New transportation infrastructure such as streets, street expansions or railroads shall not be built within shoreline jurisdiction unless other locations are not feasible and/or costs would be disproportionate and unreasonable to the total long-term cost of the development. For the purposes of this section, “disproportionate and unreasonable” means the alternative locations would add more than 20 percent to the total project cost.1
F. When transportation infrastructure is unavoidable in the shoreline jurisdiction, proposed transportation facilities shall be planned, located, and designed to achieve the following:
1. Meet mitigation sequencing provisions of BMC 13.09.020;
2. Avoid adverse impacts on existing or planned water-oriented uses; and
3. Set back from the OHWM to allow for a usable shoreline area for vegetation conservation and planned shoreline uses unless infeasible.
G. New motorized transportation facilities within shoreline jurisdiction shall be designed to minimize grading, vegetation clearing, and alterations of the natural topography. Permit applications shall contain best management practices for preventing erosion and degradation of surface water quality.
H. When water crossing is determined to be a necessity, transportation facilities shall cross the shoreline jurisdiction by the shortest and most direct route feasible. This requirement shall only be waived when such a route would cause more disruption or damage to the environment than a less direct one.
I. Bridge supports and abutments shall be designed consistent with flood hazard regulations in BMC 13.09.060, and shall avoid interrupting stream channel processes.
J. Shoreline crossings and culverts shall be designed to minimize adverse impact to riparian and aquatic habitat and shall allow for fish passage.
K. Trails shall be designed consistent with public access requirements in BMC 13.09.050, Public access. (Ord. 2112 § 3 (Exh. C), 2013).