Shorelines Board

The Shorelines Board was reconvened in Spring 2022 to address a limited scope of updates including:

• Update Shoreline Management regulations to reflect 2020 FEMA amendments for flood plains.
• Streamlining recommendations from storm water plan analysis.
• Buffer enhancement incentives – review current provisions allowing reduction of standard buffer width in exchange for buffer enhancement.
• Clarify shoreline variance requirements and process.

What's happening next?

In 2022, the Board held a study session in April and June, and a public hearing in July that was continued to September 12 and also to October 17, 2022 when recommendations to City Council were made. A final meeting was held on November 14, 2022 to approve previous meeting minutes and wrap up tasks until the next round of Shoreline Master Program amendments.

On October 10, 2023, City Council adopted the Shorelines Board recommendations with one amendment to retain the ability for buffer reductions with enhancements for new development on vacant parcels. The amendments were sent to the Washington State Department of Ecology for review and will become effective after their final approval and any changes they may require.

The next round of Shoreline Master Program updates will potentially be handled as part of the 2024 Imagine Bothell Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update or as part of the next Shoreline Master Program Updated which is projected to start in 2027.