18S.40.130 Utilities.
The intent of the Utilities policies and regulations is to provide for present and future services and facilities that produce, convey, store, or process power, fuel, wastewater, communications, solid waste, and the like while minimizing conflicts with other permitted shoreline uses and development.
A. Applicability. This Section shall apply to utilities as a principal use that produce, convey, store and/or process water, electricity, gas, wastewater, solid waste, communications, and other utilities.
B. Policies.
1. Locate new public and private utilities inland from the land/water interface, preferably out of shorelines.
2. Consolidate utility facilities within existing rights-of-way wherever possible.
3. Allow non water-oriented utility production and processing facilities, or parts of those facilities within shorelines, only when there is no other feasible option.
4. Prohibit new solid waste disposal facilities or transfer facilities in shoreline areas except water-dependent solid waste transfer facilities which may be allowed in port or industrial areas.
5. Coordinate utility right-of-way acquisition and construction with transportation and recreation planning and also with other local government agencies and utility providers.
C. Regulations.
1. New solid waste disposal facilities or transfer facilities are prohibited in shoreline areas, except water-dependent solid waste transfer facilities may be allowed in port or industrial areas if they include a modern transfer system where all waste is either delivered to the site already containerized or waste is transferred to containers inside of an enclosed building.
2. Utilities should be underground, including underneath water bodies, unless such location would cause greater degradation to ecological functions or be technically prohibitive.
3. Appropriate measures shall be employed to protect public safety and prevent adverse impacts on navigation, public access, recreation and other approved shoreline development.
4. Parks, scenic views, and historic, archaeological and cultural resources shall be avoided unless no feasible alternative exists.
5. After construction, the work site shall be restored to the maximum extent possible.
6. Any mitigation required shall be maintained for the life of the project.
7. All normal utilities associated with a principal use shall be reviewed as part of the principal use.
8. Applicants shall demonstrate the need for a shoreline location, and if the utility is proposed outside of an existing right-of-way, why collocation within existing right-of-way is not feasible.