thurston county comprehensive plan update · 2019-04-15 · scenc i veiws natura vl stai s...
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THURSTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATEPLANNING COMMISSION – FEBRUARY 6, 2019
Chapter 10 – Archaeological & Historic Resources
Follow-Up Work Session
VIEWS, VISTAS, VIEWSHEDS
“A viewshed is the area visible from a point, a line, or a specific locality. It is the visual equivalent of a watershed. Often defined as the landscape visible from a specific point.”
American Planning Association (Frederick R. Steiner)
Example: View of Capitol Building from Capitol Lake
Viewshed ElementsSource: Planning and Urban Design Standards (APA)
WHY IMPORTANT
Highly valued community resource
Contribute to rural character
Enhance property values
Economic value
Tourism
Recreation
Community Identity
Rural ViewshedSource: Planning and Urban Design Standards (APA)
GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT: PLANNING GOAL
• Historic preservation. Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures, that have historical or archaeological significance.
- 36.70A.020(13) RCW
Proposed New Policy: 10-B-5. The county should identify and protect significant views in the county.
Is this a policy we want Thurston County to pursue?
WHERE DID THE POLICY COME FROM?
• Some Washington jurisdictions have included policies on identifying and protecting significant views. Often, these scenic views are tied to the concept of rural character and cultural and economic value.
Jurisdictions:
Snohomish County
Pierce County
King County
Spokane County
Skagit County
And more!
Related Terms for Significant Views:
Visual Corridors
Scenic Views
Natural Vistas
Viewsheds
Viewscapes
Territorial Views
Scenic Resources
Tenino Comp Plan
Land Use Chapter
Emphasize the natural character of Tenino through the showcasing of existing natural amenities, the preservation of views, and the retention of the appearance of the surrounding natural lands, including treed hillsides.
Natural Resources Chapter
Goal NR 13: Tenino’s scenic hillsides are protected.
OTHER POLICY EXAMPLES
Pierce CountyProvide leadership for the planning, coordination and conservation of open space corridors that include unique environmental systems and scenic vistas on a countywide basisMinimize the obstruction of territorial views and scenic vistas.
King County The natural topography of King County provides numerous scenic vistas of the shoreline. King County should ensure that development occurring both within and outside the shorelines of the state avoids impacts on scenic vistas and protects view corridors...Building and landscape design that respects the aesthetic qualities and character of the Rural Area, and provides substantial buffering from the adjoining uses and scenic vistasIn-water structures shall provide for the protection and preservation of… and natural scenic vistas.
Spokane CountyDesignate aesthetic corridors along major transportation routes to provide a positive image of the Spokane Region.Identify and protect important natural or cultural viewscapes through a viewscape ordinance, signage limits or other programs.
FINDINGS
How to track significant views? Significant views can be enumerated in code
Significant views can be specific in Comp Plan
Who determines significant view? Committees (Historic, Advisory View Team…)
Nominations to code or Comp Plan
Public participation
Public participation? Compliant with GMA (36.70A.035)
How to protect? In WA, often deferred to consideration during
project reviews and the design review process.
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PROTECTING VIEWS AT THE PROJECT REVIEW LEVEL
Ecology SEPA checklist includes AESTHETICS Tallest height of proposed
structures? Views in immediate vicinity blocked
or altered? Proposed measures to reduce or
control aesthetic impacts
Ecology SEPA checklist includes LIGHT AND GLARE Type of light or glare produced?
When? Safety hazard or interfere with
views? Proposed measures to reduce or
control light and glare impacts
WAC 197-11-960
SEATTLE – PROJECT REVIEW LEVEL
Seattle Municipal Code
Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Code
Protect Public Views TO Landmarks / Natural Features
Protection of views FROM designated viewpoints
Viewpoint – parks (some microparks) under P&R
Viewpoint Advisory Team
Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 25.05.675.P
Environmental review policies for public protection
SMC 23.49.024
View corridors protected through upper-level building setbacks
Space Needle can condition projects from enumerated view listHamilton Viewpoint ParkSource: Seattle Parks and Recreation
GIG HARBOR –PROJECT REVIEW LEVEL Comprehensive Plan Goals & Policies
4.4.1. Identify Significant Views.
4.4.2. Preserve Corner lots and view termination points.
4.4.3. Designate enhancement zones.
4.4.4. Cluster green spaces
Design Standards
Prominent Parcels
Unique Design Standards
Design Review Considerations
Neighborhood Context places more rigorous review on projects located in visually sensitive areas.
OLYMPIA – PROJECT REVIEW LEVEL
Downtown Strategy Viewshed Analysis & Public Process Downtown Strategy Workshop #1
(11/21/15) had participants prioritize certain viewsheds (only those with observation points within the downtown)
Defined in 18.02 Scenic Vistas.
Easements, Scenic
View Corridor
Land Use Chapter, Goal #8: Community views are protected, preserved, and enhanced.
PL8.1: Implement public processes, including the use of digital simulation software, to identify important landmark views and observation points.
PL8.2: Use visualization tools to identify view planes and sightline heights between the landmark view and observation point.
PL8.4: Avoid height bonuses and incentives that interfere with landmark views.
PL8.5: Set absolute maximum building heights to preserve publicly-identified observation points and landmark views.
AUSTIN, TX – HARD OVERLAY
Capitol View Corridors
Strict Controls
Downtown development most strictly controlled by height limits of view corridors.
Any other regulation has potential to be changed, waived, exempted, excepted or grandfathered.
Capitol view corridors represent a height above sea level which cannot be exceeded.
Move forward
Capitol View Corridor (CVC) Overlay District Regulations
Appendix A: Each corridor defined by two lines with enumerated elevation and start/end GPS coordinates.
Development in each corridor cannot exceed the height of the “plane”.
Capitol View Corridor MapSource: Preservation Austin
DENVER, CO – HARD OVERLAY
Municipal Code, Chapter 10 – Buildings and Building Regulations Article IV. Restrictions on Structures Within Areas
Necessary to Preserve Mountain Views
Purpose / City Property / Prohibitions
Specific Sections Per Point
Adoption of Map
Limitations on Construction
Reference Point
Cannot exceed elevation calculations
Rise over run transition
Questions?
Contact:
Allison Osterberg, Senior [email protected]
Ian Lefcourte, Associate [email protected]
Project Updates and Draft Documentswww.Thurston2040.com