14.15.090 Establishment of development permit.
(1) Development Permit Required. A development permit shall be obtained before development begins within any critical area or its buffer. A development permit will be issued as part of a buildings or shorelines permit as may be required by law. In cases where the development is exempt from either a building or shorelines permit, a development permit in the form of a letter will be used. No additional fee shall be charged for the issuance of a development permit under this chapter.
(2) Preapplication Process. Any person who considers that this chapter may apply to development of a particular property is encouraged to request a meeting with the town of Cathlamet public works department to discuss and receive preliminary comments on the potential effects of this chapter in advance of making a formal application for any permit. A preapplication meeting may include the following determinations:
(a) The actual presence or absence of a critical area based on maps, photographs, or other information, either supplied by the prospective applicant or by the department; and if a critical area is indicated, what options maybe available;
(b) The absence, presence or extent of a critical area based on a site inspection by department staff (e.g., by measuring slopes, or noting general land surface characteristics);
(c) Whether a site evaluation would be required to establish the absence, presence, or extent of a critical area; and/or
(d) Whether a special report would be required to determine if the regulations applicable to a known critical area can be met.
The purpose of a preapplication meeting is to provide a prospective applicant and the town of Cathlamet the opportunity to determine if and how the critical areas ordinance may apply, so that if desired, the scope and design of the proposal may be modified to reduce or avoid restrictions which may be imposed by this chapter. Since site information and proposal are typically incomplete at the preapplication stage, and that more specific site and proposal information is typically generated prior to making a formal application, preliminary determinations made through a preapplication meeting shall not be binding.
(3) Application for Development Permit. Application for a permit shall be made on forms furnished by the public works department. This chapter is not intended to create a separate permit process for development proposals. To the extent possible, the town of Cathlamet shall consolidate the review and processing of permits related to critical lands with other land use approvals. Applicants shall be required to submit a site plan drawn to scale with a north arrow and identifying known locations of critical areas, location of proposed structures, roads, water boundaries, if applicable, and activities including clearing, grading, and general topographic information. Applicants shall be required to provide such documentation, illustrations, maps, and accurate engineering data as the administrator may deem necessary to adequately appraise the development proposed, the potential impact on the environment of the critical area, and to ensure compliance with this chapter. (Ord. 433 § 9, 2002)