THURSTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY

THURSTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE PLANNING 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 Elements Source: 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 Viewshed Source: 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. 70 A. 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 County Provide leadership for the planning, coordination and conservation of open space corridors that include unique environmental systems and scenic vistas on a countywide basis Minimize 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 vistas In-water structures shall provide for the protection and preservation of… and natural scenic vistas. Spokane County Designate 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 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? Compliant with GMA (36. 70 A. 035) How to protect? In WA, often deferred to consideration during project reviews and the design review process. Bush Butternut Tree Source: Bush Prairie Farm Proposed Development View Impact Source: Gensler and EA How to track significant views?

PROTECTING VIEWS AT THE PROJECT REVIEW LEVEL § Ecology SEPA checklist includes AESTHETICS LIGHT AND GLARE § Tallest height of proposed § Type of light or glare produced? structures? § Views in immediate vicinity blocked or altered? § Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts 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 list Hamilton Viewpoint Park Source: 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. § PL 8. 1: Implement public processes, including the use of digital simulation software, to identify important landmark views and observation points. § PL 8. 2: Use visualization tools to identify view planes and sightline heights between the landmark view and observation point. § PL 8. 4: Avoid height bonuses and incentives that interfere with landmark views. § PL 8. 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 Map Source: 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 Planner allison. osterberg@co. thurston. wa. us 360 -867 -2102 Ian Lefcourte, Associate Planner Ian. Lefcourte@co. thurston. wa. us 360 -786 -5505 Project Updates and Draft Documents www. Thurston 2040. com