MODULE-6 Smart Growth Opportunities

Case Studies:
Overlay Protection Areas

Communities throughout Washington State are already using overlay zoning to restrict development in water sensitive and other ecologically critical protection areas.

Aquifer Sensitive Overlay District
Spokane County, Washington

Spokane County, Washington adopted an overlay zoning ordinance to restrict development in areas identified as Aquifer Sensitive Areas (ASAs). The zoning ordinance requires that all new development in ASAs be connected to existing sewer lines. If no sewer lines are available for the area, a five-acre minimum lot size is required and residents must connect to sewer lines once they are constructed.

Development in Spokane's resource sensitive areas, including wellheads and other water resources, is also managed by a Development Sensitive Overlay Zone (Section 11.19.255). This type of overlay zone is designed to encourage smart growth development in a way that has a low impact on areas identified as being critical to protect, according to the "City of Spokane Critical Areas Report".

Aquifer Sensitive Overlay District
City of Tumwater, Washington

Tumwater also uses an Aquifer Protection (AQP) overlay district to protect vulnerable aquifer recharge areas within the City, including its urban growth area. The AQP district protects water resources by better managing the use and handling of hazardous materials and placing additional restrictions on development in critical areas. In the event of a discrepancy with the underlying regulations, the overlay ordinance prevails.

next page - Low-Impact Development (LID)