Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review

Project Overview

University Place has undertaken a periodic review of its Shoreline Master Program (SMP), as required by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA), RCW 90.58.080(4).

The SMA requires each SMP be reviewed, and revised if needed, on an eight-year schedule established by the Legislature. This schedule directs Pierce, King and Snohomish counties, and the municipalities within these counties, to complete their periodic reviews, and adopt amendments if warranted, no later than June 30, 2019.

The review ensures the SMP stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other University Place plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information and improved data.

University Place’s SMP is used as a planning document that sets policy and regulation for the City’s shoreline areas, including adjacent upland areas within 200 feet of designated shorelines and associated wetlands and floodplain areas. These areas include approximately 5.9 miles of marine (Puget Sound) shoreline and 2.65 miles of Chambers Creek shoreline. The shoreline planning area encompasses approximately 314 acres.

Public Participation

University Place recognizes that effective and thorough public participation is critical to a successful SMP that fits within the framework of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The City is committed to an effective public participation process that includes property owners, the general public, state agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, the Tribes and special interest groups.

A Public Participation Plan (PDF) has been prepared to identify opportunities for public participation throughout the SMP periodic review process. The plan is designed to solicit early and continuous feedback from stakeholder groups as well as the University Place community to inform the decision-making process.

The Public Participation Plan identifies specific goals, projected meeting dates and timelines for public comment, and key agency and public group outreach.

The Planning Commission held an Open House on Wednesday, April 18, 2018  where citizens were able to learn about the City's SMP, the Periodic Review process and proposed amendments to the SMP.

Optional Joint Review Process – Comment Period & Public Hearing

The City of University Place has elected to use an optional joint review process that combines the local and state public comment periods required by RCW 90.58.090.  This review process has included a joint Planning Commission/Department of Ecology public hearing held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 and a combined comment period that ran from May 4 through June 6, 2018.

After considering public comment, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of amendments to the SMP.

The City Council held a public hearing on July 16, 2018 to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations and solicit additional comment from the public. Comments were accepted in writing to the City Clerk, by email or in person during the Public Hearing noted above. Council voted unanimously to approve the SMP amendments at its July 16th meeting pursuant to Ordinance No. 703.

More Information

Check out the Shoreline Master Program Comprehensive Update. This is the most recent Comprehensive Update to the City's SMP completed in 2015.