Minutes
Land Use & Natural Resources Committee Meeting - July 19, 2000
7:30 pm McMurray School Library

Please note that we will not have an August meeting. 
Land Use Committee attendees:, Dan Carlson, Enid Dolstad, John Gerstle(Chrm), 
Doug Hoffman, Joel Kuperberg, Lorin Reinelt, Carol Salkind, Mark Salkind, and 
David Koperski from KC Dept of Public Health

Surface & Groundwater Management Program
 Katy Vanderpool called to say that the KC Council still has not voted on 
the Program, but that she would be working informally with people on Vashon 
to solicit input. Loren said that the Capital Improvement Program which was 
to have used unspent salary funds will not be addressed by the Council before 
September. Meanwhile the SWM fee structure is still being reviewed. 

Septic Systems
 David Koperski, who has been doing the septic system permits on Vashon 
for the past 10 months, said that there has been a new code in place since 
April 1999. (King County On Site Sewage Code Title XIX, Code of the K.C. 
Board of Health, effective 4/19/99). The fundamentals of septic approval are 
still horizontal distance from shorelines, streams or wells, and vertical 
separation from the high water table ( measured in January-March) together 
with soil conditions. Applicants need 18 inches of soil depth for under 5 
acres, and 12 inches for over 5 acres. Three feet of good soil will ensure 
good treatment. 
 In the past only mounds or sand filter designs were available, but now 
new septic systems have been approved by the State ( which has first approval 
responsibility). One is the Glendon Biofilter, a proprietary design that 
tries toget rid of fecal coliforms, in any treatment aspect to the septic 
system. It is easier to install and costs about $17,000. Another is an 
aerobic system, called Whitewater Systems. Both the Glendon and the 
Whitewater system (if tied into the UV disinfection unit) meet the Dept of 
Health (DOH) guidelines for treatment standard 1,which is a major aspect to 
any marine shoreline repair.
 Both new systems require more maintenance ( usually every 6 months) 
unlike conventional gravity systems. The Whitewater System needs the UV bulbs 
to be changed once a year. These require electrical power, but as Doug 
pointed out, rougly 80% of our septic systems require pumps. 
 David said that as a general rule, if people propose the best septic 
system to repair a failing system they can for their site, he will approve 
the permit. Approval generally cannot be given for burned out houses. but 
these are always reviewed on a case by case basis.In general these would need 
to meet current code requirements for new construction (fully conforming 
septic system). Also, he cannot guarantee that any and all failing systems 
will be approved if they are maximizing site and soil conditions. Sometimes 
there are well issues that may be factored in the decision making process.
 A major issue is marine shore repairs. Generally, more and more treatment 
is needed as the shoreline gets closer. Requirement for treatment standards 
(level of fecal coliform removal) increases with increasing proximity to the 
shoreline and/or with shallower soils.
 Loren and others pointed out that there are no incentives to upgrade 
substandard or mal-functioning systems. David said that K.C. Housing has low 
and no interest loans of up to $13,500 for those who qualify ( depends on 
family income and size). One incentive is that , upon sale of the house, the 
lender may require a septic inspection. But very often, buyers only do a pump 
test which will not detect a failing septic system if the system has not been 
used in a couple of months. 
 Loren asked if a combined septic system for 2 homes would be approved. 
David said that if the second home met the conditions of an accessory 
dwelling ( no kitchen and less than 1000 sq feet) it could be. Temporary 
hookups are allowed for mobile homes for medical emergencies. 
 David can be reached at 206-296-4919 and by email at 
David.Koperski@metrokc.gov. If Dave is not available, contact Paul Robinson 
at 206-296-9734.

Maury Regional Park
 Dan said that the Master Plan has been submitted to the KC Council with 
no major changes other than reducing the new road width to 28 ft from 32 ft. 
The Park and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Larry Phillips is looking 
at the Plan but has not yet scheduled a formal meeting. The new project 
manager, Robert Foxworthy, has contacted Dan and understands our issues. The 
major concern is that the Council seems determined to make all parks 
publically accessible by road. 
 Dan is lobbying on the basis that major parks like Lincoln Park have 
restricted road access to the beach and that a costly, overbuilt new road is 
inappropriate for Phase I. Dan said that KC should be providing managed 
access on the existing roadway which can be upgraded to forest service or 
Oregon Transportation & Park standards (1 lane with pull-outs) to serve 
different user groups and that we should have an on-site caretaker in Phase 
I. Dan commented that the road issue does not appear as compelling an issue 
as protection of the Park for Greg Nickels. 

Trail Corridors Ordnance
Tom Fitzpatrick sent an email saying that there was not much to report in 
terms of definite decisions.The most current version of the proposed new
equestrian policy-text amendment to the King Co Comp Plan is:
bKing County recognizes the contributions of equestrian livestock husbandry, 
training, competition and recreation activities to the overall rural quality 
of life in King County. As growth occurs, open land to sustain livestock and 
existing or potential trail segments may be lost to uncoordinated land 
development and road improvements. Also, ESA requirements may limit 
livestock management choices and the location of new equestrian facilities on 
land constrained by large riparian corridors.b
 bThe Equestrian Community designation in the Non-Motorized Transportation
> Plan is based on the presence of some or all these factors in portions of 
KC's Rural Areas:
 a. Proximity to a regional-level trail, designated by the State of 
Washington, King County or a city, that is accessible to horses;
 b. Significant tracts of land on which horseback riding is formally 
sanctioned or to which equestrian access traditionally has been granted;
 c. Concentrations of residential lots or acreages on which horses are 
kept;
 d. Commercial or noncommercial stables, riding schools and arenas;
 e.Supporting industries including but not limited to tack shops, feed 
stores or veterinarians; and 
 f. Riding or homeowner associations that promote equestrian activities.
 While equestrian uses are permitted throughout the Rural Area, the 
"Equestrian Community" designation Communities" map identifies those areas 
where continued equestrian uses are particularly supported and provides a way 
for rural communities and the county to coordinate various actions to help 
equestrian activities remain sustainable in KC.
 R-107 ((R-104A)) King County shall support the identified Equestrian 
Communities in the Rural Area by providing facilities on King County 
rights-of-way to accommodate horse travel, and by maintaining equestrian 
links, such as including multiple-use trails, where appropriate, and by 
adoption of supportive land use regulations for use of these areas for 
horse-keeping. King County will work with local communities to identify and 
protect multiple use trails in the identified Equestrian Communities that 
support horse travel within the Rural Area. 
 R-108 ((R-104B)) The Equestrian Community designation adopted in the 
King County Non-Motorized Transportation Plan indicates Rural Areas where 
there is a need to preserve sustainable livestock management, establish 
non-motorized transportation and recreational trail opportunities and guide 
public investments in street and trail improvements. Implementing measures 
should include development standards to protect or replace existing local 
trails for equestrians and other non-motorized users as development occurs, 
amendments to the King County Road Design Standards to accommodate equestrian 
travel within rights-of-way, capital improvement programs for transportation 
and park facilities, and creation of park and trail construction standards 
and management policies.
 Soft-surface multiple-use trails in corridors separate from road 
rights-of-way are the preferred option for equestrian travel for safety 
reasons and to avoid conflicts with residential activities associated with 
the street. Existing off-road trails should be preserved during site
development, with relocation as appropriate to accommodate development while 
maintaining trail connections. The King County Road Design Standards shall be 
revised to accommodate safe equestrian travel within road rights-of-way. 
Where appropriate, capital improvement programs for transportation and park 
facilities shall also enable the use of new facilities by equestrians. 
Construction standards for multiple-use non-motorized trails to be 
established in road rights-of-way within identified Equestrian Communities 
shall assure a minimum eight-foot-wide gravel shoulder, or provide a trail 
separated from the driving lanes by a ditch or other barrier. Construction 
standards for soft-surface multiple-use non-motorized trails in corridors 
separate from road rights-of-way shall be consistent with current trail 
construction and maintenance practices as promulgated by the U.S. Forest 
Service. 
 R-108 A ((R-104B)) King County's land use regulations shall protect 
equestrian uses throughout the Rural area by supporting preservation of 
equestrian trail links in identified Equestrian Communities, protection of 
livestock from intrusions from residential development, and encouraging 
subdivision layouts that preserve opportunities for keeping of horses. 
Representatives of the equestrian community shall review and monitor 
regulatory and programmatic actions by King County, such as rural area 
development regulations, that have the potential to affect equestrian uses.
 R-108 B Equestrian trails should be recognized as "linear parks" for 
purposes of the county's Public Benefit Rating System.
 R-108 C County departments negotiating trades or sales of county land 
shall determine whether any historically established trails exist on the 
property, and assure that those trails are retained or replaced to assure 
that key linkages to regional systems are not lost as a condition of the 
trade or sale. b
Tom also said that there are dualing versions of the Zoning Code changes that 
would implement these policies; the biggest issues seem to be that the 
Executive branch wants to name road rights-of-way as the preferred location 
for equestrian trails rather than trails separated from roads, which is 
contrary from this policy language and from the preferences of the 
equestrians. The full council may hold hearing starting about Sept 5. Call 
Tom (296-7125) or Michele McFadden (council staff, 296-1677) if you have any 
questions.
Next Land Use Comm. Meeting - Sept 20, same location