SITE ANALYSIS LEVEL II PERMIT CLEARANCE

As of November 30, 2010 Skamania County is following a new permit clearance process (Site Analysis Level II) for all building, planning and environmental health permits.  This is a trial period where no application fee will be charged for the SALII process and data will be collected to determine if the process is helpful or needs to be modified further.  All permits must have a Site Analysis Level II (SALII) review for the property under development prior to acceptance of any development permits.  Parcels within the National Scenic Area (NSA) complete a joint NSA/SALII application that combines the SALII and NSA application process into one review.  SALII will determine planning issues such as if a legal lot determination is required, setbacks, zoning, etc… SALII permit clearance will also identify critical areas on the property such as wetlands, shorelines, stream setbacks, landslide hazard areas, etc… Having SALII completed prior to submital of development permits will allow future development hindrances to be clearly identified before development begins.

EXEMPTIONS

If one or more of the following apply, the project may be exempt from the SALII process. However, other permits may be required. It is asked of the applicant to inquire at the Community Development Department to determine if a project is exempt from SALII. If a project is exempt, the applicant must obtain a site plan with an exemption approval stamp from SCCDD and a letter of exemption that will be placed in the tax parcel file.

Within the National Scenic Area

• All uses that are outright allowed in the National Scenic Area (Section 22.10.040)
• Letter Amendments to existing/approved development (decisions issued before December 1, 2010)
• Development that has NSA approval (decisions issued before December 1, 2010) and that has not expired
• Post-Emergency/Disaster Response Development

Outside the National Scenic Area

• Utility permits that are within disturbed right-of-way
• Fences that do not require a building permit, and which are not located within a critical area, right-of-way, or other easement.
• Resource enhancement projects that meet the WDFW Fish Enhancement Exemption
• Forest Practices
• Maintenance and/or repair of an existing structure that does not increase the footprint.
• Building permits for mechanical, plumbing, or re-roofing.
• Geotech borings

SALII PERMIT CLEARANCE PROCESS

GENERAL PROCESS

1. To begin the SALII process, a complete application packet must be submitted (complete with signed application, Site Plan Checklist, complete site plan, and Intake Checklist).  For parcels within the National Scenic Area (NSA), complete the Combined NSA/SALII application.
2. Once the application is determined complete, the Planner will forward the application to necessary departments for a one working week review and comment period and agencies for a standard two week review and comment period.
3. During this time, the Planner will conduct a site visit to inspect the proposed project area.
4. Phase 1: A letter of Application & Report Requirements will be issued alerting the applicant to the necessary steps that must be taken for a project to be reviewed and approved. The Planner will indicate the order to which these reports and studies should be done, and submitted.
5. The applicant must submit the necessary reports and studies to SCCDD for review and approval.
6. If the project is within the National Scenic Area, review and approval must be granted before the applicant may continue to Phase 2 of the SALII process. Further, if the project requires a Critical Areas Variance, or other application to allow for the approval of the site plan, this must be done prior to Phase 2.
7. Phase 2: Once all necessary reports and studies are completed and approved, the applicant will then submit a finalized updated site plan. This site plan will be approved and is valid for five (5) years.
8. The applicant must submit the approved SALII site plan with all subsequent development permit applications.

VESTING

A SALII site plan approval is valid for five (5) years provided no significant on-site conditions have been humanly altered inconsistent with the SALII and/or changed due to natural events, and/or state, federal or county code changes that render the SALII invalid due to public health, safety or welfare issues.  National Scenic Area codes are not vested under SALII.

REVISION/ AMENDMENTS

A SALII may be revised and/or amended with “minor” changes, subject to approval by the Department. Should a subsequent building or septic permit application deviate from the applicable Building Area Envelope of the SALII site plan, the applicant shall submit a SALII Letter Amendment application explaining how the application meets the vested code requirements and the conclusions of any studies conducted under SALII. The applicant must submit an updated and complete site plan clearly showing and labeling the changed areas of the SALII site plan and submit this with the SALII Letter Amendment application. The Planner will determine if the amendment request is “major” and if a new SALII application is required.

Once a SALII Letter Amendment is approved, it remains valid for the five year period of original approval as listed above in the Vesting section.