Vote the EARTH - March 28th - Turn the Lights OFF

NOAA Seeking "Shovel-Ready" Habitat Restoration Proposals

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking proposals for coastal habitat restoration projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in an unprecedented effort to jumpstart the economy, create and save several thousand jobs, and restore valuable coastal and marine habitat for fish, birds and other animals.

NOAA is formally seeking proposals for a variety of habitat restoration projects - including wetlands restoration, removal of unsafe, obsolete dams, construction of fish passages, oyster and other shellfish restoration and coral reef restoration. To ensure relevance, readiness and accountability to the American public, the 30-day solicitation requires that projects be "shovel-ready." Proposals are due by April 6, 2009. Typical investments by NOAA are expected to range between $1.5 million to $10 million per project; applications will be accepted for projects ranging from $500,000 up to $20 million.

For more information about this federal funding opportunity, please visit the NOAA habitat recovery website: http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/recovery or contact Jennifer Steger, Northwest and Alaska Regional Supervisor for the Restoration Center 206.526.4363, Jennifer.Steger@noaa.gov.

ECO FootPrint

Super Brown Bag Lunch attended by 25 folks from around Snohomish County. If you missed this and want to know how to calculate your footprint, let us know.

LEED User Group Mtg March 18

You won't want to miss this!

Dave Bennink from Re-Use Consulting will talk about the latest technology in deconstructing buildings. This can get you LEED credits for construction recycling, salvage/re-use and possibly innovation.

Dave will share techniques for deconstructing buildings faster, and cheaper! How this can provide jobs in our tough economy, and how deconstructing buildings can help narrow the gap toward sustainability!

When: Wednesday March 18, 11:45 - 1:15 presentation
Where: PUD in downtown Everett

Scott Schreffler, LEED AP
project designer

What"s Your Carbon Foot Print?

Plan to attend the FREE Brown Bag Lunch at the SnoPUD Headquarters in Everett, WA.

Learn more about Carbon Footprints

click the link below


http://community.icontact.com/p/httpsustainablesnohomishblogspotcom/newsletters/brownbaglunch/posts/sdtf-brown-bag-lunch-march-11-2009

Green Drinks goes to Edmonds in March 2009

Green Drinks of Snohomish County will be Sponsored by Sustainable Edmonds for the month of March. Plan to carpool with friends and co-workers to A Very Taki Tiki Bar and Grill. March 10th from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

Let's talk GREEN and make a difference!

click here for more information and directions

Snohomish County Adopt New Development Regulations

Snohomish County Council Adopt New Development Regulations Urban Residential Design Standards The Snohomish County Council on January 21, 2009 approved Ordinance 08-101 relating to new Urban Residential Design Standards.

The ordinance will go into effect on April 21, 2009. This ordinance adds new architectural standards for all forms of residential development located in unincorporated UGAs. Highlights include:

• New regulations to improve the exterior appearance of residential dwellings (Single family, duplex, townhouses and multiple family buildings) including garages through a menu of design options


• New regulations to preserve significant trees in perimeter landscaping and critical areas and buffers


• New regulations to replace significant trees when they are cut down


• New regulations to require street trees in residential developments


• New regulations to address compatibility of new development with existing residences


• Greater flexibility in using alleys and auto courts in all forms of residential development


• Changes to the way building height is calculated


• Increased building height in single family and multiple family residential zones


• New regulations to allow cottage housing


• Requirement that all new residential developments provide on-site recreation space


• Administrative review of architectural design standards through an administrative site plan


• Flexibility built into the review process to allow a continuation of the on-line building permits


• Improved pedestrian connections within residential developments


• Increase in director discretionary authority


• New “Design Manual” to illustrate architectural, landscaping and street standards (user friendly with pictures and illustrations)


• A new perimeter landscaping table in SCC 30.25


• A new SCC 30.24 which consolidates roads standard previously located in (SCC 30.41A and 41B and other code chapters)


• Changes to the use matrix related to townhouses and cottage housing


• A new bulk matrix for residential zones including new setbacks for upper stories of residential dwellings


• New EDDS standards for urban roads (Ordinance 08-101)

Rural Cluster Subdivisions The Snohomish County Council on February 4, 2009 approved Ordinance 08-087 relating to Rural Cluster Subdivision. The ordinance will go into effect on April 5, 2009. Highlights include:

• New landscaping standards for perimeter buffers and buffers between clusters


• Reduction in the number of lots in a cluster from 30 to 13


• Increasing the width of setback buffers along roads from 50 to 100 feet (200 feet if the site is meadow or pasture)


• Requires a minimum 50 foot buffer on site boundaries not abutting a road


• Increases the width of buffers between clusters from 50 to 200 feet


• Increases the setback for dwellings adjacent to farmland from 50 to 100 feet


• Retention of 50 percent of the tree canopy is preferred


• Requires use of low impact development techniques


• Makes lot yield and density bonus calculations for properties designated Rural Residential (1 du/5 ac Basic) in the comprehensive plan the same as those designated Rural Residential-5. (Ordinance 08-087 )
  
  
  For more information or to sign up for monthly or quarterly e-mail notices and news about specific issues pertaining to the Update Project, visit the UDC Update web page or call the UDC Planning and Development reception at 425-388-3311 ext. 2203 to be directed to a project team member.