Opinion ID: 2600501
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: LCC 17.30.490(3)(b) and (g): Maximum Density and Minimum Lot Area (forest land)

Text: ¶ 64 LCC 17.30.490(3) provides: Subdivision as an Incidental Use. A residential subdivision of land for sale or lease within primary or local forest lands, whether lots are over or under five acres in size, may be approved under the following circumstances. (a) The total density, including existing dwellings, is not greater than one unit per 80 acres, for forest land of long-term commercial importance, and that one unit per 20 acres for forest lands of local importance. (b) The units are clustered on lot sizes consistent with Lewis County board of health rules for wells and septic. (c) Adequate water and provisions for septic are in fact present. (d) The project affects none of the prime soils on the contiguous holdings at the time of the adoption of this chapter, including all roads and accessory uses to serve the development; however, that prime lands previously converted to non-forestry uses are not considered prime forest lands for purposes of this section. (e) The plat shall set aside the balance of the parcel in a designated forest tract. (f) The plat shall contain the covenants in LCC 17.30.540. (g) Any subdivision shall meet the cluster subdivision requirements of LCC 17.115.030(10) [8] ¶ 65 The Board found subsections (b) and (g) noncompliant and invalid. CP at 48. The Board stated that [l]imitations on clustering are needed to ensure that residential subdivisions will not interfere with forestry activities. CP at 46. However, the section contains many limitations designed to protect forest activitiesno prime soils may be affected, water provisions must be in place, and clustering restrictions contained in LCC 17.115.030(10). These limitations are sufficient to fulfill the GMA requirement of conserving forest land. Thus, the challenged sections are compliant and valid.