SMP Update 2023

Updated October 10, 2023

What is a Shoreline Master Program?

The City of Long Beach Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a set of policies and regulations required by state law that has three basic principles:

  • Encourages reasonable and appropriate development of shorelines with an emphasis on water dependent uses;
  • Protects the natural resources and character of the shorelines, the land, vegetation, wildlife, water, and aquatic life within shoreline environment; and,
  • Promotes public access and provides opportunities to enjoy the aesthetic qualities of the natural shorelines and recreational activities in shoreline areas.

Link to the City of Long Beach 2017 Shoreline Master Program

Where does the Shoreline Master Program apply?

The jurisdiction of the SMP applies to the following areas located between the northern and southern city limit boundaries:

  • The narrow band of land beach feet from the ocean’s ordinary high water mark
  • The Pacific Ocean three nautical miles west of the ordinary high water mark
  • The aquatic areas within tidally-influenced wetlands in the dunes

Link to the Shoreline Jurisdiction Map

The city will be pursuing an amendment in late 2023. The only proposed change is to allow residential use by conditional use permit within the regulated areas. 

Draft Amendments 

Public Participation 

City’s guide the public participation process. 

DNS & SEPA – Public Notice 

Long Beach Shoreline Master Program Amendment

Joint Public Comment Period: October 18 – November 17, 2023, at 5:00 pm

Joint Public Hearing:  November 14, 2023, at 6:00 pm

 

The City of Long Beach (City) and Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) are seeking comments on proposed amendments to the Long Beach Shoreline Master Program (SMP) periodic review amendment. The City has prepared draft amendments addressing the following topic: 1) Allowing residential uses in shoreline jurisdiction with the approval of a conditional use permit. The City has elected to use the optional joint review process to combine the local and Ecology comment periods, as allowed under WAC 173-26-104. No additional comment period will occur during the state review process.  Comments provided to the City will be reviewed by both the City and Ecology; duplicates are not necessary.

 

Comments may be submitted by email to: ASmith@longbeachwa.gov

 

Or by mail to: 

City of Long Beach

Attn: Ariel Smith

PO Box 310, Long Beach, WA 98631

 

Comments are due by November 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Comments can also be made during the Public Hearing noted below.

Joint Public Hearing with Long Beach Planning Commission will be held in-person at Long Beach City Hall, 115 Bolstad Avenue W, Long Beach, WA 98631 on November 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Online attendance and remote livestream will be available via a zoom link which will be provided on the meeting agenda and posted online. Zoom Meeting ID: 873 5131 2313  Passcode: 12345678.

Documents available for review will be posted on the City’s project page at:

https://longbeachwa.gov/smp-update-2023/

At the conclusion of the comment period, the City will prepare a response to comments and determine whether changes are needed. Public comments and City responses will be shared with Ecology. After local adoption, the SMP amendment will be formally submitted to Ecology for final decision per WAC 173-26-104 and WAC 173-26-110. Ecology will review amendments for consistency with state laws and rules and decide whether to approve the program as adopted or recommend changes.

 

If you have questions for Ecology, contact Heather Bush, Regional Shoreline Planner, at (425) 417-6982.

ADA accommodation: 360-407-6831        Relay Service: 711            TTY: 877-833-6341

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review

Shoreline Master Program (SMP) Periodic Review

Adopted April 18, 2023 Final SMP 

Updated March 29, 2022

What is a Shoreline Master Program?

The City of Long Beach Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a set of policies and regulations required by state law that has three basic principles:

  • Encourages reasonable and appropriate development of shorelines with an emphasis on water dependent uses;
  • Protects the natural resources and character of the shorelines, the land, vegetation, wildlife, water, and aquatic life within shoreline environment; and,
  • Promotes public access and provides opportunities to enjoy the aesthetic qualities of the natural shorelines and recreational activities in shoreline areas.

Link to the City of Long Beach 2017 Shoreline Master Program

Where does the Shoreline Master Program apply?

The jurisdiction of the SMP applies to the following areas located between the northern and southern city limit boundaries:

  • The narrow band of land beach feet from the ocean’s ordinary high water mark
  • The Pacific Ocean three nautical miles west of the ordinary high water mark
  • The aquatic areas within tidally-influenced wetlands in the dunes

Link to the Shoreline Jurisdiction Map

These three areas are very limited in size.  In fact, there have been no development permits issued within shoreline jurisdiction since the city’s 2017 adoption of its SMP. 

Required Periodic Review

The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) requires the city to review, and revise if necessary, its SMP on an eight-year schedule under state law (RCW 90.58.080).  This review ensures the SMP stays current with changes with state laws and rules, remains consistent with other city plans and development regulations, and reflects changed circumstances, new information, or improved data.

While most of the updates required by the state during this periodic review are relatively minor, the new Ocean Resource Management Act (ORMA) requirements represent the biggest change to the city’s SMP.  You can learn more about Washington State’s Ocean Management program by visiting the Department of Ecology’s web page.

Link to the Department of Ecology’s Ocean Management Program

New Draft SMP Ready for Public Review

The Long Beach Planning Commission recently released a draft document for public review that includes all required Washington State laws and rules.  Included with the draft SMP are two checklists – one for the Ocean Management rule changes and another that covers all other laws and rules that now need to be in the SMP.  These checklists are handy for pinpointing where you can find these changes in the new draft.  The Draft SMP below is in Track Changes format so you can see all changes in the document.

Link to revised LBSMP Draft 03-22-22

Link to LB Ocean Mgt Checklist 12-06-21

Link to LB PRChecklist 03-29-22

Link to Staff Report for the January 11, 2022 Hearing 

NOTE:  Please remember that the SMP adopts by reference the city’s Critical Areas Regulations, Title 13 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.  These regulations apply to critical areas both within and outside shoreline jurisdiction to help protect and restore shoreline ecological functions.  You will find the Critical Areas Regulations adoption by reference under the Section 2.5.4.

For example, if you want to know how the SMP protects and manages the city’s dune areas within the shoreline environment, you will consult LBMC 13-6-3, Performance Standards in frequently flooded areas and LBMC 13-8-5, Performance Standards in Erosion Hazard Areas. 

Submitting Comments and Public Hearing on SMP Draft

The City of Long Beach Planning Commission is now seeking public comment on the Draft SMP.  You may submit comments on the Draft SMP from now until 5:00 PM, January 21, 2022.  Please send your comments to the City Planner at City of Long Beach, PO Box 310, 115 Bolstad Avenue W, Long Beach, WA 98631 or planner@longbeachwa.gov.

In addition, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Draft SMP via Zoom beginning at 6:00 PM, January 11, 2022.  Zoom Meeting ID: 899 7194 8601 and Password: 12345678

There will be a presentation by the city followed by an opportunity for those in attendance to share their comments on the draft.  Interested parties may continue to provide comments to the Planning Commission until the close of the comment period on January 21, 2022.

Next Steps

  1. After conclusion of public comment period on January 21, 2022, the Planning Commission will meet on March 8, 2022 to consider all comment received, including those from the Department of Ecology and other state agencies. The Planning Commission will consider any proposed changes to the Draft SMP and then make a recommendation to the City Council regarding any action.
  2. Before the draft SMP goes before the City Council, the city will submit the document to the Department of Ecology for the Initial Determination of Consistency. This allows the department to conduct a formal review of the document for consistency with all state laws and rules.  The department may make recommendations for changes or simply state approve its consistency.  Any substantive changes may require the draft SMP go back before the Planning Commission for consideration and recommendation. 
  3. Once the Department of Ecology and the city are satisfied with the Draft SMP, it will then go before the City Council for adoption. This may occur sometime in April or early May.  Upon adoption, the city then forwards the SMP and all related materials to the department for their final approval. 

Please visit this site often as there maybe updates to schedules and draft documents.

For more information:

Please contact Ariel Smith, City Planner, planner@longbeachwa.gov or (360) 642-4421

Small Works Rosters

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Long Beach is transitioning our Small Works Rosters

Effective immediately, Long Beach is transitioning our Small Public Works Roster and Consultant Roster to the MRSC Rosters shared online database. To continue being eligible to work on projects using a roster process, please register for FREE at www.mrscrosters.org and select Long Beach in your account. Previously submitted applications cannot be transferred, so you must re-apply.

For registration questions, please contact MRSC Rosters at mrscrosters@mrsc.org or 206-625-1300. If you have questions about Long Beach projects, contact us directly at e-mail address: finance@longbeachwa.gov or (360) 642-4421.

Thank You City of Long Beach!