Learn More About Proposed Shoreline Restoration Plans at UP Town Hall Open House

Whether you’re a Day Island resident, local business owner or just someone who cares deeply about the local environment, an upcoming open house is scheduled to informally address questions and concerns surrounding the University Place Draft Shoreline Master Plan (SMP).

The open house is hosted by the UP Planning Commission and gives citizens the opportunity to learn about the Draft SMP and related Comprehensive Plan and zoning code amendments currently proposed.

View the Open House flyer on the City of UP website. 

Cities that contain shorelines are required to update their Shoreline Master Plans periodically, under state law. When University Place incorporated in 1995, it adopted the Pierce County SMP, but the proposed planning document will set new, UP-specific regulations for shoreline areas within city limits, which includes 5.9 miles of marine shoreline along the Puget Sound, and 2.65 miles along the Chambers Creek shoreline, encompassing about 314 acres.

Habitat restoration along Chambers Creek and Day Island is critical, according to the draft plan. Impacts from the BNSF railroad and development on Day Island have significant environmental ramifications, the draft plan states. Improving water quality, restoring fish spawning habitats and stormwater management are imperative steps to improving Puget Sound habitat—removing impactful structures, setting firm building codes and creating a shoreline setback are all suggested in the draft plan.

Read the Unversity Place Draft Shoreline Master Program online. 

Stay tuned for a more in-depth look at city shoreline issues in upcoming features on University Place Patch.

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If You Go:

The Shoreline Master Program Update Open House is scheduled for March 20, 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at University Place Town Hall.

The SMP Public Hearing is scheduled for Weds., April 17, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the UP Town Hall. Residents are invited to submit written comments on these issues before the Public Hearing to be considered. 

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What do you think are the most critical issues affecting UP's shorelines today? How should the city address them? Tell us in the comments.