Critical Areas Videos

City staff in May 2011 provided training about working in and around critical areas to builders, environmental consultants and other professionals. The three-hour plus session was videotaped, and the video was separated into segments addressing specific topics. Viewers can look at the sections most applicable to them at a given time. However, to get the complete picture, the whole training should be viewed.

The seminar follows a natural progression, including what critical areas are and what the city needs from permit applicants working on sites with critical areas. The session concludes with a description of various public and private stewardship examples, meant to encourage creativity among consultants and the clients they serve.

If you, or your organization, are interested in attending a live presentation of the critical areas training, please contact the Land Use Division at landusereview@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-4188. 

Introduction by Michael Paine, Environmental Planning Manager (3:57)

Part 1 – Working with Critical Areas in Bellevue 

• Chapter 1 – Presenter and seminar introduction (7:05)
• Chapter 2 – What are critical areas? (8:30)
• Chapter 3 – Why protect critical areas? (2:55)
• Chapter 4 – How are critical areas protected? (4:38)

Part 2 – Identifying Critical Areas

• Chapter 1 – Additional resources are available (9:35)
• Chapter 2 – Site exploration (3:12)
• Chapter 3 – Stream identification (2:18) 
• Chapter 4 – Wetland identification (2:46)
• Chapter 5 – Habitat for species of Local Importance (1:50)
• Chapter 6 – Steep slope identification (10:00)
• Chapter 7 – Flood hazard identification (00:53)
• Chapter 8 – Hiring an environmental professional (2:36)

Part 3 – Documenting Critical Areas

• Chapter 1 – Creating a Vicinity Map (10:43)
• Chapter 2 – Creating an Existing Conditions Map (11:50)

Part 4 – You’ve Got Critical Areas – Now What?

• Chapter 1 – Permitting Spectrum (1:44)
• Chapter 2 – No Permit Required (1:34)
• Chapter 3 – Development Permit without SEPA (2:41)
• Chapter 4 – Development Permit with SEPA (1:31)
• Chapter 5 – Land Use Permit with or without SEPA (3:50) 
• Chapter 6 – Land Use Permit with Critical Areas Report (7:12)

Part 5 – Permit Scenarios

• Chapter 1 – Avoid Critical Areas (Development Permit Only) (7:26)
• Chapter 2 – Avoid Critical Areas – Reminders (10:00)
• Chapter 3 – Specified Uses in Critical Areas (Critical Areas Land Use Permit) (10:37)
• Chapter 3 – Specified Uses in Critical Areas Q&A (11:47)
• Chapter 4 – Improve Critical Area Functions (Critical Areas Land Use Permit with Critical Areas Report) (8:34) 
• Chapter 5 – Improve Critical Area Functions Q&A (5:34) 
• Chapter 6 – Residential Development Density (3:49)
• Chapter 7 – Maximum Office Floor Area (4:10)

Part 6 – Stewardship of Critical Areas

• Chapter 1 – Private stewardship (18:43) 
• Chapter 2 – Public stewardship (14:25)