5. Natural Environment

Policy K-6: Protect and enhance wetlands and streams.

Two drainage basins are located in Kingsgate: the Juanita Creek Basin with streams flowing to the southwest towards I-405, and the Kingsgate Slope Basin with streams flowing to the east towards Redmond. The neighborhood has a scattering of open streams and piped streams. A few small wetlands have been delineated and identified with site development. As future development occurs, more wetlands may be identified. See Figure K-2, Kingsgate Wetlands, Streams, and Lakes.

It is important to protect and enhance the wetlands and streams in the Kingsgate neighborhood through management of activities affecting vegetation, water, and the land. Protection of the natural resources preserves fish and wildlife habitat, maintains water quality, prevents degradation or loss of natural features and functions, and minimizes risks to life and property. See additional goals and policies in the Environment Element for preservation and enhancement of streams and wetlands and their buffers in sensitive areas.

Policy K-7: Regulate land use and development in or adjacent to geologically hazardous areas.

The eastern and southern portions of Kingsgate Slope and an area north of Totem Lake in the Juanita Basin contain high landslide hazards. See Figure K-3a, Kingsgate Landslide Susceptibility. These steep slopes and ravines are subject to erosion and hazardous conditions (earthquakes and landslides). They pose a potential threat to the health and safety of the community. Damage resulting from landslides may include loss of life and property, disruption to utility systems, or blockage of transportation and emergency access corridors. Landslides are highly probable in many steep and unstable slope areas, regardless of development activity. They may be triggered by grading operations, land clearing, removal of trees and vegetation, irrigation, or the load characteristics of buildings on hillsides. For these reasons, development is regulated where landslides are likely. In some cases, regulation may result in severe limitations to the scale and placement of development and grading that is limited to the smallest modification necessary for reasonable site development. Improvements should be made to address existing erosion control problems when measures were not implemented at the time of development. See additional goals and policies in the Environment Element for developing in these landslide hazard areas.

Figure K-2: Kingsgate Wetlands, Streams, and Lakes

Figure K-3a: Kingsgate Landslide Susceptibility

Figure K-3b: Kingsgate Liquefaction Potential

Policy K-8: Protect existing vegetative corridors along the boundaries of the neighborhood.

Vegetative corridors exist along the boundaries of the neighborhood. Along the east boundary, much of the vegetative corridor is located on steep slopes that have been designated as geologically hazardous areas. Along the west boundary, the vegetative corridor protects residential development from impacts due to I-405 traffic. Along the north boundary, a vegetation corridor is located in part of the East Northway Hill Park owned by Bothell. The Totem Lake neighborhood contains a greenbelt easement bordering the southeast boundary of the Kingsgate neighborhood. These vegetative corridors minimize erosion on steep slopes, enhance the visual character of the neighborhood with dense tree canopy and provide wildlife corridors. Vegetation in these corridors should be retained to the maximum extent possible when development or redevelopment occurs.