WAC 365-195-330   Rural element.  (1) Requirements. This element is required only of counties. This element shall include lands that are not designated for urban growth, agriculture, forest, or mineral resources. The rural element shall permit land uses that are compatible with the rural character of such lands and provide for a variety of rural densities.

     (2) Recommendations for meeting requirements. The following steps are recommended in preparing the rural element:

     (a) Identification of rural lands.

     (b) Identification of the amount of population growth within the twenty-year planning period which will be permitted to live or work on rural lands. This population should be consistent with an area of low-density where the full array of urban governmental services is not available.

     (c) Adoption of policies for the development of such lands, including:

     (i) Identification of the general type of uses to be permitted;

     (ii) Provision for a variety of densities for residential, commercial, and industrial development consistent with maintenance of the rural character of the area. Consideration should be given to policies allowing the approval of planned unit developments, density averaging, cluster housing, and innovative techniques of managing development within overall parameters of rural density.

     (iii) Establishment of a definition of rural governmental services which identifies the limited public facilities and services which should be provided to persons living or working in rural areas.

     (iv) Determination of appropriate buffers between agricultural, forest, and mineral resource lands of long-term commercial significance and rural lands.

     (v) Provisions regulating development at the boundary of urban growth areas so as not to foreclose the possible eventual orderly inclusion of such areas within urban growth areas.

     (d) Adoption of policies for preservation of the rural character of such lands, including:

     (i) Preservation of critical areas, consistent with private property rights;

     (ii) Continuation of agricultural uses, the cultivation of timber, and excavation of mineral resources on lands not designated as possessing long-term commercial significance for such uses;

     (iii) Encouragement of the use of rural lands for recreational pursuits which preserve open space and are environmentally benign;

     (iv) Adoption of strategies for the acquisition of natural areas of high scenic value;

     (v) Establishment of criteria for environmental protection, including programs to control nonpoint sources of water pollution and to preserve and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.190 (4)(b). 92-23-065, § 365-195-330, filed 11/17/92, effective 12/18/92.]