The proposed ordinance amends Title 2 of the Bainbridge Island Municipal Code ("BIMC") to ensure consistency with the updated 2018 Critical Areas Ordinance.

The City is required by the Growth Management Act (GMA) (see, e.g., RCW 36.70A.130) to conduct a periodic review and update of its comprehensive plan and development regulations to ensure consistency with updated state laws and population and employment projections. The City must adopt development regulations that implement the Comprehensive Plan, including critical areas regulations.

Ordinance No. 2018-01 (formerly Ordinance No. 2017-01) adopts the update to the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance, and will be effective April 23, 2018. The changes to the BIMC executed through this ordinance are generally procedural or clarifying changes that are being made to ensure consistency in the City's regulations and to address associated issues.