Prairie Creek HomeownersPre-Application Meeting
These comments are preliminary in nature and are not intended to represent final comments and or requirements for the City of Yelm. Until a complete application is made, the Community
Development Department can only attempt to inform the applicant of general requirements as they appear in the form presented by the applicant at the time of pre-submission.
Proponent: George Coulter Prairie Creek Homeowners Association
Project Proposal: Maintenance/Use of Common Open Space
Project Location: Prairie Creek Subdivision
Critical Areas
The area 50 feet from the edge of the wetland along Yelm Creek is a critical area buffer zone which is regulated by Section 14.08.140 YMC. Wetland buffers are required to remain in
their natural condition with limited exceptions, such as passive recreation including walking trails.
This restriction was delineated on the face of the subdivision, but neither the wetland boundary or the 50 foot buffer were surveyed. In order to accurately determine the buffer line,
the Association could hire a surveyor and, possibly, a wetland specialist to relocate the wetland and it’s buffer. The approximate location of the buffer may be obtained from the face
of the subdivision.
Floodplain
Almost the entire open space area has been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a 100 year floodplain. New residential lots are not allowed to be created within
the flooplain, which is why this area was included as part of the open space tract for the development. In addition, no activity is allowed within the floodplain which would raise the
base flood elevation, which includes filling.
Open Space
The area denoted as open space on the final subdivision, outside the wetland and it’s buffer, was dedicated pursuant to Section 14.12 YMC, which requires open space for subdivisions
at a ratio of 5% of the gross land area being developed. Because the majority of the open space tract was wetland, wetland buffer, or floodplain, the open space provided for the subdivision
exceeds the minimum required.
Maintenance of the open space tract through brush control or mowing is allowed (but may not extend into the wetland buffer).
Any improvements to the open space area, including grading, filling, the construction of structures would require approval from the City. Depending on the proposed
improvements, a land use approval (site plan review), floodplain certificate, or building permit could be required. Any proposal would require civil plan review.
In addition, and formalized use of the open space tract, such as baseball or soccer fields or as a motorcycle or ATV track would require review and approval by the City.