Shoreline Planning

Shoreline Master Program
Lake Ballinger, a treasured community resource, is the centerpiece of Mountlake Terrace's Shoreline Master Program. Under the Shoreline Management Act, each city and county with "Shorelines of Statewide Significance" must adopt a shoreline management plan. This plan directs how the shorelines and uplands of Lake Ballinger are developed and managed. While the plan is to be based on state laws and rules, it must be tailored to the specific geographic, economic and environmental needs of the community. Lake Ballinger is the only shoreline in Mountlake Terrace that is a shoreline of state significance.

The Shoreline Master Program, more commonly called the Shoreline Plan, was updated and adopted in November 2013. Further updates took place in the Spring of 2019. The Shoreline Plan contains the rules and standards necessary to define and regulate allowed uses on, and abutting to, the Lake Ballinger shoreline. 

The Shoreline Plan is to be reviewed and, as needed, updated at least every eight years. A review considers changes in state law, effectiveness of the adopted Plan and consistency with any changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The update process also considers events, and current local interests in the community, since the adoption of the Plan.  

2019 Meetings 

• February 25 Community Open House (6-7PM)
• February 25 Planning Commission Review
• March 25 Planning Commission Recommendation to City Council
• March-April Comment period for Ecology and Public
• April 11 City Council work/study session
• April 15 City Council Public Hearing to adopt a SMP Resolution
• June 13 City Council work/study session
• June 17 City Council adopts SMP plan and Ordinance

For more information about Shoreline Planning email Sara Pizzo, AICP, Associate Planner or call 425-744-6284.