Wetlands and Resource Conservation (WRC) District Zoning Standards
The Wetlands and Resource Conservation (WRC) district in the City of Concord is designated for the protection of bay marshes, wetlands, and associated biological resources. Development within the WRC district is highly restricted, and the district does not establish specific minimum lot sizes or dimensional standards, as land use and development in the WRC district are primarily focused on resource preservation.
Development and Land Use in the WRC District
The Wetlands and Resource Conservation (WRC) district is intended to ensure the protection of wildlife, hydrological, and biological resources within tidal areas. Zoning regulations for the WRC district are established under the Community Land Districts provisions of the Concord Development Code [Section 18.60.010].
While the Concord Development Code establishes development standards for other districts, the WRC district does not provide specific minimum lot sizes, lot widths, or lot depths. Development on any site within the WRC district must generally be consistent with the purpose of protecting sensitive resources and is subject to the regulations set forth for Community Land Districts [Section 18.60.010; Section 18.60.030].
General Standards for Community Land Districts
Development and site improvements within the WRC district must comply with the general standards established for all Community Land Districts. Because the WRC district is focused on environmental protection, development standards, including those related to site configuration, are determined on a case-by-case basis by the review authority:
| Standard | WRC District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | Not specified (determined by review authority) |
| Minimum Lot Width | Not specified (determined by review authority) |
| Minimum Lot Depth | Not specified (determined by review authority) |
| General Development | Subject to review authority approval [Section 18.60.030] |
Resource Management and Maintenance
Because the WRC district is intended to protect wetlands and resources in perpetuity, any proposed subdivision or development on a site within the WRC district is subject to environmental review and must be compatible with the physical, habitat, and aesthetic functions of the area [Section 18.305.010]. Property owners within the WRC district may be required to enter into property maintenance agreements to ensure the continued protection and restoration of these lands [Section 18.305.060].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.60.010 (Purpose)
- Section 18.60.030 (Community land districts – Development standards)
- Section 18.305.010 (Purpose)
- Section 18.305.060 (Property maintenance agreements)