Zoning Standards for the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District
The WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District in the City of Concord is established to ensure the protection of wildlife, hydrological, and biological resources within bay marshes and wetlands. Because the WRC District is categorized as a Community Land District, specific development standards, including Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and lot coverage, are not explicitly defined in the zoning tables and are instead subject to the discretion of the review authority or remain largely undeveloped to preserve natural resource values.
Purpose and Applicability
The WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District is specifically applied to bay marshes and wetlands located within the tidal area of the City of Concord. The primary intent of the WRC District is to ensure the protection and preservation of wildlife, hydrological, and biological resources [Section 18.60.010].
Development Standards in the WRC District
The WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District is classified as a Community Land District. Unlike the City of Concord’s commercial or residential districts, which provide specific numerical standards for metrics like Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and lot coverage, the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District maintains more restrictive oversight.
| Standard | WRC District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | Not specified; subject to review authority discretion |
| Lot Coverage | Not specified; subject to review authority discretion |
The City of Concord designates the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District as an area where development is generally limited to preserve the land in its natural state. When development or land use changes are proposed within the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District, the review authority determines the appropriateness of any modifications to the natural landscape [Section 18.60.010].
General Regulations for Community Land Districts
For all Community Land Districts, including the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District, the City of Concord provides the following guidance regarding development:
- Discretionary Approval: Development standards in the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District are applied at the discretion of the review authority [Section 18.65.050].
- Permit Requirements: Establishments in the WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District must comply with the permit requirements established in the City of Concord Development Code, Division II [Section 18.60.020].
- Protection of Resources: The WRC (Wetlands and Resource Conservation) District is intended to ensure protection of wildlife, hydrological, and biological resources, which inherently limits intensive building coverage [Section 18.60.010].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.60.010 (Community Land Districts – Purpose)
- Section 18.60.020 (Community Land Districts – Allowed uses and permit requirements)
- Section 18.65.050 (Standards for Community Land Districts)