Establishing a desirable pattern of land use that reflects the needs of the residents of the city;

Ensuring the efficient use of public investment in community facilities, roads and utilities;

Providing clear and stable guidelines for public and private development;

Providing flexible means to stimulate creativity while maintaining sufficient control to achieve the objectives of the city's comprehensive plan;

Establishing adequate building setback and regulations to ensure adequate light, air and open space as well as preventing the spread of fire;

Providing for residential, commercial, recreational and industrial sites that satisfy the needs of the residents of the city;

Preventing and abating conditions considered by the city and its residents to be nuisances that degrade the value of property and quality of life;

Furthering the goals and policies of the city's comprehensive plan;

Complying with the provisions of RCW Chapter 35A.63 and the Growth Management Act, both as amended.

When the provisions of this title impose a greater restriction upon the use of buildings and premises or upon the height of buildings and structures or require larger open spaces than are imposed or required by other laws, ordinances, codes, easements, regulations or covenants, the provisions of this title shall control.

The administrator shall review and determine any questions involving the proper interpretation or application of the provisions of this title that may be requested by any property owner, tenant, government officer, department, board or commission affected. The administrator's decision shall be in keeping with the spirit and intent of this title and of the city's comprehensive plan.

A record shall be kept of all interpretations and rulings made by the administrator and such decision shall be binding for future administration.

For the purposes of this title, the zone districts described in Table 17.04.080 are established.

Standards specific to many land uses are described in Chapter 17.10 of this title. The allowed uses for each district are shown in Table 17.10.020, District Use Chart. Required setback, height, density, lot coverage, and other requirements are found in Section 17.10.090. Parking requirements are described in Chapter 17.32.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed as following such centerlines;

Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines;

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the corporate limits of the city shall be construed as following the corporate limits of the city;

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracts;

Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to following such shorelines, and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline; boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines;

Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections (A) through (E) of this section shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the Brewster zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map;

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are inconsistent with those shown on the Brewster zoning map or in other circumstances not covered by subsections (A) through (F) of this section, the administrator shall interpret the district boundaries.

The impacts of a proposed use shall be considered in determining whether the use is to be allowed, and shall be considered in determining any conditions under which a land use permit or building permit may be granted. This process is not intended to permit uses that are prohibited within a given zoning district or for developments that are required to complete a SEPA checklist. Nothing in this section shall be construed to give any property owner a right to use any property in any manner that requires a land use permit unless such permit has first been granted and is in full force and effect pursuant to all conditions attached thereto.

Any new use or change in use, including home businesses, will require an impact assessment. Applicants will be required to submit a completed impact assessment checklist as part of the process of applying for a land use permit, building permit, or business license. The city shall use the impact assessment checklist as one means of notifying applicants of performance standards that may pertain to a given development proposal or permit application and providing guidance in meeting those standards.

Single-family dwellings, when used solely as such, are exempt from the impact assessment requirement. However, all uses, including single-family dwellings, must comply with the applicable performance and development standards. An impact assessment may be required for any single-family dwelling proposed to be used for a home business as part of the administrative permitting requirement pursuant to Chapter 17.80.

In making a determination regarding impacts, the administrator or designated decision-making body shall consider the performance standards specified in Chapter 17.10. The administrator or designated decision-making body may require applicants to submit additional information to fully and fairly evaluate the impacts of the proposed use. Decisions will be based on the information provided in the applicant's completed impact assessment checklist, as well as any other information requested by the administrator or decision-making body.

The applicant for a proposed use may use design features or other measures to mitigate impacts, where feasible. Examples of mitigation include buffering and limitations on hours of operation. Any mitigating measures required by the city shall be considered conditions of approval, and shall be reduced to writing, and recorded or entered on the face of a recorded plat, site plan map, or permit documentation as applicable.