Ordinance 2161-96 - Laserfiche WebLink

• • The Growth Management Act allows jurisdictions to amend comprehensive plans only once per year, except under emergency situations. By City ordinance, changes to either the policies or land use map of the comprehensive plan can be made only through a public review process conducted by the Planning Commission and City Council. The Planning Commission must conduct a public hearing and make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council has the final authority to approve or deny a request to amend either the policies or land use map of the comprehensive plan. B. Annual Amendment and Update of the Comprehensive Plan. Except as provided by State Law and Section C of this chapter, the comprehensive plan may be amended not more than once per calendar year. The City may amend as many sections of the comprehensive plan as it wishes each year as part of the annual plan update process. The City shall review all revisions as a comprehensive package of updates to the plan so the cumulative effect of all proposed amendments is fully understood. The comprehensive plan amendment process is intended to coincide with the annual budget process so that the City's expenditures are consistent with the priorities and goals of the community as expressed in the plan. C. Exceptions to the Annual Plan Amendment Process. The City may consider amendments to the comprehensive plan outside of the Annual Amendment and Update process under one or more of the following circumstances: 1. The initial adoption of a subarea plan; 2. The adoption or amendment of a shoreline master program under the procedures set forth in chapter 90.58 RCW; 3. Whenever an emergency exists; or 4. To resolve an appeal of the comprehensive plan or an implementing development regulation or program that is filed with the growth management hearings board or courts. D. Who May Initiate Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. Amendments to the comprehensive plan may be initiated according to the following procedures: 1. Amendment to the Land Use Map. Proposed amendments to the Land Use Map of the comprehensive plan for the purpose of rezoning property or allowing a use or type of development that is not permitted by the current land use designation and implementing land use regulations may be initiated by a property owner, authorized agent, or by the City. Amendments initiated by a property owner or applicant shall be filed with completed application forms available from the Planning and Community Development Department along with applicable filing fees and application materials. The Planning and Community Development Department shall establish a date by which applications for amendment to the Land Use Map must be submitted to be included in the annual update and amendment process, to allow for sufficient time to complete environmental review and public comment before the Planning Commission must make its decision. 2. Amendment to Comprehensive Plan Policies to Support A Change to the Land Use Map. Amendments to one or more policies of any element of the comprehensive plan which are needed to justify or support an amendment to the Land Use Map may be initiated by a property owner or applicant, or by the City. If initiated by a property owner or applicant, the justification for the change to the policy shall be included in the application materials for the Land Use Map amendment. 3. Amendment to Comprehensive Plan Policies, Programs or Implementation Measures. Amendments to one or more policies of any element of the comprehensive plan may be initiated by the Planning Commission, City Council, or the Mayor. Citizens, City departments, other public agencies, civic or business organizations, or other parties may 3