Ordinance 2161-96 - Laserfiche WebLink

l • • H. Amending the Land Use Map. The City is asked much more frequently to amend the designations of the Land Use Map than the policies embodied in the text. This is usually the result of an individual who wishes to rezone land to allow uses not permitted by the existing zoning of the property. Such requests are sometimes based upon a specific proposed use and development for a property, and sometimes are speculative for purposes of increasing the value of the land without a use or development plan proposed. In either case, the Planning Commission and City Council must carefully evaluate requests to amend the Land Use Map to determine the long term benefit to the community as a whole. Whether initiated by the City or a private party, the burden of proof is upon the proponent to demonstrate the long term benefit to the community as a whole. The following factors shall be considered in reviewing such amendment requests. 1. The proposed land use designation must be supported by or consistent with the existing policies of the various elements of the comprehensive plan. 2. Have circumstances related to the subject property and the area in which it is located changed sufficiently since the adoption of the Land Use Element to justify a change to the land use designation? If so, the circumstances which have changed should be described in detail to support findings that a different land use designation is appropriate. 3. Are the assumptions upon which the land use designation of the subject property is based erroneous, or is new information available which was not considered at the time the Land Use Element was adopted, that justify a change to the land use designation? If so, the erroneous assumptions or new information should be described in detail to enable the Planning Commission and City Council to find that the land use designation should be changed. 4. Does the proposed land use designation promote a more desirable land use pattern for the community as a whole? If so, a detailed description of the qualities of the proposed land use designation that make the land use pattern for the community more desirable should be provided to enable the Planning Commission and City Council to find that the proposed land use designation is in the community's best interest. 5. Should the proposed land use designation be applied to other properties in the vicinity? If so, the reasons supporting the change of several properties should be described in detail. If not, the reasons for changing land use designation of a single site, as requested by the proponent, should be provided in sufficient detail to enable the Planning Commission and City Council to find that approval as requested does not constitute a grant of special privilege to the proponent or a single owner of property. 6. What impacts would the proposed change of land use designation have on the current use of other properties in the vicinity, and what measures should be taken to assure compatibility with the uses of other properties in the vicinity? 7. Would the change of the land use designation sought by the proponent create pressure to change the land use designation of other properties in the vicinity? If so, would the change of land use designation for other properties be in the best long term interests of the community in general? I. Amending Policies. The policies of the comprehensive plan are the basis for many actions taken by the city and private sector. The foundation for the policies should be grounded in legal requirements, such as the Growth Management Act; sound planning and land use principles; the community's vision and values; and in the community's anticipated future growth needs. From time to time, one or more of the above policy bases changes. Laws are changed, 5