Planning 2013-04-25 ITEM 5 - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - STAFF REPORT

Browse Search

BACKGROUND The City of Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1995, establishes goals and policies that guide the community as it grows and changes over time. Its policies and land use map lay out the community's long range vision. The Comprehensive Plan has been amended periodically to keep up with changing requirements, and in response to amendment applications from the public. The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) gives Tukwila the opportunity to amend the Comprehensive Plan once a year, unless it is an emergency. Applications for amendments are due by December 31, and are reviewed during the following year, with the potential for two separate reviews by the City Council, and one by the Planning Commission. There are opportunities for public comment at each stage. In addition to these regular amendments, the state Growth Management Act (GMA) requires counties and cities to periodically conduct a thorough review of their plan and development regulations to bring them up to date with any relevant changes in the GMA and to respond to changes in land use and population growth. Although the basic structure of the GMA has remained intact over the years, the state legislature has amended it frequently. The last required systematic review and update was completed in 2004. At its meeting on February 25, 2013, the Planning Commission was briefed on the Growth Management Act, and the requirement for periodic review and update to the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations completed by June 30, 2015. The Comprehensive Plan elements are being considered in phases, and Tukwila is undertaking the required update effort over several years. To date, update work has been completed on the Manufacturing /Industrial Center element (6/11), and the goals and policies in the Shoreline element (8/11). On March 18, 2013, the City Council adopted a general schedule, work plan and public participation program to guide the Comprehensive Plan update work over the next two years, and referred the update to the Planning Commission. The public participation and work programs include a general sequence and schedule of steps in the update process to ensure that public is aware of the process and knows how they can participate. Public participation activities will not be uniform, but instead will be tailored to the characteristics of individual elements. On March 27, 2013 a public open house was held to share the Comprehensive Plan update process and key background issues with the community, and to learn specific concerns or interests. REVIEW PROCESS A work session on proposed changes to the Capital Facilities and Utilities elements will be held on April 23, 2013. At that time, staff will review the proposed elements with the Commission, concentrating on changes. There will be a public hearing on April 25, 2013 to receive comments from the community. The Commissioners will have an opportunity to consider public input carefully and propose further changes, if desired. After the hearing, the Planning Commission will be asked to make a recommendation that will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration, a public hearing and adoption. During the course of the update work, it is expected that the type of materials provided will be consistent for each individual element. The review for each element will include a work session and a public hearing. The City Council will hold its review and take action only after it receives the Planning RF Page 2 of 4 04/17/2013 42