HomeMy WebLinkAbout23-040 Related to the 2023 Annual Update of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations, Setting the Final DocketResolution 23-040
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RESOLUTION NO. 23-040
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, RELATED TO THE 2023 ANNUAL UPDATE OF THE CITY'S
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, SETTING THE
FINAL DOCKET
WHEREAS, on July 15, 1996, the City of Port Townsend ("City") adopted its 20 -Year
Comprehensive Growth Management Plan through Ordinance 2539 in order to meet the goals
and requirements of Chapter 36.70A of the Revised Code of Washington ("RCW")(the "Growth
Management Act," "Act," or "GMA"); and
WHEREAS, the City adopted its current Zoning Code as Title 17 of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code ("PTMC") on April 7, 1997 (Ordinance 2571) to comply with the GMA and to
implement the Plan; and
WHEREAS, as permitted and required by the GMA, the City has considered and
adopted several amendments to its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations through the
annual update and mid-cycle amendments; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2022 the City Council adopted Resolution 22-048 stating
that the City would not consider annual non -mandatory amendments to the Comprehensive Plan;
and
WHEREAS, at the time Council adopted Resolution 22-048, staff had not anticipated the
need for Comprehensive Plan amendments to mitigate the housing crisis and complete the
"Road -Map to Housing"; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the "Road -Map to Housing" staff will be recommending that
the City Council consider changes to the zoning classifications as well as development
regulations that will increase density; and
WHEREAS, the consideration of zoning classification changes necessarily requires a
change to the Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding Resolution 22-048, PTMC 20.04.030(A)(1) allows the
Council to initiate amendments to the Comprehensive Plan during each annual amendment cycle
provided it makes a finding that waiting until the next scheduled annual amendment process
would be detrimental to the public's interests; and
WHEREAS, if Council does not initiate a Comprehensive Plan amendment for the 2023
Annual Update cycle, the City cannot continue to mitigate the housing crisis and complete the
"Road -Map to Housing" in 2023;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
1. The Council finds as follows:
Resolution 23-040
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a. that, there is a pressing need to review and, if necessary, update the Comprehensive Plan
to complete the "Road -Map to Housing."
b. that the lack of affordable housing in Port Townsend is an emergency in need of
immediate action.
c. that delaying consideration of these Comprehensive Plan amendments until
the 2024 annual amendment cycle would be detrimental to the public's interest.
2. Based on these findings, and as provided for in PTMC 20.04.030A(1) and notwithstanding the
limitation on suggested amendments in Resolution 22-048 the City Council hereby initiates a
Comprehensive Plan amendment for the 2023 annual update cycle that includes the actions
recommended in the "Road -Map to Housing."
3. Staff is directed to draft a proposed final 2023 annual Comprehensive Plan docket as provided
for in PTMC 20.04.020E and submit the docket to Council for approval. The final 2023 docket
should include this Council -initiated amendment and any other amendments required under
PTMC 20.04.020(B).
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Washington, at a regular
meeting thereof, held this 3 d day of July 2023.
M
David J. Fal
..
Mayor
Attest.,
Alyssa l_
.cad c�s _. ............................
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
City Attorney