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HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-020 Adopting a Public Participation Program for the 2016 Comp Plan Resolution 14-020 Page 1 of 2 RESOLUTION 14-020 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON,ADOPTING A PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM FOR THE CITY'S 2016 PERIODIC UPDATE TO THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 36.70A.140 RCW WHEREAS,the City adopted a 20-Year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan through Ordinance No. 2539 on July 15, 1996 to meet the goals and requirements of Chapter 36.70A RCW (also known as the Growth Management Act"GMA"); and WHEREAS,the City adopted its current Zoning Code (Title 17 PTMC) on April 7, 1997 (Ordinance No. 2571), to comply with the GMA and to implement the Plan; and WHEREAS, since initial adoption in 1996,the City has undertaken numerous amendments to the Plan in an effort to ensure that the plan remains consistent with the goals and requirements of the GMA, as well as emerging community trends; and WHEREAS, Chapter 36.70A.130 RCW requires that the City"shall take legislative action to review and, if needed, revise its comprehensive land use plan and development regulations to ensure the plan and regulations comply with the requirements of this chapter"; and WHEREAS, Chapter 36.70A.140 RCW requires cities to conduct outreach to "establish and broadly disseminate to the pubic a public participation program identifying procedures providing for early and continuous public participation in the development and amendment of comprehensive land use plans sand development regulations and implementing such plans"; and WHEREAS, although the City's standard review and noticing requirements codified in Chapter 20.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) complies with the public participation and effective public notice .requirements of the RCWs', the City Council desires an enhanced outreach and engagement program. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend that the City adopt the proposed Public Participation Program attached hereto as Exhibit A for the City's Comprehensive Plan 2016 periodic update pursuant to Chapter 36.70A.140 RCW. 1(RCWs 36.70A.035,36.70A.040,and 36.70A.130(2)(a)).At the same time, it should be remembered that"errors in exact compliance with the established program and procedures"do not render the plan or development regulations invalid"if the spirit of the program and procedures is observed."(RCW 36.70A.140). Resolution 14-020 Page 2 of 2 ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular business meeting thereof, held this fifth day of May 2014. David King, Mayor Attest: Approved as to form: Pamela Kolacy, MMC John P. Watts City Clerk City Attorney Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 Page I of 6 Public Participation Program City of Port Townsend 2016 GMA Comprehensive Plan Review and Update "Port Townsend is our legacy for the future. Each generation makes its contribution. This Comprehensive Plan is today's attempt to define and refine our legacy to Port Townsend Our dream of how Port Townsend should be and could be for generations to come is presented in this Plan. Such a plan is a statement of confidence, optimism and belief in ourselves, a statement that our community can change without losing its essential character." (City of Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan, Community Direction Statement) INTRODUCTION The City of Port Townsend is conducting a periodic review and update of its Comprehensive Plan and implementing development regulations as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). Topics will range widely and include land use and zoning,housing,economic development, transportation,utilities,parks,critical areas and more. The deadline for completion is currently June 30,2016(RCW 36.70A.130 (5)). The GMA calls out a number of specific items that are required to be reviewed (and amended if needed) as part of the periodic update. In addition,the State recommends review of additional items and still other issues will arise through the local process. Given limited resources, City Council will weigh whether"recommended items" and locally identified issues merit the allocation of additional resources. At this juncture,the Update is expected to build on the current Community Direction Statement (Vision Statement)for the City which was adopted in 1996 through an extensive community involvement process. In 2008,Port Townsend conducted a series of public Open Houses which confirmed the Vision Statement. The Plan Update will focus on policy changes needed to build on the Vision. In addition, several new policy and data updates will be prepared as required by the State of Washington for compliance with GMA. Inclusion of new policies addressing changed circumstances may also be considered. Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 Page 2 of 6 The GMA requires local governments to create and broadly disseminate a Public Participation Program. This Program describes how the City of Port Townsend will meet the requirements for early and continuous public participation. This document may be updated over time to reflect the needs of the Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code Update project and experiences in early outreach to ensure public participation is effective. GOALS The overarching goals of the Public Participation Program(Program)are to: inform the public, establish clear communications with them,and encourage broad participation in the Update process. The Program is designed to: Inform • Explain the process and the requirements of the GMA • Provide an overview of the Comprehensive Plan and implementing regulations • Inform interested parties of Comprehensive Plan's implementation status • Explore changed circumstances and emerging trends • Provide objective information to assist the public in understanding issues and options Communicate • Provide two-way communication as much as possible • Be mindful that communications need to be simplified as comprehensive planning is a complex topic and to use non-technical language and supporting graphics to explain the technical aspects of the project • Solicit and acknowledge input on issues and concerns received from stakeholders and participants • Use multiple means of communications(print,media,public involvement) • Inform elected and appointed officials and city staff through continual communications about the purpose, scope and objectives of the Update. Participate • Encourage broad,balanced and inclusive participation throughout the process • Reach out to traditionally under-represented audiences • Use multiple participation methods offering residents a diversity of ways to participate(such as web-based education and interaction, interviews,and meetings) • Provide opportunities for the community to engage throughout the process Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 .Page 3 of 6 AUDIENCES There are several audiences—individuals and agencies that will participate in the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan and Municipal Code Update,and each will become engaged in the process in different ways: • General Public: Port Townsend residents,property owners,and business owners • Elected and Appointed Officials: City Councilmembers,Planning Commissioners, Advisory Board Members • Service Providers/Special districts: School,electric,fire,hospital,housing,City Public Works • Non-government Organizations: Economic Development Council(Team Jefferson), Jefferson Land Trust,Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce,Rotary,and other service clubs. • State,Regional and Other Local Government Entities: Jefferson County, Washington State(DOT,WSF,WSP) PROCESS AND SCHEDULE The schedule for the 2016 GMA Review and Update consists of three basic Phases. Public participation evolves as the update progresses (see the matrix below). Phase I. Phase II. Phase III. Capacity Analysis & Review Process Building Alternative and Adoption Development Public Participation Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 Page 4 of 6 Task Public Participation At--tyl Timefratne Phase I. Capacity Building—At the end of this phase,all participants should have a functional understanding of the update process,what we must do,and what new circumstances should be considered as we plan for the future. • MGauge Available • Public Participation Spring 2014-Winter 2015 Resources, Develop Program approved and Public Participation posted Program • Meet with stakeholders to • Evaluate Status of gather data/assess changed Comprehensive Plan circumstances and and Implementation emerging trends • Review and Analyze • Informational meetings GMA Requirements with elected and appointed and Compliance officials • Prepare a preliminary • Informational Web- list of must, should, page/newsletter/Library could amendments Resource Center Phase II. Analysis and Alternative Development—As the process enters this phase,participants will discuss the implications of changed circumstances and emerging trends and explore preliminary responses. • Gather and assess data • Key staff and stakeholders 2015 prepare white papers • Develop series of • Joint Planning plausible alternatives Commission/Council Workshop • Town Meeting Phase III. Participation and Adoption—Citizens are provided multiple opportunities through a variety of means to participate in the process, such that the final plan is adopted with broad based support. • SEPA Analysis • Town Meeting 2016 • SEPA Comment period • DOC 60-day review • Planning Commission Review • Council Review OUTREACH&ENAGAGEMENT METHODS Abiding by the City's standard review and noticing requirements, codified in Chapter 20.04 of the Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC), ensures that the update process is in compliance with the public participation and effective public notice requirements of the RCWs1, however the City desires an enhanced outreach and engagement. The following methods are planned: ' (RCWs 36.70A.035, 36.70A.040, and 36.70A.1 30(2)(a)). At the same time, it should be remembered that"errors in exact compliance with the established program and procedures" do not render the plan or Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 Page S of 6 Distribution of background information Copies of the current Comprehensive Plan,functional plans(e.g.,Transportation,Parks)and other relevant documents will be made readily accessible on the City website,at City Hall and the City Library. Information will be shared with the Planning Commission,City departments and regional agencies. Resources permitting,we propose a traveling kiosk to popular destinations(e.g.,grocery stores,Port Townsend Farmer's Market)/presentations to community groups. Interviews/Focus Groups During the capacity building and analysis phases staff will interview key stakeholders, selected City staff, elected and appointed officials. In addition to addressing changed circumstances and emerging trends,these interviews can also uncover particular concerns with existing Comprehensive Plan policies and code implementation. Stakeholder focus group(s)may be formed rather than individual interviews to allow for a more interactive conversation. On-line Tools The City's current efforts to provide the greatest possible transparency to citizens through documents on line, meeting web streaming on demand,published agendas packet materials, and global word search capability, will be enhanced by activation of the Granicus citizen participation solution. This cloud-based solution will provide: • A web page dedicated to the project • Easy-to-use online tools for citizen's to submit ideas and feedback; • A form integrated with the published agendas that allows citizens to provide feedback on agenda items on any internet-connected device; • Automation of the collection, organization and distribution of citizen feedback. The Clerk's office will work with DSD staff to create and update the site and to collect feedback. Opportunities for Oral Testimony Public comment periods will be provided before the City of Port Townsend Planning Commission and City Council. Standing advisory groups and/or subcommittees may be engaged on specific topics. Meeting times are posted on the City website and published in the Port Townsend Leader. Press Releases and Media Advertisements We will issue news releases to local media and/or place advertisements announcing public meetings or other key events or information updates during the review process. Media contacts include but are not limited to: development regulations invalid "if the spirit of the program and procedures is observed." (RCW 36.70A.140). Exhibit A to Resolution 14-020 Page 6 of 6 The Port Townsend Leader,Peninsula Daily News,PTTV,KPTZ and the City Newsletter Surveys Informational surveys will be conducted during public open house events. Resources permitting,additional surveys may be conducted via mail,phone,or online. Traditional public meetings At least two community open house meetings intended for broad public engagement will be held(one early in the process to"check in"with the public on key issues and a second in conjunction with release of the Draft Plan/Code and environmental review(SEPA). Notice of the date,time and location of public meetings will be published through standard notice procedures (i.e., City website and Port Townsend header). Additional postings may be provided(e.g.,flyers, utility bill notices,and emails). Written Comments Opportunity for written comments will be provided throughout the process via the on-line tool. Comment forms will be available at public open house events. Opportunity for written comment will be provided during the SEPA review process. CONCLUSION This Program has been drafted at the beginning of the review process. It is anticipated that adjustments may be necessary as the public participation process unfolds. It is intended to be flexible and adaptable as we cannot predict what issues and opportunities may arise. As the update progresses, staff will provide periodic updates at Council meetings;the most current information about upcoming activities and comment opportunities will be posted on the website.