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HomeMy WebLinkAbout16-028 Comp Plan Public Participation Program Resolution 16-028 Page I of 2 RESOLUTION NO. 16-028 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON,AMENDING THE 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 is currently considering periodic updates to the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations; 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 and 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 RCWst, the City Council, in support of its desire to provide an enhanced outreach and engagement program, adopted a Public Participation Program ("Program") in Resolution 14-020; and WHEREAS, the Program calls for a second"traditional public meeting" in conjunction with the release of the draft plan/code amendments and the environmental review; and WHEREAS, because the GMA requires public hearings before both the Planning Commission and before the City Council, the testimony received at these public hearings becomes part of the official record. On the other hand, comments received at a town meeting do not necessarily become part of the record; and WHEREAS, in order to preserve the integrity of the public hearing process, staff recommends that, instead of conducting the second town meeting, the City instead provide additional notice of opportunities to comment in writing, and to testify at the public hearings. Staff will continue to use the City's website and utility newsletters and will issue notices to the local media; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend that the Public Participation Program adopted by Resolution 14-020 is amended to strike the requirement for a second town meeting. ' (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 3 6.70A.140). Resolution 16-028 Page 2 of 2 ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular business meeting thereof, held this 6th day of June 2016. F Deborah S. Stinson Mayor Attest: Approved as to form: anna Sanders, CMC Steven L. Gross City Clerk City Attorney