HomeMy WebLinkAbout21-077 Related to the 2022 Annual Update to the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan Resolution 21-077
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RESOLUTION 21-077
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
RELATED TO THE 2022 ANNUAL UPDATE TO THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE LAND
USE PLAN
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 (Port Townsend Municipal Code
"PTMC" Title 17) 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 to ensure that the plan remains consistent with the goals and
requirements of the GMA, as well as emerging community trends; and,
WHEREAS, on October 3, 2016, Council adopted amendments to the Comprehensive
Plan and Chapters 17 and 18 of the municipal code in partial compliance with the GMA periodic
update (RCW36.70a.130); and,
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2018, Council adopted amendments to the Critical Areas
Ordinance completing the City's GMA requirement under RCW36.70A.130; and,
WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.470 and WAC 365-196-640 require that the City establish a
procedure for considering amendments to the comprehensive plan on an annual basis; and,
WHEREAS, PTMC 20.04.020 (B) sets forth amendment cycles and identifies the types
of amendments that shall be docketed and considered on an annual basis as follows:
1. Site-specific "formal" applications, timely filed and accompanied by a filing fee;
2. Time sensitive mandated amendments as determined by the Director of Development
Services;
3. Amendments necessary to address a deficiency in the comprehensive plan or
development regulations identified during project review(pursuant to RCW
36.70A.470(3)), provided, if resources are unavailable, the amendment could be carried
over;
WHEREAS, under PTMC 20.04.035(B), Council may open the annual amendment process
to non-mandatory amendments. Council must decide whether to do so on or before December 15th of
each year. Council's decision should be based upon consideration of available resources to review
amendments and implement the Comprehensive Plan; and,
WHEREAS,the Director of Development Services has recommended that the City not
open the 2022 annual amendment process to suggested amendments given that:
Resolution 21-077
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a. With adoption of Ordinance 3154 on October 3, 2016, the City completed an
extensive update to the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations including
numerous suggested amendments.
b. The City is required to complete a state mandated Comprehensive Plan update in 2025.
c. The volume of land use permits has remained steady while staff resources have remained
constant. Development Services Department("DSD") is operating to capacity in terms of
the current planning/permit review functions.
d. Permits include a variety of housing projects both in the permitting and construction
stage that have the potential to make a measurable increase in the local housing
supply.
e. In 2022,DSD will continue working on code amendments and initiatives related to
housing and improving permit processing efficiencies.
f. DSD staff time will be required for environmental review and permitting of key Capital
Facilities projects including:
i. Sewer Outfall Replacement
ii. Discovery Road Improvements
g. If the 2022 update was open to suggested amendments, additional staff or consultant
resources may be necessary to process those amendments and still comply with the
mandatory updates and ongoing projects. The 2022 budget does not have allocated funds
for additional staff or land use consultants.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend that, pursuant to PTMC 20.04.035(B),no amendments will be considered in the 2022
annual update except those required by PTMC 20.04.020(B).
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular business
meeting thereof held this 22,d day of November 2021
icl�elle Sandoval
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
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Joanna Sanders, MMC__...._._ l�d (11°°enr oc '1
City Clerk City Attorney