HomeMy WebLinkAbout22-048 Related to the 2023 Annual Update to the City's Comprehensive Land Use PlanResolution 22-048
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RESOLUTION 22-048
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND
RELATED TO THE 2023 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 (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 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, 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 fling fee;
2. Time sensitive mandated amendments as determined by the Director of Planning and
Community Development;
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 Planning and Community Development Director has recommended
that the City not open the 2023 annual amendment process to suggested amendments given that:
a. The City will consider suggested amendments "during Phase I of the GMA periodic
update." Phase I of the 2025 update begins in 2023. The Periodic Update allows for more
concerted fashion of review with broader public participation.
Resolution 22-048
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b. Consistent with Council's priorities, the City retained a consultant to "assess barriers to
development of more compact and affordable infill housing, unlocking a housing response
to address community demand for more diverse and attainable housing". This effort will
be Planning and Community Development Department's (PCD) primary planning focus
through April 2023. Suggested amendments would detract staff from implementing the
Comprehensive Plan's affordable housing goals. The consultant may also identify
targeted Comprehensive Plan amendments to be processed in 2023.
c. Staff Capacity - PCD is operating to capacity with the current planning and permit review
functions. Opening the 2023 update to suggested amendments would detract staff from
their ability to assist in the Evans Vista project and process development permits that
result in additional housing units. In long-range planning, PCD staff will focus on
Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) updates and
affordable housing zoning amendments..
d. If the City opened the 2023 update to suggested amendments, additional staff or
consultant resources may be necessary to process those amendments and still comply with
the mandatory SMP and CAO updates and ongoing projects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Port Townsend that,
pursuant to PTMC 20.04.035(B), no suggested amendments will be considered in the 2023 annual
update except those identified 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 5'" day of December 2022.
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Mayor
Attest:
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City Clerk
Approved as to farm:
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City Attorney