Title
Approval of Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment Application Deadline
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to set Monday, December 28, 2026 as the deadline for submitting preliminary proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments to be considered in 2027, and to direct staff to proceed with an ordinance that sets a specific date each year for submitting proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments beyond year 2027.
Report
Issue:
Whether to set Monday, December 28, 2026 as the deadline for submitting preliminary proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments to be considered in 2027, and to direct staff to proceed with an ordinance that sets a specific date each year for submitting proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments beyond year 2027.
Staff Contact:
Tim Smith, Community Development Director, 360.570.3915
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
Washington’s Growth Management Act generally limits cities to one Comprehensive Plan amendment process each year, with a few exceptions. As a result, proposed amendments must be collected and reviewed together through an annual process.
Olympia’s Municipal Code currently requires the City Council to establish a deadline each year for submitting proposed amendments. Staff recommends setting the 2027 deadline at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2026. Staff also recommends amending the Municipal Code to establish a fixed annual submission deadline for future years, eliminating the need for the City Council to set a new date each fall.
Washington's Growth Management Act provides that a city must review and evaluate its Comprehensive Plan every ten years. Olympia concluded such a 'periodic' review in December 2025. In addition, the Act provides that cities may consider annual Plan amendments. Subject to specific exceptions, the Act provides that any proposed 'annual' amendments must be 'collected' into one annual review with a schedule 'broadly disseminated' to the public. (RCW 36.70A.130)
Chapter 18.59 of the Olympia Municipal Code outlines Olympia's Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendment process. Proposed amendments may be submitted at any time. However, so that proposals are collected into an annual set, the code provides that the City Council shall set an annual submittal deadline.
The subsequent review process includes a preliminary review where the City Council decides which proposals should be considered - commonly known as “screening.” Those not eliminated at the screening step are then analyzed in detail and subject to Planning Commission public hearings, review and recommendations.
Staff proposes the following schedule for the 2027 Comprehensive Plan amendment process. The only date formally established by the City Council is the initial submittal deadline. All other dates are approximate and will be refined by staff following City Council approval.
Proposed 2027 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Schedule
• November 2026: Public announcement of the amendment process and schedule.
• December 28, 2026: Deadline for submitting preliminary amendment proposals. No application fee is required at this stage.
• January-February 2027: City Council screening of preliminary proposals to determine which amendments the City should consider.
• February 2027: Deadline for submitting final, detailed amendment applications, including applicable application and rezone fees.
• March-April 2027: Staff analysis and environmental review of proposed amendments.
• May-July 2027: Planning Commission review and public hearings.
• August 2027 and beyond: City Council review and final decisions.
Staff recommends amending the Municipal Code to establish the first Monday in December as the annual deadline for submitting preliminary Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals. This would create a consistent, predictable schedule each year and eliminate the need for the City Council to formally set a new deadline each fall.
Climate Analysis:
The City addressed Climate throughout the Comprehensive Plan update process and will continue to do so for each annual amendment process. Staff will continue to use the Climate Framework to evaluate amendment proposals.
Equity Analysis:
Equity was added to the Community Values and Vision chapter of the Comprehensive Plan in 2021. The City addressed equity throughout the update process and will continue to do so for each annual amendment process. Staff will continue to use the City’s Equity Framework to evaluate amendment proposals.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
To date, no specific proposals are anticipated. Public interest will depend on specific proposals.
Financial Impact:
None. Review of preliminary Comprehensive Plan Amendment applications is incorporated into the Community Development Department’s annual work plan.
Options:
1. Move to set Monday, December 28, 2026 as the deadline for submitting preliminary proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments to be considered in 2027, and to direct staff to proceed with an ordinance that sets a specific date each year for submitting proposals for Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments beyond year 2027.
2. Set alternative dates as deadlines for submitting such proposals.
3. Decline to consider dates for submitting Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals.
Attachments:
None