Title
PUBLIC HEARING & Deliberation: OPC Recommendation on the Draft 2014-2019 Capital Facilities Plan
Body
Issue:
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and deliberate on their recommendation to the City Council regarding the Preliminary 2014-2019 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP.)
Staff/Finance Subcommittee Recommendation:
Following the public hearing, deliberate on any changes to the draft recommendation letter. Direct staff and Chair Horn to incorporate the changes, prepare the final letter for signatures from Chair Horn and Parker, and forward it to the City Council in time for the Council's public hearing on October 8.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Associate Planner, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Finance Subcommittee Chair, Roger Horn
Background and Analysis:
Every year, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation on the City's 6-year CFP. The deliverable is a letter of recommendation to the City Council in time for their budget deliberations.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the Preliminary CFP on August 5, 2013. Recently, staff became aware that notice of that public hearing was not published in the newspaper, which is a requirement. Therefore, the Commission is holding a second public hearing to ensure the public has been properly notified of their opportunity to comment.
The Finance Subcommittee met previously to review the Preliminary CFP on 7/1, 7/31, 8/5 (with City staff), 8/21, 8/28, and 9/12. On September 9, the full Commission discussed an early draft of the recommendation letter and made suggestions, which are incorporated into the attached draft.
Goals & Policies:
This year the Commission will also review and make a recommendation on the 20-year CFP goals and policies, which - like the 6-year plan, is an adopted part of the Comprehensive Plan.
The current (1994) Comprehensive Plan includes a Capital Facilities (CF) chapter with goals and policies, as required by GMA. The Council approved Scope of the Comprehensive Plan Update states, "Update the Plan as necessary to conform to the GMA
required planning work may include an update of the Capital Facilities [Element]
" Staff interpreted this direction to mean, although not in need of a major overhaul, the CF element should be reviewed to ensure consistency with the GMA, as well as edited for "Plain Talk" to achieve readability goals.
For the Comprehensive Plan Update, currently underway, staff drafted 'Plain Talk' edits to the CFP goals and policies. No substantive policy changes were proposed, although a few edits were made for accuracy. A draft of these edited goals and policies is included on pages 14 and 15 of the 2014-2019 Preliminary CFP.
Due mainly to time constraints, it was decided the CF element would be reviewed by OPC as part of their 2013 review of the 6-year CFP, rather than along with reviewing the other chapters in 2012-2013. Staff also proposed the CF goals and policies be included in the 6-year CFP document, and that the Comprehensive Plan online provide a link to that document.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
None known at this time
Options
Following the public hearing, deliberate on any changes to the draft recommendation letter. Direct staff and Chair Horn to incorporate the changes, prepare the final letter for signatures from Chair Horn and Parker, and forward it to the City Council in time for the Council's public hearing on October 8.
Financial Impact:
Included in base budget