Title
Growth Management Act (GMA) Periodic Review Resolution
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee by City Council. The Land Use and Environment Committee received a briefing on this resolution at its May 19, 2016 meeting.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to adopt the Resolution clarifying that the City of Olympia is in compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA) requirements for a periodic review of its comprehensive plan and development regulations.
Report
Issue:
Whether to adopt the attached resolution clarifying that the City of Olympia is in compliance with the GMA requirements for a periodic review of its comprehensive plan and development regulations.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development, (360) 753-8206, lbauer@ci.olympia.wa.us <mailto:lbauer@ci.olympia.wa.us>
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
Section 36.70A.130 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) contains requirements of the GMA that cities and counties periodically review, and revise if necessary, their comprehensive plans and development regulations. Cities and counties that fail to meet the deadlines established in RCW 36.70A.130 may not be eligible for state grants and loans.
Under the schedule established in RCW 36.70A.130(5), the deadline for the City of Olympia to complete its periodic review is June 30, 2016. An additional year is granted in RCW 36.70A.130(7) for periodic review of the City’s critical areas development regulations, if the City has completed the periodic review of its comprehensive plan and all other development regulations by June 30, 2016.
The City Council updated its Comprehensive Plan by adopting Ordinance #6945 on December 16, 2014. Exhibit B of that ordinance identified specific proposed amendments to the City development regulations necessary to ensure they remain consistent with its updated comprehensive plan (items identified by an asterisk in the attached Table of Development Regulations Amendments). This attachment also demonstrates the necessary amendments have all been completed.* By completing these amendments, the City has completed its GMA-required periodic review of its development regulations.
[*Note that one of the initially-identified amendments, regarding zoning of the Capitol Campus, is no longer necessary as zoning and land use authority over the Capitol Campus rests with the State of Washington by statute.]
The attached resolution clarifies that the City of Olympia complies with the periodic review requirements of RCW 36.70A.130 because it has reviewed and updated its comprehensive plan and development regulations prior to June 30, 2016. As a result, the City automatically qualifies for a one-year extension for completing the required review and update of its critical areas ordinance. The Olympia Planning Commission held a public hearing on a draft update to the City’s critical areas ordinance on June 6, 2016, and will be making a recommendation to the City Council in the near future.
Upon adoption by the City Council, the resolution will be delivered to the State Department of Commerce to confirm the City’s continued eligibility for state grants and loans.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
There is city-wide interest in the City’s comprehensive plan and development regulations.
Options:
1. Adopt the Resolution clarifying that the City of Olympia is in compliance with the GMA requirements for a periodic review of its comprehensive plan and development regulations.
2. Modify the Resolution.
3. Choose not to adopt a Resolution confirming the City’s compliance with GMA periodic review requirements. [Note: This option may create uncertainty by various state agencies as to whether the City remains eligible for state grants and loans.]
Financial Impact:
No direct impacts. If the Resolution is not adopted before June 30, 2016, there may be uncertainty by various state agencies as to whether the City remains eligible for state grants and loans.
Attachments:
Resolution
Table of Development Regulations Amendments