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 b...
Click here for full text