Title
Advancement of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Amendment - Initial Screening
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to advance the Preliminary Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposed for consideration in 2019 to the Planning Commission for the final docket and set the Final Comprehensive Plan Amendment application deadline as February 22, 2019.
Report
Issue:
Whether to advance the Preliminary Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposed for consideration in 2019 to the Planning for the final docket and set the Final Comprehensive Plan Amendment application deadline as February 22, 2019.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
The Washington State Growth Management Act provides that Olympia generally can amend its Comprehensive Plan only once each calendar year. Chapter 18.59 of the Olympia Municipal Code establishes a specific process for such annual amendments. It provides that:
• Proposals may be submitted by anyone at any time without charge.
• City Council is to set a deadline for proposals to be considered in a given year, and
• City staff is to review and present all preliminary proposals to the Council to determine which should move forward for formal consideration. The staff’s review and recommendation at this preliminary stage is to be based on specific criteria set forth in code section 18.59.020.
In brief, these criteria are:
• Whether the proposal is consistent with state and federal law
• Whether the proposal might lead to adverse environmental impacts, and if so whether there is time to analyze such
• Whether additional capital improvements and maintenance revenue would be needed, and if so whether there is time to analyze such
• Whether the proposal conflicts with other provisions of the Comprehensive Plan
• Whether other significant amendments would be needed and, if so, whether there is time for such
• If the proposal has previously been reviewed and, if so, whether the applicant has identified a reason to review it again
(A copy with full text of the criteria is attached.)
The City Council’s role at this stage is to “review all such proposals, determine which are appropriate and worthy of further review and consideration, and move those to the Planning Commission for review and public hearing” (OMC 18.59.030). Note that at this stage the Council’s role is not to decide whether or not a proposal should be approved. Instead the Council is to decide - without otherwise pre-judging the issue - which proposals should move to the next stage for review. The City Council has discretion as to whether to consider a proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment - there is no requirement that the City consider any amendments in a given calendar year.
Amendments forwarded by the City Council to the Planning Commission are deemed the ‘final docket’. Prior to further consideration, private proponents of forwarded proposals are required to submit a detailed amendment application including appropriate fees. All forwarded amendment proposals will be subject to environmental review by City staff and appropriate public processes, including review and recommendations by the Planning Commission following a public hearing. Final decisions are scheduled to be made by the City Council later in 2019.
Proposal
One proposal was received for consideration this year. The application, including related materials, is attached to this report. In summary, the proposal is to amend Policy PN 8.1 in the Natural Environment Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan to be the same as the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal adopted by the City Council, by Resolution M - 1976, on October 16, 2018.
Staff Recommendation
City staff has evaluated the proposal pursuant to the OMC criteria and recommends the Council conclude:
The proposal is consistent with the six criteria and should be placed on the final docket for 2019 by forwarding the proposal to the Planning Commission for consideration.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Olympians are interested in climate change issues, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Concerns specific to the City of Olympia’s policy language regarding emissions reduction would be able to be expressed during the public review and hearing process if the proposal is advanced for further review.
Options:
1. Direct that the Planning Commission review the proposal, hold a public hearing, and make a recommendation to the Council consistent with the 2019 Comprehensive Plan amendment schedule; and set the Final Comprehensive Plan Amendment application deadline as February 22, 2019
2. Decline to consider the proposed amendment in 2019.
3. Direct consideration of the proposal as part of a different process, instead of as part of the 2019 Comprehensive Plan amendments.
Financial Impact:
Consideration of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments is within the base budget.
Attachments:
Olympia Municipal Code 18.59 - Olympia Comprehensive Plan Amendment ProcessReview and Evaluation
Application