Title
Introduction to Capital Facilities Planning - Briefing
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the requirements of Capital Facilities Planning under the Growth Management Act.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Joyce Phillips, Principal Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
In 1990, Washington State adopted the Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA establishes a framework for coordinated planning. All counties and cities in the state are required to plan for resource lands (agricultural, forest, and mineral lands) and critical areas (wetlands, frequently flooded areas, habitat conservation areas, critical aquifer recharge areas, and geologically hazardous areas). Most counties and cities are also required to adopt comprehensive plans that contain at least the following elements:
• Land use
• Housing
• Capital facilities
• Utilities
• Rural (counties only)
• Transportation
• Economic development
• Parks and recreation
The GMA includes requirements for what each element must contain. For the capital facilities plan element the following must be included:
• An inventory of existing capital facilities owned by public entities, showing the locations and capacities of the capital facilities;
• A forecast of the future needs for such capital facilities;
• The proposed locations and capacities of expanded or new capital facilities;
• At least a six-year plan that will finance such capital facilities within projected funding capacities and clearly identifies sources of public money for such purposes; and
• A requirement to reassess the land use element if probable funding falls short of meeting existing needs and to ensure that the land use element, capital facilities plan element, and financing plan within the capital facilities plan element are coordinated and consistent. Park and recreation facilities shall be included in the capital facilities plan element.
The primary purpose of capital facilities planning is to identify what is needed to serve the community now and as it is expected to grow; when improvements are likely to be needed, how much the improvements will cost, and how they will be financed.
Ideally the capital facilities plan shows how the city is making the investments needed to implement the vision adopted in the Comprehensive Plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Capital facilities are of great interest to the community. People want to have quality drinking water, flushing toilets, stormwater treatment and retention, safe streets, recreational trails and facilities, emergency services of police and fire, electricity, libraries, and schools. While perhaps not thought about on a daily basis, these facilities and services support our residents, businesses, and visitors.
Options:
None - Information only.
Financial Impact:
None - Information only.
Attachments:
None