Whatcom County is undertaking a multi-year project to update its Comprehensive Plan by 2016, as required by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The County is required to review and revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations periodically [RCW 36.70A.130]. The GMA states:
“…Except as otherwise provided, a county or city shall take legislative action to review and, if needed, revise its comprehensive land use plan and development regulations to ensure the plan and regulations comply with the requirements of this chapter…”
According to RCW 36.70A.130(4), Whatcom County is required to complete its next update on or before June 30, 2016.
Consistent with GMA, the update will involve:
- Reviewing and updating housing, capital facility, and transportation system inventories;
- Reviewing and revising the comprehensive plan and development regulations to ensure consistency with the state growth management laws adopted since the last comprehensive plan update;
- Reviewing the Critical Areas Ordinance [RCW 36.70A.130(1)(c)];
- Reviewing mineral resource land designations and development regulations [RCW 36.70A.131];
- Analysis of population allocated to a city or county from the most recent population forecast by state Office of Financial Management [RCW 36.70A.130(1)(c)]; and
- Reviewing urban growth areas [RCW 36.70A.130(3)].
The public participation program (PPP) will be revised, as necessary, and implemented to provide for early and continuous public participation in the update process. |
