Chapter 17.12
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM*

Sections:

17.12.010    Title.

17.12.020    Statutory authority.

17.12.030    Applicability.

17.12.040    Statement of purpose.

17.12.050    Process and procedures.

17.12.060    Additional considerations.

17.12.010 Title.

The ordinance codified into this Chapter shall be known as the Public Participation Program. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

17.12.020 Statutory authority.

This ordinance is adopted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 36.70A RCW. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

17.12.030 Applicability.

This chapter applies to long-range planning issues, including changes to the County comprehensive plan or development regulations, in proceedings not involving a hearing examiner. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

17.12.040 Statement of purpose.

Lewis County encourages public participation in the Growth Management process. The Public Participation Program is to help serve the public interest by detailing the overall process to facilitate public participation. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

17.12.050 Process and procedures.

(1) The Initial Phase–Workshops.

(a) At this phase a topic is introduced to the Planning Commission and the stage is set for an amendment of either the comprehensive plan or the development regulations. New topics may be identified by the public, through the amendment process by the Board of County Commissioners or by the Planning Commission.

(b) The Planning Commission will hold a series of background workshops identifying the legal basis for the decisions to be considered, and proposals for specific modifications. The public is invited to observe the workshops, and the Commission will endeavor to provide adequate time at the end of the meetings for public comment or input. The workshops are not public hearings, and although members of the public may be allowed to comment on materials presented, or to identify new information or questions they may wish the Planning Commission to consider, it is important that such comments and information relate to the topics on the agenda. Requests for new agenda items must be made through the amendment process. The public may submit written comments on any agenda item, at any time.

(2) Phase 2–Planning Commission Hearings.

(a) Once the Planning Commission has completed the workshop portion of its program, it will publish a notice of public hearing and circulate a draft proposal for comment and public hearing.

(b) The draft proposal shall be made available to the public at least 15 days prior to the scheduled hearings. To facilitate public review, copies of the proposal with related materials and information shall be available at the Lewis County Planning Department and on-line at its web page, and at locations in the affected area. Such locations may include:

(i) Timberland Regional libraries (5) located at: Chehalis, Centralia, Salkum, Randle, and Winlock.

(ii) Lewis County Senior Centers (5) located at: Morton, Toledo, Twin Cities (Chehalis), Packwood, and Winlock

(c) Copies of the proposal shall also be sent to the state Office of Community Development for their 60-day review. Materials shall also be sent to all incorporated cities and recognized tribes in the County; and to state, local, and federal agencies which have requested in writing that they receive copies of all notice materials.

(d) Notice of public hearings shall be published in the newspaper of record and in the newspaper of largest circulation in the area affected. The notice shall also be posted in locations of public interest as identified in the public notice provisions of LCC 17.05.100(2)(c) and any provisions of state law. Notices shall be published and posted not less than 10 days prior to the hearings and shall identify the time, place, and purpose of the hearings and the locations where information may be reviewed.

(e) Public hearings shall have three components:

(i) Staff summary of the materials presented;

(ii) Opportunity for public questions and questions from the Planning Commission; and

(iii) Opportunity for public testimony.

(f) During the public testimony portion of the program, witnesses are expected to address the matters on the agenda and not query staff or the Commission. Staff and the Commission will not comment or respond unless specifically invited by the witness. At the conclusion of testimony, a witness may be asked questions to clarify or focus their point. Testimony may be directed to the written proposal, either in favor or opposition, to changes the witness desires the County to consider, and to choices, alternatives, and environmental consequences of the proposed development.

(g) Speakers shall be drawn first from a sign up sheet which will be available at the entry as people enter the hearing hall. The Commission will then hear from others who did not sign up, but who may wish to be heard, time permitting. The Chair, at his or her discretion, may provide reasonable limits on the time each speaker(s) may have, and may or may not permit a speaker to address the Commission a second time based on time available and the need to maintain an orderly public hearing.

(h) The public will generally be given one week after the final public hearing to deliver any final written comments to the Planning Commission.

(i) After public hearings, the Planning Commission shall conduct one or more workshops to consider the matters presented. The Planning Commission shall then make its recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

(3) Board of County Commissioner Hearings

(a) The Board of County Commissioners shall publish a notice of public hearing on the materials directed by the Planning Commission. Such materials shall be made available to the public in the same manner as the Planning Commission materials.

(b) The Board of County Commissioners will follow the same hearing-process format as the Planning Commission, with the same guidelines as set forth above; Except, that all written comments must be received by the Board of County Commissioners by the close of the public participation portion of their final public hearing, to be considered. The County shall consider both substantive and environmental issues.

(c) After the public hearing, the Board of County Commissioners may hold one or more workshops to consider matters raised during the hearings or in the writings submitted, and shall take such final action at a public hearing or meeting, as the Commission deems appropriate and in the public interest.

(4) The Record.

The County will retain a running copy of all materials received or submitted during workshops and public hearings. The record shall identify, at the least:

(a) The time and date of the meeting;

(b) The nature of the proceeding (e.g., workshop, public hearing);

(c) Subject(s) addressed;

(d) Persons addressing the subject(s), and

(e) Documents received during the proceedings.

Minutes shall be maintained concurrently and should be approved at the next scheduled meeting. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

17.12.060 Additional considerations.

(1) All related comprehensive plan amendments and development regulations are to be considered concurrently.

(2) To aid and assure public participation, and to assure consideration of cumulative impacts, the Board of County Commissioners may consider use of citizen advisory committees, technical panels, consultant teams or groups, individually or in concert where appropriate to aid community understanding and processing of GMA issues. No specific format is required, but the goal of public participation is to be encouraged. [Ord. 1179, 2002]

[*Note: this chapter was adopted under Ord. No. 1179, originally enumerated as existing “Ch.17.15”.]