Chapter 14.20
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
Sections:
14.20.020 Procedures – Adoption and amendments.
14.20.010 Effect.
The comprehensive plan shall serve as a basic source of reference for legislative and administrative action. The plan shall be consulted as a prerequisite to the establishment, improvement, abandonment, or vacation of public streets, parks, public buildings, zoning changes and other subjects that may from time to time arise that are addressed therein. The effects of such changes on the community shall be considered by the planning commission with reference to the comprehensive plan and a recommendation made to the town council. Deviations from the direction provided by the comprehensive plan are not permissible. Where conflicts arise between the comprehensive plan and this chapter, the provisions of the comprehensive plan shall prevail. (Ord. 671 § 1, 2006).
14.20.020 Procedures – Adoption and amendments.
The adoption, amendment, modification, or alteration of the comprehensive plan shall be as follows:
A. At least 60 days prior to the commencement of adoption proceedings, the Washington State Office of Community Development and other state agencies must be provided copies of the proposed changes, including the required environmental review documents prepared pursuant to SEPA, for their review and comment. The town shall act as lead agency pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act and Chapter 18.02 WMC, State Environmental Policy Act Implementation, for those proposals affecting the unincorporated portions of the UGA. The SEPA documents and the 60-day review notice shall clearly state that this is a combined review period for Douglas County and the town of Waterville, and shall be the only review and comment period applicable to those proposed amendments affecting the unincorporated urban growth areas.
B. After preparing the comprehensive plan or changes thereto, the planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing. Notice of the time, place and purpose of such public hearing shall be given by at least one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the town of Waterville at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.
C. Upon completion of the hearing or hearings on the comprehensive plan or amendments thereto, the planning commission shall make such changes as it deems necessary or appropriate. It shall then transmit a copy of its recommendations for the comprehensive plan amendments to the town council.
D. Within 60 days from its receipt of the recommendation for the comprehensive plan as set forth above, the town council shall consider the same at a public hearing. The town council shall take action to approve, disapprove, modify or remand it back to the planning commission for further consideration. The town council shall specify the time within which the planning commission shall report back with its findings and recommendations on the matter referred to it. The final form and content of the comprehensive plan shall be determined by a resolution of the town council. The comprehensive plan or its amendments as approved by the town council shall be filed with the town clerk and shall be available for public inspection.
E. The comprehensive plan shall not be amended more than once in any calendar year except in cases of emergency. An emergency includes those items affecting the general public’s health, safety and welfare or as ordered by the Growth Management Hearings Board or other court.
F. The town will coordinate the amendment of the comprehensive plan with the comprehensive plan amendment process of Douglas County for those areas located within the urban growth area, but outside of the town limits. Generally, the town will receive applications pertaining to those areas as forwarded from Douglas County by March 15th of each year, and will review and make a recommendation on those items, when applicable, to the county by August 15th of each year. (Ord. 671 § 1, 2006).