HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2015-071 Public Participation Guide for the Comprehensive Plan Update Program RESOLUTION NO. R- 2015 -071
A RESOLUTION authorizing the City's Planning Division staff and Yakima Planning
Commission to implement a Public Participation Guide for the
Comprehensive Plan Update Program, pursuant to the Washington
State Growth Management Act (GMA) RCW 36.70A.130 & RCW
36.70A.140.
WHEREAS, the GMA requires cities to take action to review and, if needed, revise
their comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure that the plan and
regulations comply with the requirements of this chapter, RCW 36 70A.130, and,
WHEREAS, the GMA requires cities to establish public participation plans
identifying procedures and providing for early and continuous public participation in the
development and updating of comprehensive plans pursuant to RCW 36.70A.140, and,
WHEREAS, the Public Participation Guide identifies opportunities for public
outreach, and numerous meetings for the receiving of important public input throughout
the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Yakima Planning Commission, with assistance from the Planning
Division staff, is responsible for implementing the Public Participation Guide, and
conducting the necessary public participation opportunities in updating the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
WHEREAS, On April 29 2015 the City of Yakima Planning Commission
reviewed, discussed, and voted to recommend approval of the Public Participation Guide;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that approval of such Public
Participation Guide is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Yakima and will
promote the general health, safety and welfare, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The City's Planning Division and Yakima Planning Commission is hereby
authorized to implement the Public Participation Guide for the Comprehensive Plan
Update Program, a copy of the Guide is attached hereto, as "Exhibit A ", and by reference
made a part hereof, now, therefore;
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 19 day of May, 2015.
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ATTEST Micah C ley, Mayor
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 8.
For Meeting of: May 19, 2015
ITEM TITLE: Resolution authorizing implementation of the Public Participation
Guide for the Comprehensive Plan Update Program
SUBMITTED BY: Joan Davenport, AICP, Community Development Director
Valerie Smith, AICP, Senior Planner (509) 575 -6042
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Resolution authorizing the City's Planning Division staff and Yakima Planning Commission to implement
the detailed Public Participation Guide for the Comprehensive Plan Update Program.
• The Public Participation Guide identifies opportunities for public outreach and numerous meetings for the
receiving of important public input throughout the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Guide
determines the "how to" encourage early and continuous public involvement during the Update Program.
The opportunities identified in the Guide are endorsed by the Yakima Planning Commission as the best
methods to reach out to the community; specifically, citizens, stakeholders and special interest groups.
Resolution: X Ordinance:
Other (Specify):
Contract: Contract Term:
Start Date: End Date:
Item Budgeted: Amount:
Funding Source/Fiscal Impact:
Strategic Priority: Improve the Built Environment
Insurance Required? No
Mail to:
Phone:
APPROVED FOR .�
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
t
III RECOMMENDATION:
•
The Yakima Planning Commission recommended approval of the Public Participation Guide at its
meeting on April 29, 2015.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
Resolution _PublicParticipationGuide- 5/11/2015 Resolution
CompPlanUpdate
❑ Public Participation Guide 5/11/2015 Backup Material
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pi EXHIBIT A
CITY OF YAKIMA `/ of Yakima
anning Comprehensive Plan Update Program
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2040 HORIZON
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDE
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Public Participation Opportunities Related to the Update of Yakima's
Comprehensive Plan and Associated Development Regulations
Adopted: Spring 2015
DRAFT
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Comprehensive Plan 2040 Horizon — Public Participation Plan 1111
The Comprehensive Plan is a requirement of the Growth Management Act (GMA), and is a
document that looks toward a 20 -year horizon for the City of Yakima. Its core purpose is to help
define — through goals, objectives and policies —how Yakima should accommodate forecasted
household and job growth, provide open space and recreational opportunities, and best manage
traffic and other vital services. It has been 10 years since the City has updated its Vision and
Comprehensive Plan maps and elements, therefore, it's time to update its Comprehensive Plan
to bring into focus the vision for Yakima for the next 20 years. The Periodic Update process
requires the City to engage citizens in a conversation about the City's future. Neighbors,
business owners, community groups and students are needed to participate in important
conversations about land use, transportation, parks, open space, and other vital services.
In addition to updating the core element chapters of the Comprehensive Plan, including, but not
limited to, Land Use, Utilities, Housing, Capital Facilities, and Natural Environment. Also, the City
is developing long -range plans for transportation, a new bike plan, and a downtown master plan.
Portions of these plans will be integrated into the Comprehensive Plan, where appropriate.
Public involvement is vital to these initiatives. We hope that you will join the conversation by
sharing your voice, attending meetings, and learning more through educational opportunities.
Project Timeline •
(Administrative work, Scope of Work etc.) Fall 2014 - Spring 2015
Project Framing and Visioning Winter 2015- Summer 2015
Element Review and Revision Winter 2016 -Fall 2016
Environmental Review Spring 2016 - Spring 2017
Final Approval Spring 2017
Public participation is a key component of this two year planning effort. This Public Participation
Guide has been created for two purposes. First, to identify potential stakeholders and invite
them to participate in the planning process. Second, to guide public participation to ensure
early and continuous involvement for the duration of the decision - making process. The efforts
will continue to evolve throughout the life of the Update process.
The primary contact person for the City of Yakima's Comprehensive Plan 2040 Update is:
Valerie Smith, AICP
Planning Division
129 N 2 Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 575 -6042
valerie.smithPyakimawa.gov
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• The City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) will take the lead as the advisory body for this
project. YPC meetings are regularly scheduled and open to the public with opportunities for the
public to speak at each meeting on both agenda items and non - agenda items. Staff will ensure
that City Council receives regular briefings on the work of the YPC through the Council's Built
Environment Committee.
Public Participation Plan
State law requires the City to invite citizens and stakeholders to participate in the
Comprehensive Plan update process. Public participation is also very important to the City of
Yakima as an effective tool to balance competing interests and needs that are inherent in the
land use decision - making processes. It is important that information be made available so any
interested person can understand the materials and participate. The City will encourage
participation in several ways.
Stakeholders
A variety of groups, agencies, and individuals may have interest in the update of Yakima's Comp
Plan. These stakeholders can be categorized as follows:
• Other Governmental Agencies
o Adjacent jurisdictions: Union Gap, Selah, Ellensburg, Yakima County
o State Agencies: Washington State Dept. of Commerce, Washington State Dept. of
III Ecology, Washington State Dept. of Transportation, and Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife.
o Regional organizations: COG, MPO
o Tribal government: Yakama Nation
• Quasi - governmental Groups
o School Districts: Yakima, West Valley
o Yakima Housing Authority
• Residents and Property Owners
o Neighborhood Associations
• Business Groups and Associations
o Business organizations: Yakima Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce, Yakima's Historic Preservation Commission, Downtown Association of
Yakima, among others.
o Trade organizations: Home Builders Association, Association of Realtors Etc.
• Environmental Organizations and Conservation Groups
o Local groups
o Regional Groups
o Local Chapters of National groups
Outreach to the general public will include posters in public places such as libraries, community
facilities, and businesses. City of Yakima residents may be sent a notice in their utility billing
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statements, and project information may be circulated in the Yakima Herald Republic, City •
newsletters, City's Public Access Channel (YPAC), and on the City's website, among other
communication tools.
Throughout the Comprehensive Plan Update process, the City will maintain several channels for
communication and public participation One of the primary tools the City will use, is a City
webpage dedicated to the project This website will include notices for upcoming public
meetings, documents available for review, and other information related to the project. Visitors
to the website can also sign up to be on the interested parties list. Ideally, the website would
include interactive features that would allow an on -going exchange of information and ideas
related to the project. A dedicated email address "Ask Planning" ask.planning @yakimawa.gov,
is also available for questions and comments on this project.
Stakeholders who express interest in participating will continue to receive notices and
informational mailings from the City. Joining the interested parties list, by providing contact
information to receive updates about the project by email or post, will be the best way for an
individual to consistently receive notices and messages about the process.
A series of public workshops and public hearings will be held throughout the project. Prior to
public workshops or public hearings, notices will be posted in general community locations and
distributed through various City channels identified herein and per the Yakima Municipal Code
(YMC) Title 16 notice requirements. These methods are intended to inform the general public, •
or those who have not provided individual contact information, of key opportunities for
participation in the Comprehensive Plan update.
Document Review
Update of the Comprehensive Plan will result in several work products that require review.
Some of these products include: draft policy changes, draft code changes, issue papers, staff
reports, and environmental review documents It is expected that the City will consult with
stakeholders in the development of documents and other work products for this update.
Once drafted, all documents will be available for official review by the public. Comment periods
will be clearly specified and advertised through the means identified in this public participation
plan. The City will maintain a database of all comments received throughout the Comprehensive
Plan Update process, which will be available for public review upon request.
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process offers additional opportunities to seek public
input. The City anticipates integrating SEPA review into the proposal through the Growth
Management Act /SEPA integration process Prior to Planning Commission making a final
recommendation on the updated Comprehensive Plan and any related changes to the YMC, the
City will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, which provides the opportunity for
additional specific input on environmental impacts of the proposal.
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• Community Open Houses
The City of Yakima Planning Division will hold community visioning open houses in June through
October 2015. These open houses will be scheduled at times that are more likely to be
accessible to the majority of citizens and stakeholders (i.e. weekday evenings). The open houses
will feature a presentation covering four basic subject areas:
1. GMA requirements for review and update of comprehensive plans and development
regulations.
2. City of Yakima growth trends, forecasts, and accommodations.
3. Preliminary GMA compliance evaluation results.
4. Visioning for the various elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
The community open houses will also feature information stations covering various comp plan
elements and planning areas (e.g. land use, transportation, etc.) These stations will be staffed to
answer questions and gather public input.
Comprehensive Plan Basics
The Comprehensive Plan is a document adopted by the Yakima City Council. It describes how
Yakima will continue to provide necessary facilities and services to accommodate job and
population growth. Most importantly, it is a statement of the kind of community Yakima wants
to become, envisioned by those who live, work, recreate, and visit here. The Comprehensive
• Plan includes a Vision Statement —a verbal snapshot of our desired character over the next 20-
years —and general Framework Goals to implement that Vision.
Why is the Comprehensive Plan important to me?
The Comprehensive Plan is used as a guide to decide where housing and business
growth should occur, what transportation system(s) we will have to support growth,
what types of businesses and jobs we want to encourage, what types of housing we
should have in the community, how we can protect our environmentally sensitive
areas and what values we want reflected in the character of our community The
Plan is the basis for zoning, which in turn guides development permits in the City.
Therefore, it is important to be involved in the formation of the Comprehensive Plan
to influence decisions on future development activity.
The Comprehensive Plan also establishes our desired public facilities and services for
roads, parks, sewer, water, fire and police protection and funding of those facilities
and services through the six -year capital improvement program. It provides policies
to support economic development that encourages what business and thus jobs and
services locate here.
Who decides what the Comprehensive Plan says?
The City engages the community to develop a shared vision for Yakima based on
common values, desires and goals. The Planning Commission prepares a draft
Comprehensive Plan based on the community's vision, state and regional
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requirements, and planning principles, such as Smart Growth Principles. Public •
meetings and hearings are held to get public comments on the draft Plan. The
Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council and the Council
approves the final Comprehensive Plan.
Written Comments
Written comments are welcome throughout the GMA Evaluation and Update process.
Opportunities for formal public comment at key points of the planning process will be provided
at public hearings before the City of Yakima Planning Commission and the City Council. The
project timeline below shows when public hearings are anticipated to be held. Additional
information on planning public hearings can be found in the location newspaper, the City
website, etc., and as described in this Public Participation Plan. To ensure consideration, written
comments must be received by the City of Yakima prior to the close of the public hearing.
All written comments submitted by mail or fax should be sent to:
City of Yakima Community Development Department
129 N. 2 Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Fax: (509) 575 -6105
ask.planning@yakimawa.gov, please reference the Comprehensive Plan 2040 Update in your
email.
•
Joint Planning Commission and Elected Officials Review Meeting
A work session will be held jointly between the City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC), City
Council, and Director of Community Development to review preliminary evaluation findings.
The joint meeting will be scheduled following the conclusion of the regional community open
houses described above.
Final GMA Compliance Evaluation
The YPC will work together with the Department of Community Development, and interested
parties, to review the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations for GMA compliance.
The evaluation process will identify needed update areas to comply with the GMA, and may
identify other recommended "areas of update" to address local or regional needs During this
phase specific proposed amendments to the comprehensive land use and zoning map will be
considered and the results of the evaluation will be compiled in a Draft GMA Compliance Report.
The YPC will conduct at least one public hearing to gather and consider public input on the
Update, any proposed amendment applications, and any other proposed specific amendments.
The YPC will forward their recommendations and findings to the City Council for further action.
The Yakima City Council will hold at least one public hearing on the results of the Update review
and analysis. The public hearing(s) will also address any proposed revisions to the
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• comprehensive plan or development regulations, including any proposed amendment
applications.
The City of Yakima will publish a notice of the adopted GMA Compliance document, and any
adoption of updates to the City's comprehensive plan or development regulations. The date the
notice is published will initiate a 60 -day appeal period pursuant to RCW 36.70A.290(2) on the
scope of the City's GMA compliance review and analysis, and adoption of any specific
amendments.
GMA Compliance Review Meetings
Eight (8) regular - scheduled meetings of the City of Yakima Planning Commission are planned
from January 2017 thru April 2017 to evaluate the Comprehensive Plan and development
regulations for compliance with the GMA. Regular- meetings are normally held on the second
and fourth Wednesday of each month at City Hall, 129 N. 2 Street, in the City Hall Council
Chambers, starting at 3:30p.m. All meetings are open to the public, formal opportunities for
citizen review and comment on the results of the Planning Commission's GMA compliance
evaluation will be provided at the scheduled public hearings (see below) tentatively planned for
Winter /Spring, 2017. There may be opportunity to hold special meetings with the Planning
Commission that are more likely to be accessible to the majority of citizens and stakeholders (i.e.
weekday evenings.)
• Tentative Schedule for community visioning, open houses and plan review:
Winter 2015
` Project framing & analysis
Spring 2015 of current conditions
Summer 2015
Visioning &
Fall 2015 {`` General public comments
Winter 2016
Comp Plan Elements review,
Spring /Summer < GMA compliance review &
Fall 2016 public comments
Winter 2017 Plan Adoption Process
Spring 2017 <~' & Public Hearings
All outreach efforts will be documented by the City and available for public review upon request.
Growth Management Act (GMA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Integration
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Throughout the Comprehensive Plan Update, the City will be reviewing the project under SEPA •
review. All public meetings, workshops and outreach opportunities, as well as, any documents
produced for this project will be opportunities for public comment on the environmental aspects
of this project. The integration of SEPA and GMA will result in improved planning and project
decisions from an environmental prospective. Just as GMA goals cannot be addressed without
consideration of environmental factors, the goals of SEPA are benefited by the examination of
the "big picture" and identification of mitigation to address cumulative impacts of development
that occurs during GMA planning. All comments and public input received during the Public
Participation portion of the Update program will be included in the Integrated SEPA /GMA
document pursuant to WAC 197 -11.
Conclusion
The update of Yakima's Comprehensive Plan is a collaborative effort in which the City will
engage the public, businesses, governmental agencies, and other interested groups. The City
website, public postings, community events, public meetings, and workshops will be used to
reach out to interested parties and get them involved in the process.
The City of Yakima will utilize a variety of methods to inform the public about upcoming public
meetings, availability of relevant planning documents and reports and important milestones
related to the Comprehensive Plan 2040 Update process, including, but not limited to:
1. Internet: the City of Yakima will establish a website for the project where interested •
community members may go to for status updates, reports, meeting notices and
agendas, and other project information. The website will also include links to the City of
Yakima comprehensive plan and development regulations. Follow the Comprehensive
Plan 2040 Update at http://www.yakimawa.gov/ services /planning /comprehensive -plan-
update/
2. Mailing List: the City of Yakima will maintain a list of interested parties to receive notices
of scheduled public meetings. Notice will be provided either by mail or email.
Individuals and organizations interested in being on the mailing list should contact City of
Yakima Planning Division, at (509) 575 -6183 or ask.planning@yakimawa.gov.
3. News Releases: the City of Yakima will issues news releases announcing public meetings,
hearings, and comment periods to local media, including, but not limited to: the City's
own Y -PAC channel, the Yakima Herald Republic, KIMA, KNDO, local radio, etc.
4. Hearings- Decisions: Public notice of all public hearings and any decisions regarding the
review and update of the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations will be
published under "Legals" in the Yakima Herald Republic classified section. Public
notification of all hearings will be provided at least 10 days before the date of the
hearing. The notices shall include the date, time, location, and purpose of the hearing.
The City of Yakima may pay for other public notices in addition to this legal notification.
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• Public notification on the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan 2040, or other specific
development regulations will follow the provisions of the YMC Title 16 and RCW 36.70A.
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