Chapter 15.56
AMENDMENTS AND REZONES
Sections:
15.56.010 Amendments to the comprehensive plan.
15.56.020 Compilation of proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan.
15.56.030 Amendments to development regulations.
15.56.050 Submittal requirements for requesting a rezone.
15.56.010 Amendments to the comprehensive plan.
A. By state law (RCW 36.70A.130), the city comprehensive plan is to be continually evaluated, but may be amended no more frequently than once a year, except for emergencies, except in the following situations:
1. Initial adoption of a subarea plan;
2. Adoption or amendment of a shoreline master program; or
3. To resolve an appeal filed with the Growth Management Hearings Board or court.
B. All amendments are to be considered at the same time so their cumulative effect can be seen. They are also to be evaluated for internal consistency within the comprehensive plan and for consistency with the Pacific County countywide planning policies.
C. Any person, including applicants, citizens, city council members, planning commissioners, city staff and staff of other agencies, may suggest an amendment to the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 919 § 8, 2021; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.56.020 Compilation of proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan.
A. Suggested amendments must be submitted to the city planner on a form provided by the city.
B. The city planner will compile and maintain a list of suggested changes and will ensure that the accumulated suggestions are considered by the city during its next annual continuing evaluation and review of the comprehensive plan pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130. However, after appropriate public participation, a county or city may adopt amendments or revisions to its comprehensive plan that conform with RCW 36.70A.130 whenever an emergency exists or to resolve an appeal of a comprehensive plan filed with the Growth Management Hearings Board or with the court.
C. The planning commission will review the applications for amendments to the comprehensive plan and will submit a written recommendation to the city council regarding the proposed amendment.
D. Upon receipt of the planning commission’s recommendation, and after due notice, the city council will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments.
E. Following the public hearing the city council will adopt or reject the proposed amendments.
F. The list of suggested changes received since the last annual evaluation and review will be available at City Hall for review by the public. (Ord. 919 § 8, 2021; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.56.030 Amendments to development regulations.
A. Development regulations may be amended at any time; provided, that following the amendment(s), they continue to be in compliance with the comprehensive plan. The city shall assure that proposed regulatory or administrative actions do not result in an unconstitutional taking of private property in compliance with RCW 36.70A.370.
B. Any person, including applicants, citizens, city councilmembers, planning commissioners, city staff and staff of other agencies, may suggest an amendment to a city development regulation.
C. Suggested amendments must be submitted to the city planner on a form provided by the city.
D. Upon receipt of an application for amendments to development regulations, the city planner will contact relevant city departments to determine the availability and capacity of capital facilities necessary to accommodate the level of development that could occur if the development regulations amendment were to be granted. If capital facilities are determined to be adequate to accommodate the amendment to this title, the city planner will schedule and advertise a city council public hearing to consider the amendment proposal.
E. The planning commission will review the application for amendments based on the following considerations:
1. The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan;
2. The proposed amendment will not adversely impact the general health, safety, and welfare of the community;
3. Findings of the city planner regarding availability and capacity of capital facilities, according to relevant city departments;
4. Recommendations of staff and public input.
F. The planning commission will submit a written recommendation to the city council regarding the proposed amendment.
G. Upon receipt of the planning commission’s recommendation, and after due notice, the city council will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments to the development regulations.
H. Following the public hearing, the city council will adopt or reject the proposed amendment or enact a modified proposal that is within the scope of matters considered in the hearing. (Ord. 919 § 8, 2021; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.56.040 Rezones.
A. Since the passage of the Growth Management Act, before a rezone can be approved the future land use map in the comprehensive plan must also be amended, following the procedures outlined in Section 15.56.020.
B. Rezones must be based on a change of circumstances or community needs. They cannot be based exclusively on the desires of public interest groups. The property owner/applicant must prove that a parcel-specific rezone is valid.
C. Valid reasons for rezoning include:
1. To make the zoning map consistent with the comprehensive plan; or
2. A change in circumstances or community needs.
D. The public hearings required for a rezone may be held in conjunction with the public hearings for the amendment to the comprehensive plan. (Ord. 919 § 8, 2021; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)
15.56.050 Submittal requirements for requesting a rezone.
Submittal requirements for rezone requests include:
A. Applications for rezone, on forms provided by the city;
B. SEPA environmental checklist; and
C. Application fee (see current fee schedule). (Ord. 919 § 8, 2021; Ord. 627 (part), 1999)