Chapter 14.15
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT PROCESS

Sections:

14.15.010    Effect.

14.15.020    Procedures – Adoption and amendments.

14.15.010 Effect.

The comprehensive plan shall serve as a basic source of reference for legislative, quasi-judicial 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 city council. Where conflicts arise between the comprehensive plan and this title, the provisions of the comprehensive plan shall prevail. (Ord. 06-018 § 1).

14.15.020 Procedures – Adoption and amendments.

The adoption, amendment, modification, or alteration of the comprehensive plan shall be as follows:

(1) At least 60 days prior to the commencement of adoption proceedings, the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic 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 city shall act as lead agency pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act and Chapter 18.04 KMC, State Environmental Policy Act.

(2) After preparing the comprehensive plan or changes thereto, the planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing thereon. 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 city of Kittitas at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing.

(3) 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 or amendments thereto to the city council.

(4) Within 60 days from its receipt of the recommendation for the comprehensive plan as set forth above, the city council shall consider the same at a public hearing. The city council shall take action to approve, disapprove, modify or remand it back to the planning commission for further consideration. The city 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 an ordinance of the city council. The comprehensive plan or its amendments as approved by the city council shall be filed with the city clerk and shall be available for public inspection.

(5) The Kittitas comprehensive plan shall not be amended more than once in any calendar year except in cases of emergency, as established by Chapter 36.70A RCW.

(6) The city will strive to coordinate amendments to the Kittitas comprehensive plan with Kittitas County for those areas located within the urban growth area, but outside of the city limits. (Ord. 06-018 § 1).