Chapter 21.87
AREA-WIDE ZONING MAP AMENDMENT PROCEDURES
Sections:
21.87.050 Public participation.
21.87.080 Comprehensive Plan consistency.
21.87.010 Purpose.
This chapter establishes a mechanism for area-wide reclassification of land from one zoning district to another zoning district. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.020 Applicability.
(1) This chapter applies to an amendment of the City’s official zoning map adopted pursuant to WMC 21.20.020. This chapter does not apply to a site-specific reclassification of land that is a quasi-judicial rezone subject to WMC 21.84.060.
(2) The review procedures set forth in this chapter shall apply to an area-wide zoning map amendment:
(a) That is consistent with and implements the land use map of the Comprehensive Plan; and
(b) An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is not required.
(3) If an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan is required, the City may:
(a) Combine the area-wide zoning map amendment with the Comprehensive Plan amendment under the procedures set forth in Chapter 21.88 WMC; or
(b) Process the area-wide zoning map amendment separately from the Comprehensive Plan amendment, provided WMC 21.87.080 is fulfilled. (Ord. 737 § 33, 2022; Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.030 Initiation.
An area-wide zoning map amendment may be initiated by the City Council, Planning Commission, or City staff. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.040 Review procedures.
The following shall apply to processing an amendment to the official zoning map:
(1) The amendment shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
(2) The City staff shall prepare a report on the amendment to be presented to the Planning Commission.
(3) The Planning Commission shall hold at least one public hearing on the amendment. Notice of hearing shall be provided pursuant to WMC 21.87.060.
(4) After consideration of the amendment and the criteria in WMC 21.87.070, the Planning Commission shall vote and transmit a copy of its recommendation to the City Council.
(5) The City Council at a public meeting shall consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation. The City Council may schedule public hearings as necessary to support consideration of the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
(6) The City Council may approve, approve with modifications, remand to the Planning Commission for further proceedings, or deny the amendment.
(7) The procedures in this section shall constitute the minimum necessary and nothing in this section shall prohibit the City from requiring additional procedures to allow for more effective public participation. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.050 Public participation.
(1) Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.140, the City’s efforts to amend area-wide the zoning map shall include early and continuous public participation.
(2) The City shall provide broad dissemination of proposals and alternatives, opportunity for written comments, public meetings after effective notice, provision for open discussion, communication programs, information services, and consideration of and response to public comments. Notice shall be reasonably calculated to provide notification to property owners and other affected and interested individuals, tribes, government agencies, businesses, school districts, and organizations of proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.060 Notice.
(1) Published notice of a public hearing shall be given in a newspaper of general circulation within the City boundaries at least 15 calendar days prior to the hearing date. However, subsequent hearing dates on the same proposal being considered by the same hearing body do not require additional publication of notice.
(2) Posted notice shall be given in the same manner as Planning Commission and City Council regular meetings.
(3) The content of the notice shall include:
(a) The time and place of the public hearing;
(b) A purpose statement which succinctly describes the proposal;
(c) A statement of the right of any person to submit written comments and to appear at the public hearing and give comments orally; and
(d) A statement of the availability of the official file.
(4) The requirements for notice shall not limit the City’s ability to providing additional means of noticing.
(5) Notice of the area-wide zoning map amendment shall be transmitted to State agencies consistent with RCW 36.70A.106.
(6) Mailed notice sent by first class postage may be given to all property owners with property being considered for a reclassification of the zoning. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.070 Approval criteria.
The City Council may amend the official zoning map if it finds:
(1) The proposed amendment is consistent with the goals, policies and provisions of the Woodinville Comprehensive Plan;
(2) The proposed amendment bears a substantial relation to public health, safety, or welfare; and
(3) The proposed amendment advances the public interest of the community. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.080 Comprehensive Plan consistency.
If a Comprehensive Plan amendment is required to satisfy the approval criteria in WMC 21.87.070, approval of the Comprehensive Plan amendment is required prior to or concurrently with the granting of an approval of an amendment to the official zoning map. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)
21.87.090 Appeal.
City Council action on an ordinance to adopt amendments to the official zoning map is a final decision but may be reviewable by filing a petition for review with the Central Growth Management Hearings Board in accordance with RCW 36.70A.290, except as otherwise provided by law. (Ord. 683 § 4 (Att. B), 2019)