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About Clallam County's 2004 Growth Management Act Compliance Evaluation and Update
(Last Updated: February 2004)
What is Happening?
Clallam County must take action every seven years to review and, if needed, revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations to ensure that the plan and regulations continue to comply with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). The deadline to complete this first seven year update is December 1, 2004.
What is the Growth Management Act (GMA)?
In 1990 the Washington State Legislature passed the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A) to reduce uncoordinated and unplanned growth. The GMA required growing counties and cities like ours to develop a comprehensive plan and adopt implementing development regulations consistent with the planning framework of the Act. After an extensive public process, Clallam County adopted its comprehensive plan in 1995, and subsequently updated existing, or adopted new development regulations to implement the plan. The cities of Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks also adopted their GMA plans and rules in the 1990's.
What Are the Basic Actions Required Under the GMA Update?
The state mandated review includes the following three basic actions:
- Establish a public participation program that identifies procedures and schedules for the review, evaluation, and possible revision process;
- Review relevant plans and regulations and analyze whether there is a need for revisions to comply with the GMA; and
- Take legislative action.
What Does Legislative Action Mean?
Legislative action means the adoption of a resolution or ordinance by your Board of Clallam County Commissioners. The findings for this action need to address the conclusions reached regarding which, if any, plan provisions and/or regulations will be revised, and that the remaining comprehensive plan provisions and development regulations are currently in compliance with the GMA and do not need revision.
How Will The County Address The Required State Review?
Clallam County adopted a Public Participation Plan (Resolution 15, 2004) which describes the procedures and schedules related to the County's review and, if needed, revision of its comprehensive plan and development regulations. The process generally consists of three steps:
- Document those provisions of the comprehensive plan and development regulations that comply with the GMA, and require no additional review.
- Identify update areas (if any) that must be revised this summer and fall to comply with the state deadline of December 2004.
- Identify update areas to make our plan and regulations more responsive to local needs while still complying with the GMA.
Your input is requested in all three of these areas.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A comprehensive plan is a land use document that provides the framework and policy direction to manage where and how growth needs are met. It integrates citizen's ideas, concerns and preferences into statements of how the County should be developed, what development regulations should accomplish, what facilities and services levels are needed, and how publicly funded improvements should support these objectives. Plan elements address land use, housing, capital facilities, utilities, rural/natural resources, transportation, economic development, environment, and cultural resources. Click here for additional background on the comprehensive plan.
What County Regulations Are Subject to Review?
The review also applies to zoning, land division, and critical area regulations that control the type of development that takes place on a lot, how land is divided and made ready for future development, and how sensitive areas (e.g., wetlands) are protected. It also applies to other regulations that place controls on development activities such as building homes and businesses. The GMA requires that development regulations be consistent with the comprehensive plan.
Is Compliance with the GMA the Only Reason for Review?
No. The 1995 Comprehensive Plan will be 10 years old in 2005. The process will involve the first broad and deliberate review of the comprehensive plan and development regulations for compliance with the GMA since plan adoption. Periodic review is important to ensure that the plan and regulations remain responsive to local needs.
Can I Initiate Changes Important to Me?
Your input is needed on the direction the County should take in complying with the GMA and the choices that we face as we focus on the future. The best planning efforts involve many people from all parts of the community. Your elected Board of Clallam County Commissioners will consider your input in determining update areas to be considered in 2004 and beyond.
What Is My Zoning Now And Will It Change Because Of The GMA Update Review? Zoning must be consistent with the comprehensive plan and reflect any policy changes resulting from the review. Changes in zoning designations for specific parcels of land may be one possible outcome of decisions made during the comprehensive plan review. Any proposed changes will be subject to a public hearing prior to adoption. There are several ways to find out the zoning for a particular parcel:
- Cick here to find the zoning for your property.
- By phoning Clallam County at (360) 417-2277, or the appropriate city.
Who Makes the Decisions?
The Clallam County Planning Commission sits in an advisory role to your elected Board of Clallam County Commissioners, making formal decisions which go to the Board as recommendations. The Commission consists of nine citizen volunteers who are appointed to four year terms by the Board. The Board places considerable weight upon the Commission's recommendations. Final decisions regarding the County's GMA Compliance Review and any changes to the County's Comprehensive Plan and development regulations are made by your elected Board of Clallam County Commissioners.
When Would Updates Occur?
It is possible that no updates to the Clallam County's comprehensive plan and development regulations will occur this year. The GMA requires that most amendments to comprehensive plans, occur no more frequently than once per year in order to consider the cumulative impacts of proposed revisions (RCW 36.70A.130). Clallam County's comprehensive plan and zoning code amendment process is structured to comply with this requirement. Other development regulations are not subject to this once a year review, however, any changes must be found consistent with the comprehensive plan and GMA. Any major updates in 2004 will occur following public hearings before the Board .The general schedule for the GMA evaluation and update in 2004 is found within the Public Participation Plan.
What Information Is Available For Me to Evaluate How The County is Managing Growth? Clallam County's Department of Community Development will be preparing a growth monitoring report and working with the Clallam County Planning Commission to develop a GMA Compliance Report. This information will be made available prior to the first set of regional public hearings (start in late-April) at the Clallam County Department of Community Development and also from the County's 2004 GMA Evaluation and Update project page
How Can I Comment?
Submit your written comments to the Clallam County Department of Community Development, 223 East Fourth Street, Suite 5, Port Angeles, WA 98362-3015; Fax Number: (360) 417-2443.
Submit your email comments to: gmaupdate@co.clallam.wa.us.
Attend one of four Regional Informational Open Houses to be held in late-February and March.
Attend one of four Planning Commission Regional Public Hearings to be held in late April and May.
Plan to attend public hearings before the Board of Clallam County Commissioners targeted to be scheduled in July/August 2004.
Other public meetings or hearings may be added or scheduled later.
Where Can I Get More Information and Stay Informed?
Attend regular-meetings of the Clallam County Planning Commission (PC) normally held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 East Fourth Street, in Room 160, starting at 6:30 p.m. The regular meetings in May will follow the public hearing schedule listed above.
Attend one of four Regional Informational Open Houses to be held in late-February and March.
Contact the Clallam County Department of Community Development, Long-Range Planning Division, 223 East 4th Street, Room 058 (lower level), Port Angeles, Washington, (360) 417-2277. Appointments are recommended if you want to meet with staff.
Visit Clallam County's 2004 GMA Evaluation and Update.
Is This The Only Process For Me To Initiate My Changes?
No. Although we encourage your input in the 2004 GMA evaluation and update planning process, Clallam County does have a formal application process for amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning code. Currently, applications for amendments must be received by September 30th for consideration in 2005. For example, this year Clallam County will consider three comprehensive plan and zoning map amendment applications submitted by landowners in 2003 that impact approximately 14 acres. For more information on application requirements and fees, contact the Clallam County Department of Community Development.
Are Other Jurisdictions Subject to GMA Updates?
Clark, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties, and their cities, must also complete their updates by the December 2004 deadline. The deadline for other counties varies between 2005 and 2007. The state legislature is considering a one year extension (December 1, 2005) for Clallam, Jefferson, and Whatcom Counties and all cities within. Due to small populations and low growth rates, 10 of the state's 39 counties are not fully subject to the GMA, but still have to comply with the critical lands (e.g., wetlands) and natural resource lands provisions of the GMA.
What will happen if Clallam County fails to comply with the December 1, 2004 Deadline?
If Clallam County does not complete its review and update by the deadline, it would be vulnerable to a "failure to act" petition to the Western Growth Management Hearing Board. The County would also not be eligible to apply for funding from the Public Works Trust Fund or the Centennial Clean Water account (RCW 36.70A.130(7)) or receive preference for grants and loans subject to the provisions of RCW 43.155.050.
Contact Community Development with questions or comments about the information on this page
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