Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Groups Workshop - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan Update Advisory Groups Workshop June 21, 2016 at 4:00PM Kittitas County Event Center, Armory Hall

Agenda Part I: Project Overview  Overview of Growth Management Act (GMA) and Comprehensive Plan Update process  Overview of public visioning process to date Part II: Purpose of Advisory Groups  Structure of the groups  Timeline and expected commitment Part III: Break-out Groups  Meet your peers and schedule next meeting

Part I Project Overview

Why are we here? 8 Year Periodic Update of the 20 Year Plan due June 30, 2017

Growth Management Act, RCW 36.70A The GMA sets planning goals and requirements for local jurisdictions, with emphasis on deference to local planning actions. The GMA’s fourteen planning goals include the following:  sprawl reduction  property rights  urban growth  natural resource industries  affordable housing  historic lands and buildings  economic development  permit processing  open space and recreation  public facilities and services  regional transportation  shoreline management  environmental protection  early and continuous public participation

Growth Management Act, RCW 36.70A The GMA sets planning goals and requirements for local jurisdictions, with emphasis on deference to local planning actions. The GMA’s fourteen planning goals include the following:  sprawl reduction  property rights  urban growth  natural resource industries  affordable housing  historic lands and buildings  economic development  permit processing  open space and recreation  public facilities and services  regional transportation  shoreline management  environmental protection  early and continuous public participation

Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan  The Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision for the future of Kittitas County during a 20-year period and responds to the requirements of the GMA  The existing Plan contains the following elements: Existing Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan Elements Land Use Economic Development Transportation Rural and Resource Lands Capital Facilities Recreation and Parks Housing Utilities Subarea Plan Elements: Snoqualmie Pass Subarea Plan & Mountainstar Planned Resort Subarea Plan

Conference of Governments (COG)  Update Countywide Planning Policies  Joint study – Cities and County • Work sessions: July 2015 – May 2016 • Population projections and allocations • BOCC expected adoption – July 5, 2016 • Employment projections and allocation • Land Capacity Analysis

Project Roles and Responsibilities  The Public and Advisory Groups will provide input that will be considered by the Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Staff  Planning Commission will be the lead advisory body, which entails receiving public comment and forwarding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners  Board of Commissioners is the decision making authority, and will be involved throughout the process  Staff and Consultants will facilitate the process by conducting outreach, providing technical expertise, preparing recommendations, and facilitating environmental review

Visioning Summary Participants’ major topics – all meeting locations 60 50 Natural Environment Economic Development 40 Rural and Resource Lands Recreation and Parks 30 Transportation 20 Housing Land Use 10 0

Visioning Summary T op 10 Participant Themes 90 Maintaining accessibility to outdoor recreation areas Water resources 80 Resource tourism 70 Parks and recreation management 60 Transit services 50 Affordable housing 40 Density 30 Employment opportunities 20 Forest lands 10 Agricultural lands 0

Visioning Summary Fringe Themes 50 Non-motorized trails 45 Shopping local and supporting small businesses Rural character 40 Accessibility to natural areas 35 Bicycle and pedestrian circulation Range of housing types 30 Balance of residential and commercial uses Industrial and manufacturing land uses 25 Urban/Rural division of land 20 Parks Land use regulations 15 Rural residential (1 dwelling/5+ acres) 10 Traffic Non-motorized transportation 5 Land management 0

Draft Vision Statement Kittitas County is a region with a distinct sense of place based on the quality and diversity of our natural and built environment, valued recreational opportunities, respected rural working lands, unique regional character, and commitment to a high quality of life. Kittitas County addresses challenges of future growth in a direct manner. Coordinated planning and suitable density patterns ensure that rural areas, natural areas, and working lands are sustained for the benefit of current and future generations. An important factor in the County's growth is fostering a diverse economy with a variety of employment opportunities achieved through a balance of commercial, industrial, and manufacturing areas located and sized to ensure opportunities for rural-based employment. The diverse housing needs of current and future residents is met by providing a range of housing types that ensure adequate and affordable housing options. Kittitas County enhances its regional character by preserving the diversity of existing resource tourism and promoting future opportunities for expansion and establishment of new resource tourism opportunities. The County protects, conserves, and responsibly manages natural resources through education, coordination, facilitation, and long term planning. The cornerstone of the County's approach to planning is conducting activities in a manner that encourages citizen involvement, enhances public trust, and promotes mutual understanding.

Part II Purpose of Advisory Groups

Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan  The Public Participation Program (PPP) was adopted on July 21, 2015 and outlines a process for using advisory groups to inform the Plan’s development.  The Advisory Group topics were selected based on the public input received at the visioning and report-back meetings while using the Comprehensive Plan elements as a guide: Proposed Advisory Groups Land Use Economic Development Transportation Resource Lands Housing Recreation and Natural Environment

What is an Advisory Group? Public input is a cornerstone of the planning process and required by the GMA. Advisory Groups allow staff to:  Gather more specific public input from citizens with specialization in areas related to the Comprehensive Plan elements  Debate merits of new, revised, or updated policy direction as it relates to Plan implementation  Critically review draft goals and policies prior to adoption  Implement the Public Participation Program

What is a Working Group? The Working Group comprises selected members of each advisory group and will help staff to:  Review goals and policies in the context of the full Draft Comprehensive Plan  Review proposed amendments to development regulations and other implementing measures  Provide input on land use maps

How Will This Process Unfold? • Review Draft Plan • Staff outreach to • Discuss draft and regulations stakeholders Advisory Working goals and policies prior to Planning Form • Form groups Group Group related to group Commission Advisory based on work topic area work Recommendation responses Groups • Nominate rep for • Provide input and sessions sessions • Establish meeting Working Group suggested edits dates and times on Draft Plan April – June 2016 *June - October 2016 *October– December 2016 *April – May 2015 *May 2015 *May – June 2015 *Anticipated Dates *Anticipated Dates

Expected Commitment Participation on an Advisory Group is important to Plan development and helps refine the County’s policy direction. Advisory Group participants are asked to:  Attend all meetings and participate in group discussions  Be thoughtful in reviewing and commenting on Comp Plan materials *April – May 2015 *May 2015 *May – June 2015 *Anticipated Dates

Expected Commitment  Members of the Advisory Groups are expected to attend approximately 2-4 meetings.  Members who are then selected to participate in the Working Group, are expected to attend an additional 4-5 meetings and provide in- depth review of goals and policies, land use maps, and more.  Working Group members may be asked to provide public comment during recommendation and adoption public hearings. Advisory Group members may be asked to revisit goal and policy work as it *April – May 2015 *May 2015 *May – June 2015 relates to implementing regulations, if necessary *Anticipated Dates

Update Process

Part III Break-out Groups

Break-out Session Introductions—get to know your peers’ interests and backgrounds 1. Discuss your availability for meetings and schedule group meetings 2. using the sign-up sheet Review the materials provided prior to the meeting by County Staff 3. and begin discussions within your Advisory Groups. Consider: • How does my experience help the County refine goals and policies • How can our group collaborate to provide valuable input on the Comprehensive Plan and the County’s policy direction