Public Process for the 2004 Comprehensive Plan Update

The following was adopted pursuant to City Resolution No. 316 on 9 Feb 2004.

Background for Plan Update

Pursuant to the Growth Management Act, as amended by the legislature over the past decade, the City will be required to update its Urban Growth Area Comprehensive Plan (FUGA).  As part of that update process, the City wants to provide various opportunities to the public to comment and participate in that process.   The timeline below indicates how the City proposes to ensure the public of that opportunity.  This timeline is proposed to comply with RCW 36.70A.130(2) and is being published in the City’s journal of record, as well as being made provided on the City’s website.  In addition, information regarding this process will be disseminated to the best extent possible by City staff.  Copies of this may be obtained from the City by contacting Mr. Rod Fleck or Mrs. De Ann Horton at 360/374-5412 – or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or dhur.forks@centurytel.net This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This process may be subject to change or modification as determined to be required by the City.   Individuals wanting copies of the notices and agendas associated with meetings identified within this process may request those by contacting Mrs. Horton.

Timeline for updates

1. Publication of Notice Requesting Issues and Updates – 11 & 18 Feb 2004
City shall publish notice in the Forks Forum indicating that proposed updates and issues of concern can be brought before the Forks City Council at either its 23 Feb 04 or 8 Mar 04 meeting; that issues can also be brought before the Forks Planning Commission during its meetings on the 23 Feb and 22 Mar; and, that issues can be submitted to the Planning Commission up through 1 April 2004.  (Additional notices shall be published regarding each specific hearing).  Notice will indicate that the City has already agreed to update the following elements, pursuant to an agreement with CTED’s GMA division:  Affordable Housing, Capital Facilities, Utilities and Land Use.  Transportation will be reviewed for compliance with various requirements.
2. Initial Public Hearings

a.      City Council – 23 Feb & 8 Mar 2004.
Purpose is to only collect any issues of concern or specific requests regarding the comprehensive plan as it currently exists to include proposed changes to land use maps, etc.  All issues will be forwarded to the Forks Planning Commission for their consideration and development.  Council will take no action on those subjects brought before it.

b.      Forks Planning Commission – 23 Feb and 22 Mar.
Purpose is to provide the public an additional forum to indicate areas that need to be addressed in the comprehensive plan to include both the narrative and also the land use maps associated with the Comprehensive Plan that serve as the basis for the underling development regulations.

c.       Affordable Housing Advocates Meeting – 26 Feb.
Purpose is to have an evening meeting with the affordable housing advocates and interested parties to have that group help identify issues and updates needed in that specific element to include possible implementation strategies for identified issues.

d.      Forks Economic Development Steering Committee.
Working with the Clallam County EDC, FEDSC will develop an approach to solicit public comments for a draft proposed economic development chapter for the Comprehensive Plan.  This optional chapter may be adopted after the Comp Plan Updates.

3.   Land Use Map Updates

a.   New digital versions of the existing zoning/land use maps will be made available for public review and reference at the City and the Forks Library in late March 2004.

b.   In addition to the public hearings above, the public will be asked to provide comment on updates to the Land Use Maps at the following meetings of the Forks Planning Commission or in writing up through the meeting on 21 June 2004:

i.    26 Apr 2004

ii.   May 2004 – date to be determined

iii.    21 Jun 2004

c.       Revision of land use maps – Jul 2004

Revised land use maps will be reviewed in July 2004 by the planning commission and initial discussions will be made with regard to revising the Forks Zoning Code Map.

4.   Hearings on drafts of chapters.

a.   The following dates are the proposed schedule for the first review of proposed chapters of the Updated Comp Plan:

·         Affordable Housing:              Jun 2004

·         Utilities:                                  Jun 2004

·         Land Use:                               Jul 2004

·         Capital Facilities:                    Jul 2004

·         Transportation:                      Sep 2004

·         Economic Development         Sep 2004

b.      Proposed Comprehensive Plan Update – Pre-SEPA Hearing – 27 Sep 2004

Purpose of this hearing is to permit the public to make comments on any of the revised chapters noted above, prior to beginning the SEPA comment period and 60 day CTED review of the proposed update.

5. Final Proposal of Comprehensive Plan Updates

a.   Hearings for final revisions – 22 November and 29 November 2004
Commission will hold at least two hearings to discuss and make necessary changes arising out of the SEPA review period that should be completed by 29 Nov 2004.

b.   Forwarding Comprehensive Plan to City Council for Consideration and adoption will occur on 6 Dec 2004 – if all issues raised in SEPA/CTED review can be addressed.

c.   Consideration for adoption by City Council on 13 December 2004

Council will hold an additional public hearing prior to taking legislative action on the proposed update to the Forks Urban Growth Comprehensive Plan.  If not all chapters are available, the Council will hold a hearing on those that are available for consideration and schedule the other chapters for the next available date when those can be heard and considered.

6.   Development Regulations

a.   Critical Areas Code

i.    Discussion of comments received from CTED – 23 Feb 2004
The City obtained a review of its existing critical areas code by CTED staff and will use the proposed recommendations from CTED to consider revisions.

ii.   Public Hearing on first Draft of Revisions to Critical Areas Code – 26 Apr 04
The commission will hold a public hearing on the draft revisions of the Critical Areas Code based upon the recommendations of CTED.  If additional revisions are deemed necessary, the Commission will determine when the second draft will be brought back for consideration.  If the initial draft is determined to be adequate, the City will forward the proposed draft Critical Areas Code to the public with a 60-day comment period.

iii.  Upon expiration of the 60 day comment period, the commission will hold a hearing on the final proposed ordinance and then forward that ordinance to the City Council for consideration.

b.   Zoning Code

i.    Public Comments/Hearings – April and May 04 FPC Meetings.
Based upon public hearings regarding the comprehensive plan updates and specifically the land use section, the City will solicit for comments for updates to the Forks Zoning Code and Zoning Code maps.

ii.   Proposed revisions will be brought forward to the commission for consideration during its July meeting with the public given an opportunity to comment on proposed revisions.  If additional revisions are deemed necessary, the Commission will determine when the second draft will be brought back for consideration.  If the initial draft is determined to be adequate, the City will forward the proposed draft Critical Areas Code to the public with a 60-day comment period.

iii.  Upon expiration of the 60 day comment period, the commission will hold a hearing on the final proposed ordinance and then forward that ordinance to the City Council for consideration.

c.   Development Regulations

i.    Review of the existing development regulations will be conducted by City Staff to determine if any changes are needed based upon comprehensive plan updates, if it is determined that such updates are required, the Staff will bring those proposals to the commission in the fall of 2004.  Public participation will be scheduled accordingly as will consideration by the City Council

(Adopted by the Forks City Council on 9 February 2004, published in the Forks Forum, posted at City Hall, posted on the City of Forks website, sent to DECTED, and sent to individuals having requested Planning Commission related notices in the past).