Comprehensive Plans
Document Actions
What are Comprehensive Plans?
A comprehensive plan is a long-range guide ot the future of a community or region. The plan is based on an analysis of the community, projections of future population and employment growth, community preferences, and the goals and requirements of the Growth Management Act.
A comprehensive plan typically includes maps showing future land uses, transportation facilities and parks. It includes policies that address land use, housing, capital facilities, public facilities (such as water, sewer, storm water and park facilities), utilities, transportation, the natural environment, and (for counties) rural areas.
The comprehensive plan guides development regulations, critical areas, budgeting and other measures needed to carry out the plan. All large or growing counties in Washington are required to have comprehensive plans.
Why are Comprehensive Plans Important?
A comprehensive plan is important because it provides the road map for how a county or city will grow. Planning helps produce better communities, better environments and better economies.
Currently, 27 counties have adopted comprehensive plans. Over the next four years, each county will be required to update their plan and development regulations in order to comply with the Growth Management Act. Clallam, Clark, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties must update their comprehensive plans by December 1, 2004.
Comprehensive plans and development regulations need to be reviewed periodically to:
- Determine if the comprehensive plan and its implementing regulations meet community needs and address the problems and opportunities currently facing the city or county.
- Make sure the community is getting the outcomes it wants
- Update the data and analysis on which the plan is based.
- Determine if the plan complies with the current requirements of the Growth Management Act.
How Can I Get Involved?
Citizen participation in updating comprehensive plans and development regulations are essential to ensuring strong protections for fish and wildlife habitat, open space and your quality of life. By participating in your community's update process, you will:
- Assist in evaluating the comprehensive plan and how well it is being implemented.
- Help to fix any problems with the plan and development regulations.
- Help improve the comprehensive plan, the community and the environment.
- Ensure that your concerns are raised and considered by your community.
- Help your community improve its plans. Most cities and counties want to hear from you on how well the comprehensive plans and development regulations are working and how to make them better.