Chapter 18.115
SPECIAL PLANNING AREA PROCESS

Sections:

18.115.010 Purpose.

18.115.020 Commencement of the special planning area process.

18.115.030 Creation and duties of interdepartmental staff team.

18.115.040 Creation and role of special planning area steering committee.

18.115.050 Initial public meeting.

18.115.060 Development of the special planning area plan.

18.115.070 Incorporation of SEPA review.

18.115.080 Final report and proposed comprehensive plan amendment.

18.115.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a special planning area process which enhances the livability of the city by recognizing the unique characteristics of the city’s special planning areas and by providing opportunities to accomplish the goals of the city’s comprehensive plan in a way unique to each special planning area. This chapter only applies to a special planning area which has been designated in the adopted comprehensive plan. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.020 Commencement of the special planning area process.

Upon the written request of at least one owner of property located within a special planning area, the city council by motion or resolution, as determined by the city council, may approve the commencement of the special planning area process for that special planning area. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.030 Creation and duties of interdepartmental staff team.

A. Upon the city council’s approval to commence the special planning area process for a special planning area, the director of planning and community development shall establish an interdepartmental staff team for that special planning area.

B. At the director of planning and community development’s request, the director of each city department shall assign a representative to the interdepartmental staff team. The Bainbridge Island fire district, the Bainbridge Island school district, the Bainbridge Island park and recreation district, and the Bremerton-Kitsap County health district shall each be invited to designate a representative to participate on the interdepartmental staff team.

C. Throughout the special planning area process, the interdepartmental staff team shall provide expertise and guidance to the special planning area steering committee.

D. The interdepartmental staff team shall:

1. Compile the city’s existing data and materials relating to the special planning area (including comprehensive plan text and map);

2. Identify in writing issues raised by the public during the comprehensive planning process and issues identified by staff relating to the special planning area; and

3. Identify interested persons and groups, including all property owners within the special planning area according to the Kitsap County auditor’s records, and notify the interested persons and groups in writing by regular mail of the commencement of the special planning area process for the special planning area. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.040 Creation and role of special planning area steering committee.

A. Upon the city council’s approval to commence the special planning area process for a special planning area, the mayor, with confirmation by the city council, shall appoint a special planning area steering committee for that special planning area. The steering committee shall be comprised of an odd number of members, totaling no more than nine, with the total number of members to be determined by the city council. The majority of the committee shall be comprised of representatives from categories 1 and 2 listed below in subsection B. The term of the steering committee members shall be until the completion of the special planning area process under this chapter.

B. The steering committee shall represent a wide spectrum of interests and expertise and shall include at least one representative from each of the following groups:

1. Residents living within and/or owners of property or businesses within the special planning area;

2. Residents and owners of property located adjacent to the special planning area; and

3. Residents of the city, not residing within or adjacent to the special planning area.

C. The steering committee shall:

1. With the advice and assistance of the interdepartmental staff team, develop a special planning area plan consisting of a report and a proposed comprehensive plan amendment, if appropriate, for the special planning area;

2. Establish a planning process consistent with this chapter for developing the special planning area plan, which shall include a workplan, timeline, and budget, and which shall be submitted to the city council for approval;

3. As a part of the workplan, establish a public participation process that includes public meetings in addition to the initial public meeting conducted under BIMC 18.115.050, and work with city staff to ensure outreach to the community during the planning process; and

4. Ensure that the planning process provides adequate opportunity for participation by property owners and residents who live in or near the special planning area. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.050 Initial public meeting.

A. After approval of the planning process by the city council, the steering committee shall conduct an initial public meeting. The interdepartmental staff team shall provide notice to the public of the initial public meeting by:

1. Mailing notice, by regular mail, at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting, to all interested persons and groups identified by the interdepartmental staff team under BIMC 18.115.030(D)(3), and to all persons requesting such notice; and

2. Publishing notice in the city’s official newspaper at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting.

B. At the initial public meeting, the following shall occur:

1. The interdepartmental staff team shall provide an overview of the comprehensive plan and review city-wide goals and policies which must be addressed in the special planning area process.

2. The steering committee, with input from the interdepartmental staff team, shall discuss the purpose of the special planning area and the city’s existing data and materials for the area.

3. The steering committee shall provide opportunity for the public to comment on:

a. The vision and goals for the special planning area;

b. The boundaries of the special planning area; and

c. Issues relevant to the special planning area, including mix and type of land uses, density of development, surface water, greenways, open space, fish and wildlife habitat, drinking water, sewage disposal, transportation, pedestrian and bicycle access, and equestrian trails.

C. The interdepartmental staff team shall prepare a report setting forth the results of the meeting. Upon the steering committee’s approval of the report, the interdepartmental staff team shall transmit the report to the planning commission for review and comment. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.060 Development of the special planning area plan.

Upon receiving the planning commission’s comments on the report prepared under BIMC 18.115.050(C), the steering committee shall develop the special planning area plan in accordance with the steering committee’s workplan. In developing the special planning area plan, the steering committee shall:

A. Develop a profile of characteristics or attributes of the special planning area (including boundaries) and of issues to be addressed during the special planning area process;

B. Develop goals for the special planning area;

C. Consider and utilize the following criteria, and any other criteria developed by the steering committee, in preparing and selecting alternatives for the special planning area:

1. The city-wide goals and policies of the city’s comprehensive plan;

2. The goals and policies for the special planning area developed by the steering committee; and

3. Relevant criteria specified in the Washington State Environmental Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW, and the applicable Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 197-11 WAC;

D. Prepare a report setting forth the profiles, goals, and criteria developed by the steering committee pursuant to subsections A through C above, and transmit the report to the planning commission for review and comment;

E. After receiving the planning commission’s comments on the report prepared under subsection D above, develop alternatives for the special planning area that include policies, strategies and programs to implement the vision and goals for the special planning area; and

F. Review the alternatives for the special planning area against the criteria developed for the area, and select an alternative for the special planning area. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.070 Incorporation of SEPA review.

An owner of property in a special planning area may elect, at the owners’ expense, to have a SEPA review sufficient in scope and depth of inquiry to be legally adequate for a specific project incorporated into the city’s SEPA process for the special planning area. The SEPA official for the city shall establish the scope, depth and method of the SEPA review pursuant to Chapter 16.04 BIMC. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)

18.115.080 Final report and proposed comprehensive plan amendment.

A. The steering committee shall prepare a final report containing the special planning area plan for the special planning area. The final report shall include the profile and characteristics of the special planning area, the goals of the special planning area, the policies, strategies, or programs recommended by the steering committee for the special planning area, and a proposed comprehensive plan amendment for the special planning area, if appropriate.

B. The steering committee shall forward its final report and proposed comprehensive plan amendment, if any, to the planning commission for action. (Ord. 95-15 § 1, 1995)