WAC 365-195-305   Land use element.  (1) Requirements. This element shall contain at least the following features:

     (a) Designation of the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of land, where appropriate, for agriculture, timber production, housing, commerce, industry, recreation, open spaces, public utilities, public facilities, and other land uses.

     (b) Population densities, building intensities, and estimates of future population growth.

     (c) Provisions for protection of the quality and quantity of ground water used for public water supplies.

     (d) Where applicable, a review of drainage, flooding, and storm water runoff in the area covered by the plan and nearby jurisdictions, and guidance for corrective actions to mitigate or cleanse those discharges that pollute waters of the state, including Puget Sound or waters entering Puget Sound.

     (2) Recommendations for meeting requirements. The following steps are recommended in preparing the land use element:

     (a) Integration of relevant county-wide planning policies (and, where applicable, multicounty planning policies) into the local planning process.

     (b) Identification of the existing general distribution and location of various land uses.

     (c) Identification of the approximate acreage and general range of density or intensity of existing uses.

     (d) Estimation using available data of the future population growth for the planning area and a projection of the level of commercial, industrial, and residential development likely to be experienced over at least the next twenty years.

     (e) Selection of commercial, industrial, and residential densities sought to be achieved and their distribution for the purposes of accommodating the anticipated growth.

     (f) Inventory of vacant, partially used and under-utilized land. Analysis of the extent to which existing buildings and housing, together with vacant, partially used and under-utilized land can support anticipated growth at the densities selected.

     (g) Preparation of an implementation strategy for accomplishing the densities and distribution sought. To the extent that greater intensity of development is proposed, the strategy should include a description of the general range of physical forms contemplated for structures which will accommodate the new growth.

     (h) Identification of the approximate spatial requirements for capital facilities (including transportation facilities) and utilities needed to support the planned level of development.

     (i) Generalized location and estimation of quantity of land needed for utility corridors, open space corridors, critical areas, and natural resource lands to be included within the planning area.

     (j) Preparation of the future land use map on the basis of the total analysis performed.

     (k) Reevaluation of this scheme in light of:

     (i) The projected capacity for financing the needed capital facilities over the planning period; and

     (ii) An assessment of whether the densities and distribution of growth contemplated can be achieved within the capacity of available land and water resources and without environmental degradation.

     (l) Creation of a ground water protection strategy, integrating the relevant planning requirements of other statutes, consistent with the designation of areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water. Consideration should be given to the adoption of nondegradation as a ground water protection goal.

     (m) Consultation with neighboring jurisdictions and state agencies to formulate a cooperative, integrated, watershed based approach to identified pollution problems caused by drainage, flooding, storm water runoff, failing septic systems, agricultural runoff, and other nonpoint sources, taking advantage of existing plans dealing with these subjects. To the extent that county-wide planning policies are relevant, they should followed in arriving at interjurisdictional solutions.

     (n) A schedule for the phasing of the development contemplated consistent with the availability of capital facilities as provided in the capital facilities element.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.190 (4)(b). 92-23-065, § 365-195-305, filed 11/17/92, effective 12/18/92.]