WAC 365-195-320   Utilities element.  (1) Requirements. This element shall contain at least the following features: The general location, proposed location, and capacity or all existing and proposed utilities, including, but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and natural gas lines.

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

     (a) Integration of the general location and capacity of existing and proposed utility facilities with the land use element of the plan. For the purposes of this step, proposed utilities are understood to be those awaiting approval when the comprehensive plan is adopted.

     (b) An analysis of the capacity needs for various utilities over the planning period to serve the growth anticipated at the locations and densities proposed within the jurisdiction's planning area. The analysis of capacity needs should be developed in consultation with serving utilities, including consideration of comprehensive utility plans, least-cost plans, load forecasts, and other planning efforts.

     (c) The general location of utility lines and facilities required to furnish anticipated capacity needs for the planning period within the jurisdiction's planning area. This should be developed in consultation with serving utilities as a part of the process of identifying lands useful for public purposes to be carried out by planning jurisdictions.

     (d) Evaluation of whether any utilities should be identified and classified as essential public facilities, subject in cases of siting difficulty to the separate siting process established under the comprehensive plan for such facilities.

     (e) Evaluation of whether any utilities within the planning area are subject to county-wide planning policies for siting public facilities of a county-wide or statewide nature and if so, the integration of those policies into the local plan for application as relevant.

     (f) Creation of local criteria for siting utilities over the planning period, involving:

     (i) Consideration of whether any siting proposal is consistent with the locations and densities for growth contemplated in the land use element.

     (ii) Consideration of any public service obligations of the utility involved.

     (iii) Evaluation of whether the siting decision will adversely affect the ability of the utility to provide service throughout its system.

     (iv) Balancing of local design considerations against articulated needs for system-wide uniformity.

     (g) Policies should be adopted which call for:

     (i) Joint use of transportation rights of way and utility corridors, where possible.

     (ii) Timely and effective notification of interested utilities of road construction, and of maintenance and upgrades of existing roads to facilitate coordination of public and private utility trenching activities.

     (iii) Consideration of utility permits simultaneously with the proposals requesting service and, when possible, approval of utility permits when the project to be served is approved.

     (h) Coordination among adjacent planning jurisdictions to ensure the consistency of each jurisdiction's utilities element and regional utility plans, and to develop a coordinated process for siting regional utility facilities in a timely manner.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.190 (4)(b). 92-23-065, § 365-195-320, filed 11/17/92, effective 12/18/92.]