How to Propose a Comprehensive Plan Amendment
The Comprehensive (Comp) Plan Amendment Process is an opportunity for individuals, groups, City departments, and other public agencies to propose changes to Seattle's Comprehensive Plan. Amendments may address changing conditions, emerging issues or on-going planning efforts. Proposed amendments (see application) may include changes to policies, the future land use map, appendices, or other components of the Comprehensive Plan. Most rezones do not require amending the Comp Plan. The Council has adopted criteria that it uses in selecting Comp Plan amendments to consider.
The Washington State Growth Management Act limits the City to amending the Comp Plan only once a year. The City has established a process for considering amendments to allow for several amendments to be reviewed simultaneously. The process involves two separate reviews by the City Council. In the first review, the Council identifies the amendments that will be considered that year. To be eligible for consideration, applications for proposed amendments must be submitted by February 25 each year.
Executive staff then analyzes the amendments that Council identified through its first review. On August 1st, the Executive submits an ordinance containing the Mayor's recommended amendments for the Council to consider in its second review in the fall. The ordinance eventually adopted by the Council adds the selected amendments into the Comprehensive Plan.
In October 2007, the City Council adopted Resolution 31016, which changed the Comp Plan amendment process. Beginning with the 2008 amendment cycle, suggestions for amending the Plan should be sent by February 25 to the City Council at complan@seattle.gov, rather than to DPD as in the past. This is intended to streamline the review process and allow additional time to analyze requests. the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will still be the executive’s lead for analyzing the possible amendments once they are identified in the Council’s resolution.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like additional information about the Comprehensive Plan, please call Ketil Freeman of Council Central Staff at (206) 684-8178. To receive a copy of recommendations and notification of public hearing dates, call the number above or e-mail the Ketil at ketil.freeman@seattle.gov to be placed on the Comp Plan mailing list.
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