HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 99-162-CC BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 99-162-CC
IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTING A FINAL URBAN GROWTH AREA FOR THE
CITY OF EPHRATA, GRANT COUNTY,WASHINGTON
WHEREAS, in 1990 the Washington State Legislature passad and the Governor signed into law the
Growth Management Act(GMA)as contained in SHB No. 2929 (Washington Laws, 1990 15t Ex. Sess.,
Ch.17),which was subsequently codified as, among other chapters, Chapter 36.70A RCW; and
WHEREAS,the legislature found that uncoordinated and unplanned growth, together with a lacic of
common goals expressing the public's interest in the conservation and the wise use of our lands,pose a
threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety,and high quality of
life enjoyed by residents of the state; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State GMA requires all counties and cities in the state to do some planning
and the fastest growing counties, and the cities within them,to plan extensively in lceeping with state
goals on: sprawl reduction, affordable housing, economic development, open space and recreation,
regional�ransportation, environmental protection,property rights,natural resource industries,historic
lands and buildings,permit processing,public facilities and services, and early and continuous public
participation; and
WHEREAS, the GMA requires counties to adopt county-wide planning policies to guide the adoption of
comprehensive plans and to ensure that the comprehensive plans of counties and the cities within them
are coordinated and consistent with each other; and
WHEREAS,the Board of Grant County Commissioners adopted the Final Adopted Policies of the GNant
County Planned Growth Committee on May 6, 1993 subsequent to a cooperative effort involving all local
jurisdictions in Grant County; and
WHEREAS,the GMA and the Final Adopted Policies of the Grant County Planned Growth Committee
provide direction regarding designation of Urban Growth Areas(UGAs); and
WHEREAS, the Ephrata UGA was established based on a joint planning process,including consultation
between representatives of the City of Ephrata and Grant County, as required by the GMA and the Final
Adopted Policies of the GNant County Planned Growth Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Grant County Department of Community Development has produced a Comprehensive
Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement that includes an Urban Lands Sub-element addressing the
Ephrata UGA; and
WHEREAS, an extensive public review process was conducted for the Ephrata UGA that meets or
exceeds the requirements of Grant County Resolution No. 98-108-CC establishing Gr�ant County Growth
Managernent Act(GMA)Public Particzpation Program pursuant to RCW 36.70A.020(11) and RCW
36.70A.140; and
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WHEREAS, the Urban Lands Sub-element addressing the Ephrata UGA has been reviewed by affected
State and local agencies and found, generally,to be in compliance with the requirements of the GMA; and
WHEREAS,the comments and correspondence provided by affected State and local agencies has been
considered during review of the Ephrata UGA and in the preparation of attached Exhibit A—Findings of
ract; and
WAEREAS, the Grant County Department of Comrnunity Development, Long Range Planning Division,
as lead agency,prepared a SEPA Checklist for the proposed action of approving an Urban Growth Area
for the City of Ephrata; and
WHEREAS, the Grant County SEPA Responsible Official reviewed the SEPA Checiclist and issued a
Declaration of Non-significance (DNS) on March 23, 1999; and
WHEI�AS,the Grant County Planning Commission held a public hearing at their regular scheduled
monthly meeting on Apri17,1999,received oral and written testimony,and made�ndings and
conclusions as specified in the Exhibit A—Findings of Fact; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Crrant County Commissioners held a public hearing on May 24, 1999,upon
notice, in the Board Room of the County Commissioners at the Grant County Courthouse, Ephrata,
Washington, at which time the Board of County Commissioners heard comments in regard to the
proposed action of adopting the Ephrata UGA and continued the public hearing until June 1, 1999,upon
notice,in the Board Room of the County Commissioners at the Grant County Courthouse, Ephrata,
Washington; and
WHEREAS, tha Board of Grant County Commissioners malces the following findings and conclusions:
1. The UGA adopted by this resolution:
• Is reasonably consistent with the allocation of growth projected;
• Includes both incorporated and unincorporated land;
• Provides adequate lands for commercial and industrial purposes;
• Provides adequata lands for open space and recreational needs;
• Recognizes the need to ensure that an adequate mix of affordable housing remain available;
• Recognizes existing patterns of land uses and lot sizes; and
• Recognizes areas that have adequate existing public facilities and service capabilities to serve
such development.
2. The area within the UGA boundary adopted by this resolution is:
• characterized by urban growth or adjacent to such areas in compliance with RCW 36.70A.110;
• together with other urban areas which will be part of the County's Comprehensive Plan, sufficient
to permit the 20-year urban growth projected by OFM pursuant to RCW 36.70A.110;
3. Adequate public facilities and services either exist in the unincorporated portions of the UGA or are
planned to be provided as growth occurs.
4. The UGA adopted by this resolution will promote infilling within the City of Ephrata and
appropriately higher densities for the more efficient provision of urban-level services and utilities.
5. The UGA adopted by this resolution s�rilces a reasonable balance between;
Ordinance No. 99-162-CC
Page 3
• protecting the environment,
• preserving rural areas,
• accommodating projected growth,
• recognizing existing patterns of development,
• promoting efficient service areas for public utilities and services,
• recognizing natural boundaries,
• accommodating the desires and policies of the City of Ephrata, and
• accommodating the desires of the residents of the affected areas.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the final Urban Growth Area for the City of Ephrata,
including the UGA boundary and land use designations outside of corporate limits, shall be designated in
compliance with RCW 36.70A and WAC 365-195, as shown on the map entitled"Grant County
Comprehensive Plan Ephrata Urban Growth Area,"dated June 30, 1999, attached hereto as Exhibit D.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Board of Grant County Commissioners adopts all recitals
herein as findings of fact in support of this action.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD this�'�day of �� ,t.Q�.s , 1999,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GRANT COUNT ,WASAINGTON ATTEST:
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Tim Snead, hai an � Peggy G �
Clerk of the Board
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De orah Moore, Commissioner
APPROVED AS TO FO .
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LeRoy Allison, Commissioner S e n H am
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney