The Comprehensive Plan and You

As most know, the City is nearing the completion of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan (the Plan), and has invited residents to an Open House on June 13^th.  This will be a chance to ask questions and share your input before the Plan is finalized in the coming months.  

I’ve shared some context about the Plan, but for the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s best to refer to official City channels. The following reflects my personal thoughts and may not/does not reflect the thinking or policies of the City, including City Council. Probably a lot of content, perhaps bit long-winded…but all me….

Why does Clyde Hill need to do a Plan?

The short answer: due to a State requirement. In remain eligible for funding, the Plan must be compliant with State/Regional rules, and these entities will also review the Plan for compliance. The requirement is having an approved plan no later than year-end 2024. Plans are typically prepared every 10 years, although annual updates are an option. With the rapid pace of new laws, some cities might opt for yearly updates.

What is the intent of the Plan?

The Plan serves several key purposes. Primarily, it guides the City’s daily decisions by establishing a framework of visions/goals/policies/actions/standards. Additionally, it documents compliance with requirements from the Growth Management Act (from the State’s Department of Commerce) and regional requirements, including King County, which place focus on ensuring coordinating growth management in a consistent manner.

What is *New” about the Plan when compared to the prior Plan?

This would be a terrific question to ask at the Open House on June 13^th, here are some instant thoughts (in no particular order of priority)”

• Our “vision” statement has been updated; this sets the tone for the city.
• There is updated language about views, trees, and living fences – these are topics of interest to many residents, so it might be worthwhile to review the updated draft language.
• The Plan is a lot longer than the prior 2015 Plan – this is due to the myriad of new laws and rules from the State and County.  One of most impactful changes has to do with a newer law called the Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1220 (ESSB 1220).
  • In summary, the law changed  the status quo from “encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments” to “plan for and accommodate housing affordable to all economic segments” .
  • The Plan incorporates the requirements of ESSB 1220. In summary, we have been assigned by King County a goal to create 10 new housing units by 2044, and this new law caused the City to follow a specific complex process that is outlined in the Housing Element of the Plan. Please note that the Plan is not required to contemplate (nor does it) the very impactful new state law that will permit Middle Housing (aka HB 1110) which I discuss below.
• The tone and content of the document has changed based on new emphasis or requirements from the GMA, including: (1) policies and goals are more specific than in the past; (2) there is recognition/consideration of disadvantaged groups; (3) the Natural Environment Element section now speaks about required cooperation and engagement with those Tribal Governments that seek to participate in our Plan process.
• The Capital Facilities Element of the Plan speaks to the possible creation of a Stormwater Utility (see Policy 2.1 under the Stormwater Section).
• In the Transportation Element section there is discussion about the status of the complex intersection of 84^th Avenue and NE 12^th Street. Also, there is discussion of some opportunity to improve the intersection of 92^nd Avenue and Points Drive/32^nd Street.

Questions to Consider of City Officials (again, in no particular order)

• Confirm from the City what is “new”
• What new commitments, if any, are created by adopting this new Plan?
• Will there be a financial impact (to residents or the City’s operating expenditures) by adopting the Plan, e.g.,
  • What is the expected financial impact to residents by creating a Stormwater Utility
  • Budget impact impact, if any, to the City from adopting new policies that use the words “ensure”, “protect”, “offer”, “evaluate” etc.
• Is Clyde Hill generally consistent with how new requirements were addressed when compared to our adjacent cities Medina and Yarrow Point, or are there meaningful differences
• Will there be an opportunity to provide input on the Plan after the Open House event
• What are next steps once the Plan is approved

Wrap Up

The Plan has a lot to unpack. While it seems a city like Clyde Hill (which reflects small changes in population and is almost fully built out) should be able to prepare an abbreviated mini-plan, the State offers us no such exception. As a result, preparing the Plan is a large, multi-year effort, that is time-consuming, and costly (dollars and opportunity cost).

Residents have a real opportunity to weigh-in, and some residents have already engaged, which is terrific.

Looking ahead, the City will be dealing with the Middle Housing Bill (HB 1110), which mandates that Middle Housing be allowed on residential lots. As I understand it, cities will be updating their development regulations to incorporate HB 1110 *or* will adopt the State’s model ordinance by June 30, 2025.  In my next post, I will delve deeper into HB 1110, including its relationship to HB 1337 which pertains to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).