General Framework Policies
The following policies expand on the Central Principles (previous page) and provide a framework and a foundation for the topic-specific policies in the rest of this document. The General Framework Policies acknowledge the role of the GMA and VISION 2050 in setting the goals and direction for the CPPs. They also address the need to plan for projected population and employment growth and the prerogative of each jurisdiction in the County to conduct its local planning in a manner that responds to local situations and issues.
GF-1The Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) guide development of policies in local plans per RCW 36.70A.210. This guidance allows for flexibility in local interpretation; however, local policies shall be free of contradictions or conflicts with the CPPs.
GF-2Through Snohomish County Tomorrow and adoption by the County Council, the process for updating the Countywide Planning Policies shall be collaborative and participatory. This process should include regional service providers, state agencies, tribal governments, and public input.
GF-3Decisions on land use, transportation, and economic and social infrastructure should consider impacts on climate change and provide solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solutions should emphasize:
a. Integrated planning;
b. Adaptive management;
c. Efficiency and resiliency;
d. Minimize single use products and maximize re-use; and
e. Minimize the need for air quality treatment by minimizing emissions.
GF-4The Countywide Planning Policies shall be consistent with VISION 2050 and the Regional Growth Strategy. To be consistent means that they shall be absent of conflicts or contradictions with the regional planning or transportation objectives. The policy response to the growth strategy focuses on issues of interest to Snohomish County jurisdictions and some flexibility in detail is possible while retaining overall consistency per RCW 36.70A.100 and WAC 365-196-510.
GF-5Subcounty allocation of projected growth shall be established for purposes of conducting the eight-year UGA review and plan update required by the Growth Management Act at RCW 36.70A.130(3). This allocation shall occur through a cooperative planning process of Snohomish County Tomorrow and be consistent with the Countywide Planning Policies. The allocation shall include cities (within current city boundaries), unincorporated Urban Growth Areas (UGAs), unincorporated Municipal Urban Growth Areas (MUGAs), and the rural/resource area of Snohomish County. The subcounty allocation shall use the most recent Office of Financial Management population projections for Snohomish County and the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) as the starting point for this process. The process shall consider each community’s vision and its regional role as described in the RGS. The process shall ensure flexibility for jurisdictions in implementing the RGS. Such implementation shall seek compatibility with the RGS, considering levels of infrastructure investment, market conditions, and other factors that will require flexibility in achieving growth allocations. The subcounty allocation of projected growth shall be depicted as a set of “growth targets,” and shall be shown in Appendix B of the countywide planning policies. The growth targets shall indicate the amount of growth each jurisdiction is expected to plan for in its comprehensive plan. The growth target development process in Snohomish County shall use the procedures in Appendix C, which call for the following steps:
a. Initial Growth Targets;
b. Target Reconciliation; and
c. Long Term Monitoring.
GF-6Ensure that the final population and employment allocations for Urban Growth Areas supports the Regional Growth Strategy as provided for in VISION 2050 by assigning Snohomish County’s growth first and foremost to urban areas.
GF-7Maintain the review and evaluation program, which includes an annual data collection component, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.215 (“Buildable Lands Program”). Complete the evaluation component required by the Buildable Lands Program at least once every eight years, and no later than three years prior to the deadline for review and update of comprehensive plans and development regulations as required by RCW 36.70A.130.
a. Use the procedures report in Appendix E for the Buildable Lands Program.
b. A list of reasonable measures that may be used to increase residential, commercial and industrial capacity in UGAs, without adjusting UGA boundaries, is contained in Appendix D. The County Council shall use the list of reasonable measures and guidelines for review contained in Appendix D to evaluate all UGA boundary expansions proposed pursuant to DP-2.