Joint Planning Policies
RCW 36.70A.210(3) requires that, at a minimum, Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs) address joint County and city planning in urban growth areas. The CPPs also recognize that it is important to encourage joint planning outside the Urban Growth Area and that it may involve public agencies in addition to the County and cities.
JP-1Coordination of county and municipal planning particularly for urban services, governance, and annexation is fundamental in implementing the Regional Growth Strategy and GMA directives related to urban growth areas in RCW 36.70A.110. Interlocal agreements for this purpose are encouraged pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act (chapter 39.34 RCW). These agreements should emphasize the importance of early and continuous public participation, focus on decision-making by elected or other appropriate officials, and review the consistency of comprehensive plans with each other and the Growth Management Act, where applicable. Appendix F provides an illustrative list of issues that could be considered appropriate for Interlocal Agreements.
JP-2In the event of a proposed annexation of unincorporated lands in Snohomish County by a city or special district with no incorporated or district territory currently located in Snohomish County, an interlocal agreement between Snohomish County and any jurisdiction determined necessary by the County shall be in place, consistent with CPP JP-1 and Appendix F. This agreement shall be in effect before the city or district submits a Notice of Intent to Annex to the State Boundary Review Board (BRB) of Snohomish County or, if not subject to BRB review, prior to approval of the annexation to the city or special district.
JP-3Encourage policies that allow accessible, effective and frequent interjurisdictional coordination relating to the consistency of comprehensive plans in a particular Urban Growth Area (UGA) and to the expansion of a UGA.
JP-4The County and cities shall develop comprehensive plan policies and development regulations that provide for the orderly transition of unincorporated Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) to incorporated areas in UGAs. Mutual agreements may be utilized to address governance issues and expedite the transition.
JP-5The County and affected cities should collaborate on the development of appropriate urban design measures in unincorporated Urban Growth Areas.
JP-6Snohomish County Tomorrow, the County, and cities should coordinate countywide and local planning efforts with military installations, recognizing the shared benefits and impacts of growth occurring within and outside installation boundaries.
JP-7Snohomish County Tomorrow, the County, and cities should coordinate countywide and local planning efforts with tribes, recognizing the shared benefits and impacts of growth occurring within and outside Tribal Reservation lands.