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Public Participation Program and Frequently Asked Questions
What is the City’s Comprehensive Plan? Comprehensive plans express a community’s values, priorities and aspirations. They provide a 20-to-50-year vision and roadmap for a city’s future. Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan expresses Seattle’s framework values and specific goals and policies for the environment, land use, transportation, housing, capital facilities, utilities, and other important elements for future planning. What is this document? This document provides the general schedule for citizens to understand and participate in the Comp Plan Update. The intent of this document is to provide broad and effective notice of the public participation program related to the Comp Plan Update.
Why is the City updating the Comprehensive Plan now? Washington State cities, including Seattle, are required by State law to update their Comprehensive Plans every seven years.
What is the schedule for the update? The Seattle City Council is legally required to adopt an updated Comprehensive Plan by December 2011. There will be periodic public meetings before that date. The Council will also hold at least one formal public hearing before voting.
Timeline (dates tentative) |
Public participation |
November 17, 2009 |
Help identify the vision for Seattle 2030 and beyond |
Winter/Spring 2010 |
Identify and review changes for goals and policies; review Urban Center/Urban Village growth targets |
Summer/Fall 2010 |
Review draft revised goals and policies |
Winter / Spring 2011 |
Final public review of proposed updated Comp Plan |
Summer 2011 |
Council public hearing (tentative) |
Fall 2011 |
City Council adoption and Mayor’s consideration of ordinance updating Comprehensive Plan |
What will change because of the Comprehensive Plan update? The State has released new population forecasts which Seattle and other cities need to incorporate into their Comprehensive Plans as growth targets. Seattle’s Fire, Police, Utilities and Facilities departments will update their forecasts for new buildings and facilities. Predicted upgrades for libraries and parks will also be updated. The Plan includes elements such as Transportation, Housing, Economic Development, Land Use and others. City departments will review and update the language that applies to their work as needed. What is the public’s role? We are asking you to participate in the public meetings that the City will convene and to contribute to the update over the next couple of years. At the November 17 2009 meeting, we want to hear your thoughts about what should be included in the update and how the City should address the topics the Plan addresses. How can the public participate? You will be able to follow the update in multiple formats, including through the City’s blog, Facebook page and DPD’s website: www.seattle.gov/dpd/planning/compplan How can I get more information? Sign up to be notified on the DPD web page or contact Tom Hauger (206 684 8380) or Kristian Kofoed (206 233 7191) at the Department of Planning & Development.
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