2048 - Resolution - Ratifying Revisions to County-Wide Planning PoliciesRESOLUTION NO. 2048
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD,
WASHINGTON, RATIFYING THE REVISIONS TO THE KITSAP
COUNTY-WIDE PLANNING POLICIES.
WHEREAS, The Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A, requires that
each county planning under GMA must adopt county-wide planning policies to be used as a
framework from which county and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted; and
WHEREAS, in May, 1992, the Kitsap Regional Planning Council, made up of
elected officials of the county, cities, and tribes of Kitsap County, adopted the first county-wide
planning policies pursuant to GMA; and
WHEREAS, the Kitsap regional Coordinating Council (formerly Kitsap Regional
Planning Council) initiated revisions to the county-wide planning policies through multi-
jurisdictional collaboration including planning staff, planning commissioners and council and
board members; and
WHEREAS, written public comment was solicited and received by the KRCC
from April 8, 2003 through May 31, 2003. Public Hearings were held on May 6, 2003, and May
22, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council adopted the proposed
revisions to the County wide Planning Policies in a series of actions between June 3, and
October 7, 2003; and
WHEREAS, at the County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on
November 24'h, 2003 and adopted the County-wide Planning Policies, and were then forwarded
onto the City jurisdictions for ratification with minor amendments on December 2, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the County Board of Commissioners adopted the policies as
forwarded onto the City's on December 8, 2003, I, now, therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON,
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
THAT: The City Council of the City of Port Orchard, Washington,
hereby ratifies the Kitsap County-wide Planning Policies, dated
October 7, 2003, (Attachment 'A') with the following
understanding that compliance with any of the mandated items in
this document shall be subject to the availability of funding and
staffing resources available for implementation at the local level.
Resolution No. 2048
Page 2 of 2
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Orchard, SIGNED by the Mayor and
attested by the Clerk in authentication of such passage this 29tn day of December 2003.
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LESLIE J. WEATHERILL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Adopted Revisions to K..sap Countywide Planning Polic0 -October 7, 2003
Attached are revisions to update the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies adopted by the Kitsap Regional
Coordinating Council in a series of actions between June 3 and October 7, 2003. These revisions were adopted
by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners on November 24, 2003, and will be an ordinance December 8,
2003. These revisions are now forwarded to the City and Tribal Councils for ratification.
It is also expected that six other elements will be (further) revised at the first January 2004 meeting of the
KRCC Policy Board:
Introduction will be amended to clarify the ratification and update processes for the
Countywide Planning Policy.
Element A: Urban Growth Areas may be divided into two sections:
Element A: Countywide Growth Patterns
Element B: Urban Growth Areas
Element A. Sections 9 & I 0: Master Planned Resorts and Fully Contained Communities may be
combined and amended to highlight policies that are in addition to the State Growth Management Act.
Element I: Economic Development may be amended to include strategies to measure the effectiveness
of economic development efforts.
Element F: Public Capital Facilities may be amended to clarify the types of essential capital facilities
that require a formal facility siting process.
Element J: Fiscal Impact may be amended to make the analysis of fiscal impact discretionary or the
element may be eliminated.
The chart on the following page shows the actual and anticipated dates of adoption by the KRCC with subsequent
adoption and ratification by the County and Cities and Tribes (respectively).
The Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies are the framework for growth management in Kitsap County. Under the
Growth Management Act, the Puget Sound Region is defmed as King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Pierce Counties.
The Puget Sound Regional Council is responsible for developing the four-county regional transportation and land
use vision. The Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies tailor the Puget Sound Regional Council's regional growth
management guidelines to Kitsap County and are the policy framework for the County's and the Cities'
comprehensive plans. The Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies address 15 separate elements, ranging from urban
growth areas to affordable housing.
Countywide Planning Policies are required by the Growth Management Act and may be appealed (only) by
Cities and the Governor of Washington. The policy revisions (attached) were developed through a multi-
jurisdictional collaboration sponsored by KRCC among: Kitsap County, the Cities of Bremerton, Bainbridge
Island, Port Orchard & Poulsbo, the Suquamish & Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribes, the Navy, the Port of
Bremerton, and Kitsap Transit. Kitsap County is lead agency for its environmental review.
Written public comment was solicited and received from April 8 through May 31, 2003. KRCC held a well-
attended public hearing on May 6, continued to May 22 in the evening. Revisions to the document as presented
for public comment were coordinated by KRCC.
Please direct additional questions to Mary McClure, Executive Director, Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council
at (360) 377-4900.
Proposed Revisions to Element:
B: Centers
C: Rural Land Uses & Development
Patterns
D: Open Space, Resource Protection, &
Critical Areas
E: Contiguous & Orderly Development
G: Transportation
H: Affordable Housing
Proposed Revisions:
Countywide Planning Policies
Proposed
Revision
Silverdale
&SKIA
Kitsap Transit reviews transit
LOS; ClarifY "transportation
hubs"
No change
Add broadband for long range
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Adoption by
Kitsap County
Element B: CENTERS OF GROWTH
Centers are intended to be compact and centralized working, shopping and/or activity areas linked to other Centers
by transit. Centers and their boundaries shall be locally determined by the County and the Cities where a
community-wide focal point can be provided, significant population and/or employment growth can be located, and
the increased use of transit, walking and bicycling can be supported. Designated Centers define the pattern of
future residential and commercial/industrial growth in Kitsap County. In decisions relating to population growth
and resource allocation supporting growth, Centers have a high priority.
1. The Puget Sound Regional Council has defined several types of Regional Centers within Urban
Growth Areas in the four-county planning region, with planning guidelines (Vision 2020, Appendix
1). In Kitsap County, the following centers are applicable:
a. Regional Centers of Growth:
1. Metropolitan Center: Bremerton including the Bremerton Naval complex. "Metropolitan Centers
function as anchors within the region for a high density mix of business, residential, public, cultural
and recreational uses, and day and night activity. They are characterized by their historic role as the
central business districts of the major cities within the central Puget Sound region, providing
services for and easily accessible to a population well beyond their city limits. Metro Centers may
also serve national or international roles." (Vision 2020)
u. Urban Center: Silverdale Urban Core. In Kitsap County, Urban Centers are areas with the
comprehensive planning to support a wide range of commercial, housing, and cultural choices. All
areas of the Urban Center are serviced by transit throughout the day and much of the area is within
walking or bicycling distance. Significant at in-fill opportunities exist with the highest residential,
commercial, and employment densities expected.
b. Regional Manufacturing/Industrial Centers: South Kitsap Industrial Area. "Regional
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers are major, existing regional employment areas of intensive,
concentrated manufacturing and industrial land uses which cannot be easily mixed at higher densities
with other uses. To preserve land at these centers for manufacturing, industry and related uses, large
retail uses or non-related offices are discouraged. Provision of adequate public facilities and services,
including good access to the region's transportation system, is very important to the success of
manufacturing/industrial centers." (Vision 2020)
2. The following are other types of centers within Kitsap County:
a. Town or City Centers are usually the existing downtown core of a city or Urban Growth Area. There is
an abundant mix of shopping, service, employment, and cultural opportunities. Multifamily housing
may be intermixed and single family housing may be within walking or bicycling distance. Infill should
include mixed use and higher densities surrounding the Town Center.
b. Mixed Use Centers are a generic category that can be described in terms of neighborhoods or districts.
The designation represents a commitment to planning for Center development, with a planned mix of
housing, commercial, and employment opportunities. Most shopping and commercial uses are within a
short walking or bicycling distance of housing. There is a higher proportion of multi-family housing at
relatively high densities. Navy facilities could be considered for this designation.
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c. Activity and Employment Cemcrs are areas of concentrated employmer" dlld are a magnet for
significant numbers of people usually during daytime hours because of business and/or manufacturing
activities. They may be located outside of Urban Growth Areas, consistent with the Growth
Management Act. Industrial and business parks and Navy employment centers are in this category.
Within Urban Growtb Areas, the opportunity to include a proportional residential element should be
determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the unique geography and economics of the area.
d. Transportation Hubs are locations of regional inter-modal connection that may be located outside of
Urban Growtb Areas. Examples are ferry terminals, the Bremerton National Airport, or certain transit
stations.
3. For purposes of distributing countywide transportation funding, a process and criteria should be
developed and coordinated through the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council. The following should
be included:
Current or programmed transportation resources (including roads, transit,
bicycle, pedestrian)
Balance of employment opportunities with residential
Proximity and connectivity among jobs, housing, retail services
Types and density of residential uses
Inclusion of affordable housing
Provision of community gathering space, parks, and cultural opportunities
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Element C. RURAL LAND USE~ AND DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS
Rural areas ofKitsap County are characterized as having a variety of parcel sizes, with a diversity of land use
activities. These areas also contain significant amounts of complex natural systems. It is a high priority to
preserve and enhance the rural character of these areas. Counties are responsible for designating and regulating
rural areas through the comprehensive planning process. However, rural preservation is a regional issue and it
is important to coordinate these planning objectives with the Cities.
1. The following policies relate to preserving rural character and enhancing the natural environment.
a. Preserve the character of identified rural areas by protecting and enhancing the natural environment,
open space and recreational opportunities, and scenic and historic areas; supporting small-scale farming
and forestry uses; and permitting low-density residential living and cluster development maintained by
rural levels of service. Support Rural Communities as locations for a mix of housing types, rural levels
of service, cultural activities, and employment that serves the needs of rural areas.
b. This policy is not intended to preclude the future designation of Urban Growth Areas.
2. The following policies relate to preserving rural land use and development patterns:
a. Rural Communities are already-existing residential and commercial areas of more intensive rural
development designated in the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan under RCW 36.70A.070.5.In-fill is
expected. Rural Communities should be serviced by transportation providers and other services
consistent with the Leve~ of Service adopted by Kitsap County for roads and by Kitsap Transit for
transit upon their designation as an area of more intensive rural development.
b. Transportation Hubs maybe located within existing areas of more intensive development. Walking,
bicycling, and transit are the major forms of travel. Transportation Hubs are locations of regional
intermodal connection Examples are ferry terminals and transit stations with convenience services.
c. The County shall develop criteria consistent with the Growth Management Act for designating future
industrial and commercial development outside of Urban Growth Areas that protect rural character
while encouraging vehicle trip reduction. The criteria should allow for industrial resource-based land use
and recreation and for convenience commercial that is scaled to serve the daily needs of rural residents.
3. The following policies relate to establishing and maintaining rural levels of service:
a. Rural level-of-service standards shall address sewage disposal, water, transportation and other
appropriate services. The standards shall be developed based upon levels of service typically delivered
in rural areas consistent with RCW 36.70A.030 (16).
b. For purpose of trip reduction, develop a range of alternative modes of transportation consistent with
rural levels of service to connect Rural Communities with urban Centers.
c. When sewers need to be extended to solve isolated health, environmental, and sanitation problems, they
shall be designed for limited access so as not to increase the development potential of the surrounding
rural area.
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4. The following policies relate to ~.-... nserving small-scale natural resourc .. -•e in rural areas:
a. Rural land use designations in the County's Comprehensive Plan should support rural uses such as fanning,
forestry, mining, recreation, and other rural activities, and permit a variety of low-density residential uses
which preserve rural character, and can be sustained by rural service levels.
b. The County's Comprehensive Plan policies shall promote clustering residential development and other
techniques to protect and euhance significant open spaces, natural resources, and critical areas for more
efficient use of the land. Clustering should not increase residential housing units in the overall area
designated as rural, consistent with designated rural densities. Development clusters shall be designed,
scaled and sited in a manner consistent with rural character and the provision of rural levels of service.
c. The County's Comprehensive Plan policies shall support Rural Communities as locations of employment, a
mix of housing types, and cultural activities for rural areas that primarily function as locations for service
needs such as grocery stores, shopping, and community services, and small-scale cottage industries for the
surrounding rural area.
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Element E. CONTIGUOUS ANt-0RDERL Y DEVELOPMENT
Upon designation of Urban Growth Areas, the County and Cities will need to develop consistent implementation
measures to ensure that development occurs in an orderly and contiguous manner. The intent of the following
countywide planning policies is to minimize differences in urban development regulations and standards between
the County and the Cities and to facilitate the economical provision of urban services to development.
1. The following policies relate to the encouragement of cooperative inter-jurisdictional planning by
federal, tribal, state, local, and special purpose government:
a. Inter-jurisdictional discussion, information exchange, and coordination of proposals shall be initiated as
early and expeditiously as possible by the responsible agencies.
b. Initial inventories and analyses of utilities and public services information are critical to the planning
process and shall be made available as early and expeditiously as possible by the responsible agencies.
c. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council may establish or designate on-going technical committee(s)
comprised of representatives from utilities and service providers to investigate long-range regional needs
for various facilities and services, including but not limited to those for transportation, sewer and storm
drainage, availability and delivery of potable water, solid waste, broadband, parks and recreation, and
open space.
d. The Countywide Planning Policy will further the implementation of Vision 2020 and Destination 2030
as adopted by the Puget Sound Regional Council.
2. The following policies relate to inter-regional coordination of land use and transportation planning:
a. The County and the Cities shall participate in the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Peninsula
Regional Transportation Planning Organization.
b. Locally-generated data shall be provided to the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Peninsula
Regional Transportation Planning Organization for use in their coordination of population forecasts,
land use, and transportation.
c. The planning proposals of these regional organizations shall be monitored and adjustments
recommended to ensure that they accurately reflect local needs and plans.
3. The following policies relate to fiscal disparities:
a. It is recognized that fiscal disparities exist as a result of growth and changes in municipal boundaries.
The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council shall monitor the Revenue Sharing Inter-local Agreement
among the County and Cities (shown as Appendix A) and seek additional_ways to address fiscal
disparities as they relate to promoting coordinated development and the implementation of the Growth
Management Act.
b. The County and the Cities shall work together to insure that all fees associated with development
approval are based upon the real cost of service and act to encourage development within designated
Urban Growth Areas.
c. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating_ Council shall sponsor on-going regional discussion on revenue
disparity issues.
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Element G. TRANSPORTATIOl,
The Growth Management Act requires that transportation planning be coordinated among local and state
jurisdictions. The Growth Management Act further requires that transportation planning be coordinated with
the land use elements of local comprehensive plans. Coordination of!and use and transportation plans will
allow Kitsap County and the Kitsap Cities to meet three inter-related transportation goals:
o Serve Designated Centers to reduce sprawl, conserve land and make more efficient use of
infrastructure,
o Preserve the natural environment, including water and air quality,
o Provide a balanced system for the efficient, safe movement of people, goods and services among
Designated Centers within Kitsap County and the larger Puget Sound region.
The intent of the following policies is to define appropriate methods and strategies to achieve these goals
through inter-regional and intra-regional coordination among transportation and land use planning agencies.
1. The following policies relate to strategies to optimize and manage the use of transportation facilities
and services:
a. The County and the Cities shall each emphasize the maintenance and preservation of their existing
transportation network.
b. Through an annual review of the Transportation Element of their Comprehensive Plan, the County and
the Cities shall each identify and prioritize operational and safety deficits.
c. The County and the Cities shall utilize Transportation System Management strategies such as right turn
channelization, parking restrictions, traffic signal coordination, and non-motorized transportation
facilities.
d. The County and the Cities should consider access management regulations that provide standards for
driveway spacing and delineation and encourage the joint use of access points where practical.
e. The County and the Cities shall actively seek opportunities to share facilities, expertise, and
transportation resources, such as multiple use park & ride/parking lots or shared traffic signal
maintenance responsibility.
2. Since 1980, the total number of vehicle miles traveled in the Puget Sound Region has grown twice as
fast as employment and four times as fast as population. While it has been fueled by a number of
factors, trying to meet this escalating demand for vehicle travel would require financial resources far
beyond existing funding sources, with substantial negative environmental impacts. The shift of travel
trips from single occupant (SOV) to high occupant vehicles (HOV) and from vehicles to non-
motorized modes will benefit air quality and the level oftraffic congestion. The following policies
relate to reducing the rate of growth in auto traffic, including the number of vehicle trips, the number
of miles traveled, and the length of vehicle trips taken, for both commute and non-commute trips:
a. The County and the Cities shall provide both infrastructure and policy incentives to increase the use of
non-SOY modes of travel.
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b. The range of infrastructure im,~.,tives to encourage the use of non-SO\ .odes of travel could include
the following:
1. Provide public transit, including preferential treatments for transit, such as queue by-pass lanes,
traffic signal modifications (Opticom), and safe, properly designed transit stops.
n. Provide integrated transfer points to facilitate seamless trips between transit and other modes of
travel, particularly at ferry terminals, including park & ride lots, carpoollvanpool facilities, and
transit advantages in ease of ingress/egress and proximity to actual connection points, and innovative
transit -oriented retail service clusters.
111. Provide non-recreational bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including safe neighborhood walking and
biking routes to school.
IV. During the development of all state, county, and city highway capacity improvement projects,
consider the market for non-SOV travel, and the addition of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes,
park & ride lots, appropriate infrastructure for both bicycling and walking, and telecommunications
infrastructure.
c. The range of policy incentives to encourage the use ofnon-SOV modes of travel could include the
following:
1. Increased emphasis on the Commute Trip Reduction Program already in place (including ridesharing
incentives), with K.itsap Transit designated as the lead agency, including program promotion and
monitoring.
n. Managed parking demand at ferry terminals, employment, and retail centers to discourage SOV use
through privileged parking for HOV users, fee structure and parking space allocations.
iii. Encouraging telecommuting as a viable work alternative.
IV. Encouraging the shift of work and non-work trips to off-peak travel hours.
v. Congestion pricing.
v1. Auto-restricted zones.
vii. Promotion of driver awareness through educational efforts.
d. The County and the Cities shall develop standards that address appropriate bicycle and pedestrian
facilities for development of new streets and reconstruction of existing streets in=Designated Centers and
Rural Communities.
e. In Designated Centers, the jurisdictions should complete missing vehicular and non-motorized links
between key arterials to accommodate pedestrian and bicycle facilities, without compromising safety
standards.
f. The County and the Cities shall develop coordinated bicycle and pedestrian systems or plans, which
should be consistent across jurisdictional boundaries with particular consideration to providing safe
routes for children to walk and to bike to school.
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g. In cases of substantial residenual or conunercial development, Kitsap '1,ansit shall review and comment
on development proposals to facilitate convenient use and operation of appropriate transit services.
3. The following policies relate to the environmental impacts of transportation policies:
a. Transportation improvements shall be located and constructed so as to discourage/minimize adverse
impacts on water quality and other environmental features.
b. The County, the Cities, and Kitsap Transit shall consider progranuning capital improvements and
transportation facilities that alleviate and mitigate impacts of!and use on air quality and energy
consumption, such as: high-occupancy vehicle lanes; public transit; vanpool/ carpool facilities; electric
and other low emission vehicles including buses; bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are designed for
functional transportation.
c. The County and the Cities shall ensure environmental protection, water quality, and conformance with
ESA requirements through best management practices throughout the life of the transportation facilities,
including:
1. Facility design, and in particular collection and treatment of storm water and surface run-off,
n. Avoiding construction during the rainy season.
Ill. Regular and routine maintenance of systems.
d. The County, the Cities, and Kitsap Transit shall provide public education about anti-pollution measures,
such as turning off car engines while waiting at ferry terminals and parking lots; voluntary emission
checks.
4. Recognizing that the County and the Cities each encompass a range of development and density
patterns, each jurisdiction shall designate its Centers, consistent with the criteria set forth in Element
B of the Countywide Planning Policies. The following policies relate to design standards to support
transit and pedestrian travel appropriate to each type of urban and rural development or re-
development:
a. The County and the Cities shall each develop design standards for their Designated Centers that will
include specific strategies to encourage neighborhood connectivity such as residential clustering,
encouraging or requiring mixed use development; use of through streets or multiple entrances; bike and
pedestrian connections between neighborhoods.
b. In Urban Growth Areas, design standards shall require pedestrian-and transit-oriented design that
includes convenient access and safety amenities, such as lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, and ease of
access for physically challenged individuals.
c. Rural Conununities outside Urban Growth Areas shall acconunodate appropriate pedestrian/bicycle
connections and transit service and facilities consistent with rural levels of service in order to minimize
vehicle trips.
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5. The following policies relate to '· ansportation linkages between design ... ed local and regional
Centers:
a. Regional corridors shall be designated for vehicle, transit, HOV facilities, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian
travel between centers as part of the countywide transportation plan.
b. The transportation system linking Designated Centers within urban areas and Rural Communities within
the county shall be transit-oriented and pedestrian and bicycle friendly.
6. The following policies relate to freight transportation:
a. Preferred routes for the movement of freight shall be identified as part of the countywide transportation
plan.
b. The County and the Cities shall work to ensure that compatible land uses are applied along designated
freight corridors.
c. The County and the Cities shall use appropriate roadway standards for designated freight corridors.
7. The following policies relate to transportation relationships with the Puget Sound Regional Council
and the Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization:
a. The Countywide Planning Policy shall further the implementation of Vision 2020 and Destination 2030
as adopted by the Puget Sound Regional CounciL
b. The County and the Cities shall actively participate in the Puget Sound Regional Council and the
Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) to assure that transportation planning
in the two regions is consistent and accurately reflects local needs related to identified regional system
components.
c. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council shall serve as the point of coordination to assure Puget
Sound Regional Council and Peninsula RTPO planning programs are consistent and mutually beneficial
to jurisdictions within Kitsap County.
d. The Transportation hnprovement Program (TIP) for Kitsap County shall continue to be a part of the
regional TIP adopted by the Puget Sound Regional CounciL Local review, comment and recommendations
shall be coordinated through the Kitsap Regional Coordinating CounciL
8. The following policies relate to the identification of needed transportation related facilities and
services within Kitsap County:
a. The Puget Sound Regional Council and the Peninsula RTPO shall identify regional system components
and related improvements within Kitsap County with the concurrence of the Kitsap Regional
Coordinating CounciL
b. A countywide transportation plan developed by the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council shall be
prepared pursuant to the Growth Management Act to identify countywide transportation facility and
service needs. A technical committee including transit and local, regional, and state transportation
providers shall be used in this process.
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9. The following policies relate to •-. coordination of intra-county transp. .ation planning efforts:
a. The Puget Sound Regional Council reviews Cities' and the County's Comprehensive plans for
consistency of land use and transportation elements.
b. The County and the Cities shall address compatibility between land use and transportation facilities by:
1. Not using new road improvements to justify land use intensification.
11. Managing access on new transportation facilities outside Urban Growtb Areas;
m. Allowing phased development of improvements including acquiring right of way;
1v. Using comprehensive plans and development regulations to ensure that development does not create
demands exceeding tbe capacity oftbe transportation system, such as: density limits in areas outside
of Urban Growth Areas; concurrency management and adequate public facility regulation; integrated
multi-modal and non-motorized networks;
c. The County and tbe Cities shall work together in a coordinated, iterative process to periodically reassess
whether regional land use and transportation goals can realistically be met. If transportation adequacy
and concurrency cannot be met, the following actions should be considered:
1. Adjust land use and/or level of service (LOS) standards;
11. Make full use of all feasible local option transportation revenues authorized but not yet
implemented; and
m. Work witb Washington State Department of Transportation (including Washington State Ferries),
Kitsap Transit, and tbe private sector to seek additional State transportation revenues, state and
federal grants for infrastructure improvements, and local options to make system improvements
necessary to accommodate projected population growth.
d. Adjacent jurisdictions in Kitsap County shall develop consistent street classification system and street
standards.
e. Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council may establish a process for evaluating development impacts
including tbose that may affect neighboring jurisdictions within the county.
f. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council shall function to ensure that transportation planning, system
management and improvements at local, regional, and state levels are coordinated, complementary, and
consistent with adopted comprehensive land use plans.
10. The following policies relate to coordinated and consistent level of service (LOS) standards:
a. The County and tbe Cities should develop comparable level of service standards among the County,
Cities and tbe State of Washington for identified regional system components.
b. The County and the Cities shall adopt roadway LOS standards. Urban growth management agreements
shall designate level of service standards.
c. The County and tbe Cities shall adopt transit LOS in the form of "Service Standards" adopted by the
Kitsap Transit Board of Commissioners. The standards shall consider botb frequency of service and bus
capacity.
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d. The County and the Cities she.. ~oordinate with the WSDOT through tL .'uget Sound Regional Council
and the Peninsula RTPO in setting LOS standards for highways and facilities of statewide significance,
including the Washington State Ferries routes designated as such.
e. For highways and facilities of regional significance, including the Southworth ferry route, the County
and the Cities shall jointly set LOS with WSDOT through the Puget Sound Regional Council and the
Peninsula RTPO.
f. The County and the Cities shall each identify capacity deficiencies and either address them in terms of
identified funding or adjust the LOS standard on a temporary basis.
g. New development should not cause LOS to degrade to a level lower than the adopted standard,
consistent with state law.
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Element H. AFFORDABLE HO._ .iNG
The Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to encourage the availability of housing that is
affordable for all income levels at a variety of housing densities. Local jurisdictions are also encouraged to
preserve existing housing resources in their communities.
I. The following definitions relate to the Countywide Planning Policy:
a. Below Market Rate Housing shall mean housing intended for low-to-middle income households.
These income levels are further defined as follows (WAC 365.195):
L Extremely low-income shall mean those households that have incomes that are at or below 30% of
the countywide median.
JL Very low-income shall mean those households that have incomes that are within the range of 31 -
50% of the countywide median.
nL Low-income shall mean those households that have incomes that are within the range of 51 -80% of
the countywide median.
IV. Moderate-income shall mean those households that have incomes that are within the range 81-95%
of the countywide median.
v. Middle-income shall mean those households that have incomes that are within the range of96-
120% of the countywide median.
b. Market Rate Housing shall mean housing intended for households with incomes that are greater than
120% of the countywide median.
2. The following policies relate to a coordinated process among County, Cities, and housing agencies for
determining and fulfilling housing needs, and the equitable distribution of below market rate housing
in Kitsap County:
a. The County and the Cities should inventory the existing housing stock consistent with the Growth
Management Act following each decennial census review, and correlate with current population and
economic conditions, past trends, and ten year population and employment forecasts, to determine short
and long range housing needs, including rental and home ownership. Navy personnel housing policy
should also be considered.
b. Recognizing the percentage share of the existing and forecasted countywide population and the
distribution of existing below market rate housing, the County and the Cities should develop strategies
to equitably disperse projected countywide below market rate housing needs throughout Kitsap County
in the Urban Growth Areas and, where they are specifically found to be appropriate in consideration of
existing development patterns and densities, in designated Rural Communities.
c. Local housing inventories, projections, and equitable distribution strategies should be compiled and
updated under the coordination of the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council to identify countywide
conditions and projected needs.
d. The County and the Cities should each identify specific policies and implementation strategies in their
Comprehensive Plans and should enact implementing regulations to provide a mix of housing types and
costs to achieve identified goals for both market rate and below market rate housing.
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3. Recognizing that the market ph•~c makes adequate provision for those ... the upper economic
brackets, some combination of appropriately zoned land, regulatory incentives, financial subsidies,
and innovative planning techniques will be necessary to make adequate provisions for the needs of
middle and lower income persons. (WAC 365.195-070.6) The following policies relate to the provision
of below market rate housing:
a. Local comprehensive plan policies and development regulations shall encourage and not exclude below
market rate housing.
b. Below market rate housing strategies should include:
1. preservation, rehabilitation and redevelopment of existing neighborhoods as appropriate, including
programs to rehabilitate substandard housing;
n. provision for a range of housing types such as multi-family, single family, accessory dwelling units,
cooperative housing, and manufactured housing on individual lots and in manufactured housing
parks;
m. housing design and siting compatible with surrounding neighborhoods;
IV. mechanisms to help people purchase their own housing, such as low interest loan programs, "self-
help" housing, and consumer education.
c. Each jurisdiction shall promote the development of below market rate housing in a dispersed pattern so
as not to concentrate or geographically isolate low-income housing in a specific area or community.
d. Below market rate housing should be located throughout Kitsap County in a manner to provide easy
access to transportation, employment, and other services. Designated Centers should include below
market rate housing. Rural self-help housing programs should be encouraged either in or outside of
designated Rural Communities.
e. Housing policies and programs shall address the provision of diverse housing opportunities to
accommodate the homeless, the elderly, physically or mentally challenged, and other segments of the
population that have special needs.
f. Innovative regulatory strategies shall be developed and implemented to provide incentives for the
development of below market rate housing within Designated Centers. Jurisdictions shall develop
strategies which provide a wide range of opportunities for promoting the production of below market
rate housing through means such as: reducing housing cost by subsidizing utility hook-up fees and rates,
impact fees, and permit processing fees; density incentives; smaller lot sizes; zero lot line designs;
inclusionary zoning techniques, such as requiring below-market rate housing in new residential
developments; transfers of development rights and/or a priority permit review and approval process.
g. Policies and regulations shall encourage the production of below market rate housing. The County and
the Cities shall incorporate a regular review of public health and safety regulations pertaining to housing
implementation strategies to assure that protection of the public health and safety remains the primary
purpose for housing standards.
h. The County and the Cities shall participate with housing authorities established to facilitate the
production of below market rate housing. The County and the Cities shall also recognize and support
other public and private not-for-profit housing agencies. Supporting housing agencies is encouraged
through public land donations, guarantees, suitable design standards, tax incentives, fee waivers,
providing access to funding sources and support for funding applications, or other provisions as
appropriate.
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Element. K COORDINATION WITH TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
The Suquamish Tribe, the Port Gamble S 'Klallam Tribe, and other federally recognized Indian tribes have
reservations and/or trust resources within Kitsap County, Washington. These tribes are parties to treaties with
the United States Government through which certain rights and privileges both on and off reservation were
articulated and remain in effect. These tribes have authorities, responsibilities, interests and treaty rights within
their respective reservation boundaries and U sua! and Accustomed Areas. Since future growth and land use
decisions in Kitsap County affect all governmental entities, governmental agencies must be well informed and
continuously involved in regional and local planning.
1. Meaningful and substantial opportunities for early and continuous tribal government participation shall be
incorporated into regional and local planning activities.
2. Local jurisdictions should work with the tribes to develop agreements that provide for discussion on
comprehensive planning issues among governments and ensure that the tribes are consulted on issues within
their interest. The parties will jointly determine the appropriate contents of the agreements and a schedule
for completing them.
3. Tribal governments, federal agencies, and county and local governments are encouraged to coordinate plans
among and between governments and agencies to address substantive areas of mutual interest especially
where geographical areas overlay and promote complementary and cooperative efforts.
4. City and County governments are encouraged to include Tribal governments in joint comprehensive
planning and development activities for areas within the Tribes' Usual and Accustomed areas. Activities
include but are not limited to the establishment and revision of urban growth boundaries, distribution of
forecasted population; regional transportation, capital facility, housing and utility plans; and policies that
may affect natural and/or cultural resources.
5. All County, City, and Tribal government agencies shall be included in the normal public notice and
comment procedures of other agencies and kept informed of matters of interest to them.
6. The County, the Cities, and Tribal governmental agencies are encouraged to keep one another informed
about matters of local and regional interest by mutually agreeable means and schedule.
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Element L. COORDINATION\. ~·H FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
INCLUDING NAVY
The federal goverrunent has unique authorities, responsibilities, interests affecting land use and other activities. Sin(
the impacts of future growth and development in Kitsap County affect all goverrunental entities, goverrunental
agencies must be well informed and continuously involved in regional and local planning.
I. Meaningful and substantial opportunities for early and continuous federal goverrunent participation shall be
incorporated into regional and local planning activities.
2. It is recognized that constitutional and statutory provisions may constrain federal goverrunent agencies from
entering into local agreements and processes. However, when possible, the County, the Cities, and federal
goverrunents should establish intergoverrunental cooperative agreements promoting coordination and involveme
in activities that are of mutual interest.
3. Federal agencies and county and local goverrunents are encouraged to coordinate plans among and between
goverrunents and agencies to make plans as consistent and compatible as possible for properties over which they
have authority or activities they authorize and the adjacent areas affected.
4. Federal goverrunent agencies are encouraged to participate in City, County, and joint comprehensive planning ar
development activities that may affect them, including the establishment and revision of urban growth areas
encompassing, adjacent to or within federally-owned lands; distribution of forecasted population; regional
transportation, capital facility, housing and utility plans; and policies that may affect natural and/or cultural
resources of interest.
5. The following policies relate to promoting coordination among the Cities, County, and the federal goverrunent
including the Navy:
a. All jurisdictions should promote planning that considers the impact of new growth to avoid the potential for
encroachment on military readiness activities as described below when developing zoning ordinances or
designating land uses affecting military facilities. Each jurisdiction and the Navy should coordinate to identiJ
the types of development and areas of interest to the Navy, method of notice, and opportunities for comment
b. "Military readiness activities" mean all of the following:
1. Training, support, and operations that prepare the men and women of the military and Naval ships
and submarines for combat.
11. Operation, maintenance, and security of any military installation.
111. Testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation or suitability fo1
combat use.
c. "Impacts" include but are not limited to:
1. Aircraft, boat, and rail traffic.
11. Incompatible adjacent land uses.
d. Through the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, jurisdictions should monitor issues that arise in
implementing these policies, and should identify areas for improved coordination.
6. All County, City, and federal goverrunental agencies shall be included in the normal public notice and comment
procedures of other agencies and kept informed of matters of interest to them.
7. The County, the Cities, and federal goverrunental agencies are encouraged to keep one another informed of
matters of local and regional interest by mutually agreeable means and schedule.
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Element M. ROLES AND RESPOI .BILITIES
The County, Cities, Tribal governments, and special districts are all involved in planning activities related to their
statutory authority and responsibility. In addition to the responsibilities defined in previous countywide planning
policies, this section further clarifies the planning roles and responsibilities of the KRCC and member agencies.
1. The KITSAP REGIONAL COORDINATING COUNCIL was established by interlocal agreement to
assure coordination, consensus, consistency, and compliance in the implementation of the Growth
Management Act and comprehensive planning by County, city and tribal governments within Kitsap
County. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council also provides a voice for all jurisdictions and
opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to provide input to planning policies to be applied
countywide. The interlocal agreement adopted by the County, the Cities and the Tribal governments
declared that the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council is necessary to maintain a regular
intergovernmental communication network for all local and tribal governments within the county,
facilitate compliance with the coordination and consistency requirements of the Growth Management
Act, provide an effective vehicle to resolve conflict among and/or between jurisdictions with respect to
urban growth boundaries or comprehensive plan consistency, and to build consensus on planning
solutions for countywide growth management issues. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council
shall:
a. submit agreed-upon recommendations on behalf of member jurisdictions to multi-county regional
agencies and State government on proposed changes to multi-county regional plans, State plans, and
laws;
b. provide a forum, as necessary, for achieving coordination in the development oflocal plans and
resolving planning and plan implementation issues that are common among jurisdictio~;
c. promote coordination and consistency among local plans and between local plans and the Countywide
Planning Policy and the Growth Management Act to the extent necessary to achieve regional policies
and objectives. Through the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council forum, jurisdictions should establish
a process to monitor and review individual comprehensive plans and associated implementation
mechanisms To determine consistency with the Countywide Planning Policy. Further, issues related to
consistency may be brought to the attention of the Regional Council by one or more members;
d. serve as a forum _for resolving disputes locally. The process shall not preclude appeals to the Central
Puget Sound Growth Planning Hearings Board if the local process has been exhausted without
resolution of the dispute
e. promote_ coordination of educational programs and the dissemination of planning-related information of
regional interest;
f. coordinate the review, revision and monitoring_ofthe Countywide Planning Policy;
g. apply for grants and administer contracts relative to regional tasks and plans;
h. conduct the region wide growth management planning consistent with Element A. Countywide Growth
Pattemst
1. initiate and coordinate the development of other regional planning policies and implementation
mechanisms that may improve the effectiveness of the comprehensive planning process.
J. define and implement procedures that assure opportunities for early and continuous public involvement
in KRCC policy discussions facilitated by KRCC.
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2. KITSAP COUNTY is the regional government within the county boundaries providing various
services within unincorporated and incorporated areas as required and specified by law and by legal
agreements. Kitsap County shall:
a. be responsible for the development, adoption and implementation of comprehensive plans and
development regulations and the processing of land use permits for the unincorporated portions of the
county;
b. be responsible for coordinating water quality planning in multi-jurisdictional watersheds and for other
environmental planning activities as agreed to by all affected and interested jurisdictions;
c. be responsible for coordinating the response on the listing for the federal Endangered Species Act in
multi-jurisdictional watersheds as agreed by all affected and interested jurisdictions;
d. be responsible for being a regional sewer provider to the unincorporated and incorporated areas of
Kitsap County as needed to improve water quality consistent with levels of service outlined in the
County Comprehensive Plan;
e. maintain a geographic information system to serve as a regional planning data base;
f. execute Urban Growth Area Management Agreements with each city to address joint issues identified in
the Countywide Planning Policy and other matters agreed to be of mutual interest;
g. define and implement procedures that assure opportunities for early and continuous public involvement
throughout short and long range planning projects.
3. CITIES within Kitsap County provide a variety of services primarily to residents within their
respective municipal boundaries. Cities shall:
a. provide urban governmental services as identified in the Growth Management Act (Chapter 36.70A
RCW) and adopted urban growth management agreements;
b. be responsible for the development, adoption and implementation of comprehensive plans and
development regulations and the processing ofland use permits within the incorporated portion of the
respective city;
c. coordinate with other agencies as appropriate in multi-jurisdictional planning activities;
d. execute a separate Urban Growth Area Management Agreement with Kitsap County to address joint
issues identified in the Countywide Planning Policy and other matters agreed to be of mutual interest;
e. define and implement procedures that assure opportunities for early and continuous public involvement
throughout short and long range planning projects.
4. SPECIAL DISTRICTS are governmental subdivisions of the county that are usually established to
provide a defined scope of services. Special districts shall:
a. be responsible for service provision, capital facility planning and other activities as authorized by law
and legal agreements.
b. coordinate capital planning and implementation strategies with local governments to assure consistency
with comprehensive plan policies;
c. participate in service provision identification required in each urban growth management agreement;
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d. coordinate with other agencies as appropriate in multi-jurisdictional planning activities;
e. provide technical assistance as appropriate to assist local governments in comprehensive plan
development, adoption and implementation;
f. be encouraged to enter into cooperative agreements and consolidate when possible to formalize
participation in local and regional processes;
g. define and implement procedures that assure opportunities for early and continuous public involvement
throughout short and long range planning projects.
h. be responsible for service provision, capital facility planning and other activities as authorized by law
and legal agreements.
1. coordinate capital planning and implementation strategies with local governments to assure consistency
with comprehensive plan policies;
J. participate in service provision identification required in each urban growth management agreement;
k. coordinate with other agencies as appropriate in multi-jurisdictional planning activities;
I. provide technical assistance as appropriate to assist local governments in comprehensive plan
development, adoption and implementation;
m. be encouraged to enter into cooperative agreements and consolidate when possible to formalize
participation in local and regional processes.
n. define and implement procedures that assure opportunities for early and continuous public involvement
throughout short and long range planning projects.
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