In order to meet the requirements of the Washington State Growth Management Act, RCW Chapter 36.70A, the city shall amend its comprehensive plan no more than once per year. All amendments requested by the city or private parties shall be reviewed concurrently, to ensure that the integrity of the comprehensive plan is preserved. All comprehensive plan amendment requests are to be provided in writing, on a form prescribed by the clerk-treasurer, and are to be submitted no later than January 31st of every year, or the first business day after January 31st, should that date occur on a holiday or weekend. The city council may, at its discretion, accept applications after the prescribed deadline as permitted by the Washington State Growth Management Act, RCW Chapter 36.70A.

(Ord. 543 § 1 (part), 2001)

Subsequent to the receipt of a complete comprehensive plan amendment application, or direction of the city council, and following department review, at least one (1) hearing shall be set before the planning commission and one (1) hearing before the city council. Notice of the hearings shall be given by the following methods:

A.

By one (1) publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the city. The notice shall state the nature of the request; location of the property (text or diagram); the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing; and hearing body;

B.

By posting in the areas designated for posting of proposed ordinances, as identified by Section 1.06.040.

C.

In addition to the above, notice of the hearings for a site-specific amendment of the Gold Bar official comprehensive plan land use map shall be given in the following methods:

1.

By mailing the notice, postage prepaid, to the owners of property within a radius of three hundred (300) feet of the exterior boundaries of the property involved in the application, using for this purpose the last known name and address of such owners as shown upon the current tax assessor's records. Notice is deemed received two (2) days after the date of postmark. The notice shall state the nature of the request; location of the property (text or diagram); the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing, and the hearing body;

2.

By mailing the notice, postage prepaid, to the owner of the subject real property or the owner's authorized agent. The notice shall state the nature of the request; the location of the property (text or diagram); the date, time, and place of the scheduled hearing; and the hearing body. Notice is deemed received two (2) days after the date of postmark; and

3.

By posting in a conspicuous place upon the property for which the action is sought.

(Ord. 543 § 1 (part), 2001)

A.

The planning commission shall make a written recommendation on the proposed amendment whether to approve, approve in modified form, or disapprove, based upon the findings required by this chapter.

B.

Planning commission action recommending that the proposed comprehensive plan amendment be approved, approved in modified form, or denied shall be considered by the city council following commission action.

(Ord. 543 § 1 (part), 2001)

Upon receipt of the planning commission's recommendation, the city council may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the proposed amendment based upon the findings required by this chapter. Amendments to the comprehensive plan land use/zoning district map shall be adopted by ordinance. Amendments to the text of the comprehensive plan shall be adopted by ordinance.

(Ord. 543 § 1 (part), 2001)

An amendment of the comprehensive plan may be adopted only if all of the following findings are made:

A.

The proposed amendment is internally consistent with the comprehensive plan;

B.

The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, or welfare of the city;

C.

The proposed amendment would maintain the appropriate balance of land uses within the city; and

D.

In the case of an amendment to the comprehensive plan land use map, the subject parcel is physically suitable for the requested land use designation(s) and the anticipated land use development(s), including, but not limited to, access, provision of utility, compatibility with adjoining land uses, and absence of physical use.

(Ord. 543 § 1 (part), 2001)