Washington State Growth Management Act
The state of Washington adopted the Growth Management Act (GMA) Chapter 36.70A RCW in 1990. Because of our population and growth rate, under the GMA. Clark County is required to adopt a 20 year comprehensive growth plan, and update it every 10 years. The first 20 year plan was adopted in December of 1994. The 10 year update (2004-2024) was adopted in September of 2004.
The necessity for the state GMA was based on this reasoning:
"The legislature finds that uncoordinated and unplanned growth, together with a lack of common goals expressing the public's interest in the conservation and the wise use of our lands, pose a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety, and high quality of life enjoyed by residents of this state. It is in the public interest that citizens, communities, local governments, and the private sector cooperate and coordinate with one another in comprehensive land use planning."
GMA Planning Goals
There are 13 planning goals to guide the preparation of the comp plan and development regulations.
1) Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.
2) Reduce the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development.
3) Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans.
4) Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.
5) Encourage economic development consistent with adopted comprehensive plans that promotes economic opportunity for all citizens. Promote the retention and expansion of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses, all within the capacities of the state's natural resources, public services, and public facilities.
6) Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. Protect the property rights of landowners from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.
(7) Applications for both state and local government permits should be processed in a timely and fair manner to ensure predictability.
8) Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries. Encourage conservation of productive forest and agricultural lands and discourage incompatible uses.
(9) Retain open space, enhance recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks and recreation facilities.
(10) Protect the environment and enhance the state's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water.
(11) Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts.
12) Ensure that public facilities and services necessary to support development are adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use - without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.
(13) Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures, that have historical or archaeological significance.
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