2016 Comprehensive Plan Updates

Review Requirements


The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires the county to periodically review and revise its comprehensive plan and development regulations under RCW 36.70A.130(1).

Additionally, the GMA requires review of urban growth areas (UGAs) under RCW 36.70A.130(3). The UGAs must be able to accommodate population and employment growth projected for the 20-year planning period. Therefore, Whatcom County has initiated a multi-year project to update its Comprehensive Plan.
The Whatcom County Planning Commission issued recommendations on January 14, 2016.  These recommendations, and the Planning Commission’s findings, are posted below. 

The County Council reviewed the Comprehensive Plan, including UGA proposals, between January and August 2016.  This review included staff briefings, review of Planning Commission recommendations, city presentations, public hearings, and consideration of public input.  The Council adopted Ordinance 2016-034 relating to the Comprehensive Plan update and UGA review on August 9, 2016 

  

View the Growth Management Tools Report

   
 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update    

Chapter

Staff Final Recommendation 
March 2015

Planning Commission Final
Recommendations   
January 2016


County 
Council
Approved
Version
August 2016      
 
Maps
    Findings of Fact and
Reason for Action
Adopted
Ordinance 
   
Chapter 1
Introduction
 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Chapter 1  
Chapter 2
Land Use
 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter  2  
Chapter 3
Housing
 Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Chapter 3    
Chapter 4
Capital Facilities
 Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Chapter 4    
Chapter 5
Utilities
 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Chapter 5  
Chapter 6 Transportation                                  Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Chapter 6  
Chapter 7
Economics
 Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chapter 7    
Chapter 8
Resource Lands
 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Chapter 8  
Chapter 9
Recreation
 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Chapter 9  
Chapter 10
Design
 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 10    
Chapter 11
Environment
 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Chapter 11  
Appendix A
Glossary
  Appendix A Appendix A    
Appendix B
Acronyms
  Appendix B Appendix B    
Appendix C
Countywide Planning Policies
  Appendix C Appendix C    
Appendix D
Bibliography
  Appendix D Appendix D    
Appendix E
20 Year Capital Facilities Plan (proposed)
  Appendix E Appendix E    
Appendix E
20 Year Capital Facilities Plan (version to be deleted) 
  Appendix E Appendix E    
Appendix F
Six Year CIP
(proposed)
  Appendix F Appendix F    
Appendix F
Six Year CIP
(version to be deleted)
  Appendix F Appendix F    
Appendix G
Water Resources and
Salmon Recovery Programs
   Appendix G (incorporated
back into
Chapter 11)
   
Appendix G
Transportation Impact Fees (version to be deleted)
  Appendix G Appendix G    
Appendix H
Airport Overlay Zones
   Appendix H Appendix H    
Appendix I
Imaginary Surfaces
  Appendix I Appendix I    
 Repealed Maps        Maps  
 Repealed UGA Maps        Maps  
  • UGA Review - Jurisdictional Proposals
  • Bellingham
  • Birch Bay
  • Blaine
  • Cherry Point
  • Columbia Valley
  • Everson-Revised 8/4/2015
  • Ferndale-Revised 8/17/2015
  • Lynden
  • Nooksack-Revised 8/11/2015
  • Sumas