20.285.040 Review Process.
A. Overall Timing. Except as noted herein, all comprehensive plan map or comprehensive plan text amendments will be reviewed concurrently and not more than once per calendar year. Site specific zoning map amendments applying to properties proposed for comprehensive plan map changes shall also be submitted at that time. All other zoning map or zoning text amendments may be reviewed independently and more frequently than once per year.
B. Pre-Application. Comprehensive plan or zoning map amendments proposed by private parties shall require a pre-application conference. The conference shall be scheduled upon receipt of a complete Map Amendment Pre-application Form. Based on the information provided, the pre-application conference is intended to provide for a discussion of major issues and concerns and possible staff recommendation. Staff will provide a written summary within 14 days following the conference. Pre-application conferences are nonbinding, and do not vest the development rights of the proposals involved. Pre-application conferences shall not be required for city initiated map amendments, or text amendments initiated by any party.
C. Review Body.
1. All proposed Comprehensive Plan or zoning map or text changes shall be initially reviewed by the planning commission unless noted herein.
2. Standalone zoning map changes that propose to shift from one residential zoning designation to the next most or least intensive designation, and are accompanied by a proposed subdivision, shall be reviewed by the hearings examiner.
3. Development agreements accompanying a proposed zoning map change shall be reviewed by the body reviewing the map change.
D. Hearings Process. The planning commission at a duly advertised public hearing shall develop and forward a recommendation for approval, approval subject to modifications or conditions, or denial to the Vancouver city council. The Vancouver city council shall hold a duly advertised, open record public hearing to make final decisions on the planning commission recommendation.
E. Timing Exceptions. The following comprehensive plan changes may be reviewed more frequently than once per year.
1. The initial adoption of a subarea plan.
2. The adoption or amendment of a shoreline master program pursuant to Chapter 90.58 RCW.
3. The adoption or amendment of the capital facilities or transportation element of the comprehensive plan is undertaken concurrently with a related budget action.
4. The adoption of comprehensive plan amendments necessary to enact a Planned Action under RCW 43.21C.031(2).
5. Comprehensive plan amendments concurrent and related to an annexation.
6. Corrections of scrivener or mapping errors. Scrivener or mapping errors are defined as minor map or text errors in the comprehensive plan or development regulations which were clearly unintended and inconsistent with the record of their original adoption, as determined by the city. Correction of such errors shall be submitted by the city only, at no charge to parties demonstrating the error.
7. Emergency comprehensive plan amendments, defined as a change of community wide significance, and including but not limited to the following:
a. Action necessary to address threats to public health or safety.
b. Action necessary to ensure that the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan are not substantially obstructed.
c. Action necessary to respond to an order from the Growth Management Hearings Board or competent court of law.
F. Periodic comprehensive plan updates. At least once every eight years or as otherwise provided by state law, the city shall initiate a periodic review of the overall comprehensive plan and land use regulations. Within the calendar year of such review the city may alter the procedural requirements herein, although other approval criteria of this chapter shall still apply. (Ord. M-3643, 01/26/2004)