22.74.040 Review of selected amendments.
A. Written Analysis. For each proposed amendment that the council selects for consideration, the planning and permitting division will prepare a written analysis.
B. Environmental Review. In conjunction with the written analysis the city’s SEPA responsible official shall issue a threshold determination no later than the fourth Thursday of October.
C. Following completion of the analysis prepared by the planning and permitting division, the planning commission shall conduct one or more public hearings. The planning commission may also solicit comments regarding the proposed amendment from the public and government agencies in any other manner it determines necessary and appropriate to the nature of the proposed amendment and consistent with RCW 36.70A.140. The planning commission shall develop language for definitions, policies and goals, and provide recommendations for proposed amendments. All input of the planning commission requested by the city council shall be submitted according to the schedule established in Table 22.74.010: Schedule for Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review.
D. Criteria for Recommendation of Approval. The planning commission shall use the following criteria in considering whether or not to recommend approval or approval with modification of the proposed plan amendment:
1. Each amendment:
a. Shall not adversely affect public health, safety, or welfare in any significant way.;
b. Shall be consistent with the overall goals and intent of the comprehensive plan as amended by the proposals;
c. Shall comply with the Growth Management Act and other state and federal laws; and
d. Must be weighed in light of cumulative effects of other amendments being considered.
2. In addition to the above mandatory requirements, any proposed amendment must meet the following criteria unless compelling reasons justify its adoption without meeting them:
a. Addresses needs or changing circumstances of the city as a whole or resolves inconsistencies between the Monroe comprehensive plan and other city plans or ordinances;
b. Environmental impacts have been disclosed and/or measures have been included that reduce possible adverse impacts;
c. Is consistent with the land uses and growth projections that were the basis of the comprehensive plan and/or subsequent updates to growth allocations;
d. Is compatible with neighboring land uses and surrounding neighborhoods, if applicable; and
e. Is consistent with other plan elements as amended by the proposals.
3. Any compelling reasons relied upon to justify adopting an amendment without meeting the above criteria must be specified in the ordinance adopting the amendment. When an amendment to the comprehensive plan also requires a subsequent rezone or amendment to the development regulations both may be considered concurrently.
E. Public Hearing and Notice. The city council will review the recommendation of the planning commission and may hold a public hearing for the purpose of receiving public comment regarding the merits of proposed amendment(s). Notice of the hearing will be given pursuant to Chapter 22.84 MMC, Permit Processing. Written comments may be given by anyone to the city council regarding proposed plan amendments prior to the end of the public hearing(s).
F. Council Action. Upon receipt of a recommendation from the planning commission, the city council shall adopt, adopt as modified, deny, or remand the application(s) to the planning commission for further consideration.
G. Map Revisions. If the city council approves a change to the comprehensive plan that changes the land use designation of parcels within the urban growth area, the city council shall adopt an ordinance that amends the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map and authorizes the mayor to sign the revised map.
H. Revocation. The comprehensive plan amendment may be reversed by the city council outside of the regular amendment period, upon finding of any of the following:
1. The approval was obtained by fraud or other intentional or misleading representation;
2. The amendment is being implemented contrary to the intended purpose of the amendment or other provisions of the comprehensive plan and city ordinances; or
3. The amendment is being implemented in a manner that is detrimental to the public health or safety.
I. Appeals. State law governs the appeal process of a city council decision on a comprehensive plan amendment(s).
J. Transmittal to State. The planning and permitting division will transmit a copy of each proposed amendment of the plan to the State of Washington Department of Commerce at least sixty days prior to the expected date of final council action on proposed amendments. The planning and permitting division will then transmit a copy of all adopted amendments to Department of Commerce within ten days after the adoption by the council. (Ord. 005/2019 § 10 (Exh. B))