Update to 2044 Growth Targets
In October of 2022, the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) adopted growth targets for population and employment through the year 2044. The growth targets are consistent with the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the Puget Sound Regional Center (PSRC) Vision 2050 Regional Plan. They also inform upcoming changes to 2044 Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan Update. On January 23, 2023, the Kitsap County Board of County Commissioners adopted those growth targets.
Update to the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies
On September 27, 2021, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to consider written and verbal testimony on the proposed revisions to the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies.
Background
Consistent with the Washington State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.210), the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) underwent a review and update to goals and policies in the Kitsap Countywide Planning Policies (CPPs). This review and update process was triggered to ensure consistency with multi-countywide planning policies developed through the Puget Sound Regional Coordinating Council (PSRC) and the Washington State Growth Management Act.
Specifically, in October 2020, PSRC adopted Vision 2050 and state laws have been updated since the last update to the CPPs in 2015. Additionally, in March 2018, PSRC also adopted and incorporated into Vision 2050, the Regional Centers Framework. Kitsap County and the cities of Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Bremerton and Port Orchard are members of both KRCC and PSRC. PSRC serves as our Regional Transportation Planning Organization and Metropolitan Planning Organization. Since PSRCs adoption of Vision 2050, local countywide planning policies, such as the Kitsap CPPs, must be updated to ensure consistency no later than December 31, 2021.
The Kitsap CPPs play an instrumental role in the development of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan and implementing efforts such as development regulations and related programs. The CPPs cover a range of topics that the County and cities within utilize as a consistent framework for local comprehensive plans and development regulations. Topics covered in the CPPs include:
- Countywide Growth Patterns; and
- Urban Growth Areas; and
- Centers of Growth; and
- Rural Land Use and Development Patterns; and
- Natural Environment; and
- Contiguous, Compatible and Orderly Development; and
- Public Capital Facilities and Essential Public Facilities; and
- Transportation; and
- Housing; and
- Economic Development; and
- Coordination with Tribal and the Federal Governments.
Pursuant to the adoption and ratification process located in Appendix A of the current CPPs, Kitsap County must make a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold determination, as well as hold a public hearing to adopt proposed revisions. On July 19, 2021 KRCC transmitted to Kitsap County proposed revisions to the CPPs following their July 6, 2021 public hearing and deliberations. Following Kitsap County adoption, Kitsap cities must also ratify the new CPPs for them to become effective.
