Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Bridgeport planner updates council on comprehensive plan process

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BRIDGEPORT—City contract planner Kurt Danison occasionally visits the city council to update members on the city comprehensive plan and where the city is in the process. The regular monthly meeting on Oct. 16 was one such occasion.

“The city adopted its initial comp plan in 2001, updated in 2004, 2006, 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2023,” said Danison. “We are only allowed to amend our plan every year.”

A comprehensive plan is defined as an ordered process that determines community goals and aspirations in terms of community development. The resulting document expresses and regulates public policies on transportation, utilities, land use, recreation, and housing. 

The Growth Management Act (GMA) was passed in 1990 as a citizen initiative.

“Douglas County is one of the very few counties in the state that opted in to the GMA,” said Denison. “You had to have a population of 50,000 or more to be required to plan under the act.”

The state offered money to those communities that opted in to pay for the planning. Bridgeport received $100,000 to do its plan.

Danison defined a comp plan as “a general land use policy document that serves as a focal point plan that lays out a 20-year vision the community, sets goals, policies, and objectives to help guide you as council members when you are making decisions about what we are going to do as a community in the future,” 

Nine elements 

  • Land Use (including critical areas)
  • Housing 
  • Transportation
  • Conservation
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Economic Development
  • Capital Facilities
  • Climate Change *& Resiliency
  • Public Utilities

Bridgeport also has:

  • Unincorporated Area Development Annexation
  • Cultural Diversity

One component of the plan that Danison will bring before the council next month is the public participation or community engagement plan and how Bridgeport is going to involve the community.

“One of the basic tenets of the GMA is to have early continuous opportunities for the public to weigh in on it,” said Danison. “We will be having workshops, a survey - starting with the one done as part of the downtown revitalization plan – and adding to that.

These plans are really only as good as the information that goes into them, said Danison. “And the commitment of the community to actually follow them through.”

Danison said the reasons to get involved include:

  • Decision Making.
  • Voice concerns.
  • Contribute to local knowledge.
  • Promote sustainable growth.
  • Address social equity issues.
  • Hold government accountable.
  • Foster citizen engagement
  • Stay informed.
  • Shape the quality of life.
  • Protect property values.

“As far as the process goes, we are moving in phases,” said Danison.

Phase 1

Deliver the Work Plan and Participation Plan, including a survey, staff meetings, and open house kickoff.

Phase II

Gather and analyze information.

Phase III

Evaluate and shape information and put together draft documents.

Phase IV

SEPA Determination & checklist.

Phase V

Refine it.

Phase VI

Legislative adoption process

Danison encourages the public to perform their civic duties by attending meetings and open houses, completing surveys when received, watching for public notices, visiting the city webpage, and providing written comments.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media.

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