What is the Purpose of a Comprehensive Plan?

A comprehensive plan is the official document that establishes a series of goals, policies, and benchmarks to guide the future development of the city, including development regulation decisions of elected officials and local government staff.

The comprehensive planning process builds consensus and commitment on these goals and policies from elected and appointed officials, staff, the overall community, and other interested parties. The final adopted comprehensive plan allows the city to be proactive and manage its growth to achieve the community’s vision.

Growth Management in Washington State

Comprehensive planning in Washington is performed under the Growth Management Act (GMA), a legislative package requiring certain cities and counties to adopt comprehensive plans to manage population growth. The City of Mountlake Terrace is required to plan under the GMA and must adopt a comprehensive plan satisfying the requirements by December 2024.

The Office of Financial Management is tasked with developing population projections for each jurisdiction. Mountlake Terrace is required to determine where growth (population, housing units, and jobs) should occur and use their comprehensive planning process to make sure the city can accommodate the projections (RCW 36.70A.115). 

The comprehensive plan is organized into Elements, which include the following:

• Environment 
• Economic Vitality
• Housing
• Land Use
• Recreation, Parks, and Open Space 
• Transportation
• Capital Facilities 
• Utilities 

Recent changes to state law also need to be addressed through the comprehensive planning process, such as housing affordability, equity, and climate change.

The GMA places an emphasis on implementation, since most goals and polices in a comprehensive plan cannot be achieved without strong regulatory and financial support (such as zoning, capital spending, and non-capital spending).

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