The GMA requires that Kenmore, King County and all jurisdictions within the county develop comprehensive plans, which meet statewide planning goals, which must be considered as local jurisdictions develop and adopt comprehensive plans.

GOAL 1 Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.

GOAL 2 Reduce the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development.

GOAL 3 Encourage efficient multi-modal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans.

GOAL 4 Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all segments of the population, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.

GOAL 5 Encourage economic development throughout the state that is consistent with adopted comprehensive plans, promote economic opportunity for all citizens of this state, especially for unemployed and for disadvantaged persons, and encourage growth in areas experiencing insufficient economic growth, all within the capacities of the state’s natural resources, public services, and public facilities.

GOAL 6 Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation having been made. The property rights of landowners shall be protected from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.

GOAL 7 Application for both state and local government permits should be processed in a timely and fair manner to ensure predictability.

GOAL 8 Maintain and enhance natural resource based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries. Encourage the conservation of productive forest lands and productive agricultural lands, and discourage incompatible uses.

GOAL 9 Encourage the retention of open space and development of recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks.

GOAL 10 Protect the environment and enhance the state’s high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water.

GOAL 11 Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts.

GOAL 12 Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.

GOAL 13 Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures that have historical or archaeological significance.

For more information on State of Washington planning efforts and the Growth Management Act, go to http://www.cted.wa.gov/lgd/growth/index.html.