Res-2016-144 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Introduction Cle Elum' s development pattern is the result of its unique geography, nestled linearly in the Yakima River Corridor and the foothills of the Cascade MOWltain Range. The Yakima River defines a rich and enviroomentally sensitive river valley. The historic development activities of the Railroad, Coal Mines and Timber Harvesting, and the built environment including the Interstate 90 interchanges and the Suncadia Master Planned Resort, are the predominant influences molding the City's present and future development. The evolving character of Cle Blum will depend in large part upon the type of community the citizens will support through its land use policies. The future land use pattern of Cle Blum will strive to reflect the small toWn qualities, rich cultural history and natural beauty that current residents expect and desire to preserve. This Land Use Plan Element of the CoIllprehensive Plan examines the character and quality of existing development in both the City limits and the un-incorporated areas of the Urban Growth Area (UGA). It identifies trends and projects potential growth within recognized "opportunity areas". This Land Use Plan Element outlines the proposed general distribution and location of various uses of land within the planriing area, which consists of the City of Cle Blum and the Potential Annexation Area, which is the area within Kittitas County that is Cle Elum's designated annexation area. This element consists of two major components: (1) a map that illustrates the general location ofland use designations; and (2) goals and policies that guide future development. In addition there are reviews of existing land use trends, including future development potential and a review of policy decisions, which together have laid the foundation for the goals and policies in this element. More important than the components of the element, however, is the purpose that the element serves. The Land Use Element will guide all decisions about where development takes place. It will also guide when developIl1eOt takes place, because land use policies detennine the scheduling of capital improvement expenditures. In addition, it will guide the character of the development patterns in Cle Elum.. This Land Use Element is not only a critical part of this Comprehensive Plan, but it is a required component of the plan wI.der the Growth Management Act. Growth Management Act Requirements When the State Legislature adopted the Growth Management Act (GMA), they found that " ... a lack of common goals expressing the public's interest in the conservation and the wise use of our lands pose a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development, and the health, safety and high quality of life enjoyed by residents of this City of Cle Elum -Land Use Plan 2