2024 Staff Report and Docket Item Supporting Documents

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boundary, the county must address: • the need to preserve the character of existing natural neighborhoods and communities; • physical boundaries, such as bodies of water, streets and highways, and landforms and contours; • the prevention of abnormally irregular boundaries; and • the ability to provide public facilities and public services in a manner that does not permit low-density sprawl. The rural element of county comprehensive plans allow for three types of LAMIRDs. Type I LAMIRDs consist of infill, development, or redevelopment of commercial, industrial, residential, or mixed-use areas that existed at the time a county became required to plan under the GMA. Existing areas are those clearly identifiable and contained and where there is a logical boundary delineated predominately by the built environment. Existing areas may also include undeveloped lands as provided by the logical outer boundary. With the exception of industrial areas, any development or redevelopment within a mixed-use area must be principally designed to serve rural populations. Type II LAMIRDs consist of the intensification or new development of small-scale recreational or tourist uses that do not include new residential development. Type II LAMIRDs are not required to principally serve rural populations. Type III LAMIRDs consist of isolated intensified development of nonresidential uses or of new development of isolated cottage industries and small-scale businesses. Type III LAMIRDs are not required to principally serve rural populations but must provide job opportunities for rural residents. Type III LAMIRDs may allow the expansion of an existing business, or new small-scale business, so long as there is conformance to the rural character of the area. 2022 Legislative Updates to Limited Areas of More Intensive EjEal Developments. In 2022, the Legislature amended statutes governing Type I LAMIRDs. The amendments provide that within a Type I LAMIRD, any development or redevelopment in terms of building size, scale, use, or intensity may be permitted subject to confirmation from all existing providers of public facilities and public services to serve any new or additional demand from the new development or redevelopment. Development or redevelopment may include changes in use from vacant land or a previously existing use so long as the new use is consistent with the local character. Any commercial development or redevelopment within a mixed-use area of a Type I LAMIRD must be principally designed to serve the existing and projected rural population and meet the following requirements for any included retail or food service space: • must not exceed the footprint of the previously occupied space or 5000 square feet, whichever is greater, for the same or similar use; and Senate Bill Report -2- SSB 6140