Updating Our Comprehensive Plan

Tonight's focus:

Economic Development Public Facilities& Services

Tonight’s Agenda

Background Presentation Breakout Session Report on Findings/Discussion That’s It!

Adopted by State Legislature in 1990

Requires governments to manage growth by:

Implementing Comprehensive Plans through Capital Investments & Development Regulations

Designating Urban Growth Areas Identifying & Protecting Critical Areas

and Resource Lands

Growth Management Act

o Update Deadline: December 2006

Comprehensive Plan Elements

Land Use Transportation Housing Economic

Development Parks & Recreation

Public Facilities & Services

Utilities Community Design Natural Environment Cultural Environment

Ways to Participate

Beginning Steps… Visit our GMA Update webpage

www.cityofwenatchee.com Public Survey Opportunities & Challenges Mapping Take a Picture!

Get on the Contact List Public Workshops Comment Sheet/Note cards

Public Workshops Schedule

TOPIC DATE TIME PLACEEconomic Development & Public Facilities

Tonight! 7:00 PM WCC - Grand Apple North

Parks/Recreation & Cultural Environment

TuesdayFeb 21st

7:00 PM WCC - Fuji Room

Community Design & Housing

TuesdayFeb 28th

7:00 PM WCC - Grand Apple North

Land Use & Transportation

Tuesday March 7th

7:00 PM WCC - Fuji Room

GMA Update Schedule

Step 1: Review Existing Conditions/Early Public Input (through mid-March 2006) Profile Identify issues Propose solutions

Step 2: Draft Plan and Alternatives (March – June) Complete environmental review draft Propose goals and policies Public input

Step 3: Release Draft Plan/Implementing Regulations (July – December) Final environmental review Public hearings City adoption

Economic Development

What is Economic Development? Improves the well being and

quality of life for a community.1. By creating and retaining family

wage jobs,2. And growing the tax base through

private investment. (WEDA)

Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Corporate Headquarters Wenatchee Valley Medical Center

Emerging Issues

o Regional Center

o Entrepreneurial Support

o Quality of Life

o Facilities and Infrastructure

Regional Center

Wenatchee is the urban center for a 4-5 county area. Services sought: governmental, health, educational,

arts, culture and leisure. Trade area population projection: > 268,275. Recent planning efforts recommend mixed-use

development. Large, single purpose, land &/or power consumptive uses outside the city.

How will we focus economic growth?

Where does mixed use development make sense?

How should the city adapt to the loss of industrial users?

Central Wa Hospital How can the city strengthen its role

as the regional center?

Entrepreneurial Support

91% of County businesses have fewer than 20 employees. 9% of Wenatchee’s residents are self employed. Unprecedented transfer of wealth can be captured to provide

innovative mechanisms for start up financing. “Innovation” clusters: Electric & Alternative Energy,

Tourism/Recreation/Arts, Agriculture & Ag Tourism, Medical/Health/Fitness, Government, & Technology-based support.

How can the city better support the development of small business and the “creative class”?

What can the city do to foster development of the necessary educational infrastructure?

How can the city support the identified industry clusters?

Confluence Tech Center

Quality of Life

The Center for the New West study identified the relationship between quality of place and economic growth.

With the advances in technology, entrepreneurs can locate where they want versus having to locate close to their chosen industry.

recreational infrastructure to aid entrepreneurial recruitment?

How can the city support the development of the arts and culture as a means to invigorate innovative business development?

What can the city do to encourage a more aesthetically pleasing environment?

How can the city support the development of

Facilities and Infrastructure

o Growth depends on regional infrastructure, e.g. the transportation system (car, air, rail).

o The Center for the New West study: need to resolve regional issues to support business growth & development: airport improvements; 4-lane highway access; access by tourists; & access to 4-yr level higher education.

How can the city continue to facilitate solutions to shared infrastructure needs?

George Sellar Bridge

Public Facilities & Services

What are Public Facilities & Services?

“Public facilities" include streets,sidewalks, road lighting & traffic signals, water, storm and sanitary sewer, parks and recreational facilities.

"Public services" include fire protection, police, public health, education, recreation, environmental protection, and other governmental services.

* Those in red will be discussed at a later workshop.

Emerging Issues

Gangs

Water Availability

Solid Waste

Xeriscape Demo Garden

Wenatchee Police Building

Police

How can the city reduce the impact of gangs?

o In 1997, Chelan County juveniles (age 10-17) had some of the highest per capita arrest rates in the State.

o Two surveys of South Wenatchee residents showed safety as the top concern:

1999: 65% concerned about safety2000: 45% safety as top concern

Water Availability

Eastbank Aquifer balance: est 20-25,000 Equivalent Residential Units

15,600 housing units to meet population forecast in greater Wenatchee

PUD proposing to extend water to Monitor

How far out should the city plan for domestic water demand?

Wellhead at Eastbank Aquifer

Solid Waste

Reducing waste will extend life of landfill. Recycling is generally not available to

apartments and commercial customers and outside the city limits.

Chelan County Solid Waste Program.

How can the city work to reduce waste, including household hazardous waste, as well as promote recycling and composting?

Breakout Session

4 Groups Prioritize Issues - “Penny weighting” Discuss any proposed solutions to

issues Identify Emerging Issues missed Review prioritization of issues Report on findings