2016 Comp Plan Capital Facilities & Utilities Chapter
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Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 2016 Capital Facilities & Utilities Chapter Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 201 6 Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter I. Introduction Capital facilities and utilities contribute to Bellingham's quality of life. Delivering and maintaining public facilities and The CIP is a strategic six-year utility services are essential to providing the citizens of financing plan matching the costs of future capital improvements to Bellingham with a vibrant place to live, work, and play. This anticipated revenues. chapter represents the community's policy plan for the delivery and financing of public facilities for the next 20 years, and includes a six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for financing City public facilities to ensure appropriate levels LOS is a measure of the minimum of service (LOS) are provided. Level of service standards state amount of public facility which the quality of service that the community desires and for which must be provided to meet the service providers should plan. community's basic needs and expectations. Long- and short-range financial planning presents the opportunity to fund and schedule projects so that the various steps in development logically follow one another with regard to relative urgency, economic feasibility, and community benefit. The purpose of the Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter is to identify the City’s plans to maintain its existing capital facilities, as well as to ensure adequate facilities and utility services are provided to existing and new development in an efficient manner. As the City’s projected 2036 growth forecast can be accommodated within the existing City limits and urban growth area (UGA) boundaries, capital facilities and utilities planning is focused on growth strategies established in the Land Use Chapter. Bellingham City Hall is listed on the National Planning for capital facilities and utility services are Register of Historic Places. two of the required elements of a comprehensive plan for jurisdictions planning under the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), RCW 36.70A.070. The GMA goal for public facilities and services is to: ”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.” This chapter has been produced in accordance with the GMA and the Land Use Chapter, and is consistent with the Countywide Planning Policies to evaluate the City's capability to provide the public facilities necessary to support the orderly growth in Bellingham and its UGA upon annexation. As required by the GMA, this chapter includes: 1. An inventory of existing capital facilities showing the location and capacities of those services; 2. A forecast of the future needs for such capital facilities; 3. The proposed capacities of expanded or new capital facilities; Page 1 of 57 November 14, 2016 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 201 6 Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter 4. At least a six-year plan that will finance capital facilities within the projected funding capacities and clearly identify sources of public money for such purposes; and 5. A requirement to reassess the Land Use Chapter if probable funding falls short of meeting existing needs and to ensure that the Land Use Chapter, Capital Facilities Chapter, and financing plan within the Capital Facilities Chapter are coordinated and consistent. Parks and recreation facilities are also included in this chapter. In accordance RCW 36.70A.070(4), the GMA also requires jurisdictions to identify the general location and capacity of existing and proposed utilities, including but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and natural gas lines. For organizational purposes, both the capital facilities and utilities elements have been combined into this chapter. This chapter covers: Public facilities, including but not limited to, streets and sidewalks, street lighting systems, traffic signals, water and sanitary The Picket Bridge over Whatcom Creek opened in 1920 and was rehabilitated in 2002. Photo by sewer facilities, stormwater systems, Carey Thure. government buildings, and schools. Public services, including fire protection and emergency services, law enforcement, education, recreation, environmental protection, and other governmental services. Private utilities services, including, but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and gas lines. Not all public facilities are owned and operated by the City. For example, schools are owned and managed by the school districts. Additionally, private utility and service companies supply various systems and services to the public that are not provided by the City. Joint planning with non-city public entities and utility providers is essential in maintaining the public service needs of Bellingham and provides the opportunity to coordinate plans to ensure that adequate services are provided in a timely and efficient manner. The goals and policies in this chapter implement the City's Legacies and Strategic Commitments to assist public decisions on the use of capital funds, prioritize public facility improvements, and coordinate utility and other service facilities. These concepts are further defined under the following eight categories, which form the organizational basis for the goals and policies of this chapter: Public Facilities, Services and Inventory Water, Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Systems Parks and Recreation Fire Protection - Emergency Services and Law Enforcement Bellingham Public Libraries Whatcom Museum Public Schools Private Utilities Page 2 of 57 November 14, 2016 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 201 6 Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter The chapter's eight goals mirror the City's Legacies and Strategic Commitments and emphasize the interdependence of the environment, economy and society: GOAL CF-1 Deliver safe, inclusive, cost-effective, and accountable public facilities and services. GOAL CF-2 Protect and improve Lake Whatcom and its watershed to ensure a long- term, sustainable supply of water. GOAL CF-3 Continue efforts to improve the overall water quality throughout Bellingham. GOAL CF-4 Support a safe and prepared community that responds to emergencies and protects lives and property. GOAL CF-5 Provide access to quality of life amenities and foster lifelong learning opportunities for all ages. GOAL CF-6 Promote arts and culture, and provide access to local, regional, and national history. GOAL CF-7 Ensure school districts serving Bellingham and its UGA provide adequate public school facilities needed to house the expected future student population. GOAL CF-8 Promote the delivery of adequate utilities and encourage the design and siting of private utility facilities in a manner that minimizes impacts on adjacent land uses and the environment. Page 3 of 57 November 14, 2016 Bellingham Comprehensive Plan 201 6 Capital Facilities and Utilities Chapter II. Goals and Policies Public Facilities, Services and Inventory The City of Bellingham owns and maintains a variety of public facilities, including: water, sewer and stormwater systems, parks and open space, police and fire facilities, municipal buildings, and transportation infrastructure. Schools are also considered public facilities, however, these facilities are not owned or operated by the City and service is provided by individual school districts. Several public facilities are administered by individual plans that provide the basis for financing capital projects for six years and forecasting anticipated public needs to a 20-year planning horizon. To ensure that future public facilities and services meet the community's needs and meet regulatory requirements and anticipated growth projections, the City and other public entities prepare a CIP which identifies, prioritizes, and finances capital needs on a six-year plan cycle. School districts prepare capital facilities plans (CFP) in accordance with RCW 82.02 and, if requested and adopted by the City, the district can collect school impact fees on new development to account for new capacity needs to serve growth. For City-related capital projects, the CIP is updated on a biennial cycle as part of the City’s budget process, thereby prioritizing capital facility needs to ensure appropriate levels of service with available funding. Only the first two years of the CIP include fully- funded projects. As required by the GMA, an inventory of capital facilities serving Bellingham are shown on the Capital Facilities map, Fire Protection map, and The Federal Building on Magnolia Street hosts a branch of the Post Office and City offices. Public School Districts map. For more detailed information concerning capital facilities for water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and parks and recreation facilities, see adopted facility service plans referenced below. For capital facilities relating to transportation, see the Transportation Chapter. Other private utility facilities, such as electrical, natural gas, petroleum, and telecommunication services, are discussed in the Utilities section of this chapter. An inventory of private utilities is shown on the Power, Gas, and Wireless Utilities map. GOAL CF-1 Deliver safe, inclusive, cost-effective, and accountable public facilities and services. Policy CF-1 Provide, maintain, and upgrade public facilities to meet the primary service needs of