Whitter Comprehensive Plan 2020 Submitted to: City of Whittier Dave Dickason, Mayor Jim Hunt, City Manager Whittier Planning and Zoning Commission Charlene Arneson, Chair Accepted by City Council on January 21, 2020 Submitted by: City of Whittier – 2020 Comprehensive Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 1: Introduction and Plan Overview............................................................................ 6 Purpose of the Plan ........................................................................................................................6 Contents of the Plan ......................................................................................................................7 Methodologies and Public Involvement ..........................................................................................7 Vision Statement ...........................................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Historical and Background Information ................................................................. 9 The City of Whittier – Historic Information .....................................................................................9 Geography and Topography ......................................................................................................... 11 Climate ........................................................................................................................................11 Flora and Fauna ........................................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 3: Demographics, Cost of Living, and Housing ......................................................... 14 The People of Whittier – Population ............................................................................................. 14 Current Population ............................................................................................................................. 14 Projected Population .......................................................................................................................... 14 Cost of Living in Whittier .............................................................................................................. 15 Housing .......................................................................................................................................16 Buckner Building................................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 4: City Administration and Municipal Services ........................................................ 19 City Administration ...................................................................................................................... 19 City Council ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Planning and Zoning Commission ...................................................................................................... 19 Port and Harbor Commission ............................................................................................................. 20 City-Owned Facilities .......................................................................................................................... 20 Municipal Services ....................................................................................................................... 20 Public Safety ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Public Works ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Chapter 5: Education, Recreation, and Non-Municipal Facilities ........................................... 22 Education ....................................................................................................................................22 Educational Awards ............................................................................................................................ 23 Recreation ...................................................................................................................................23 Non-Municipal Facilities ............................................................................................................... 24 Prince William Sound Museum .......................................................................................................... 24 Non-denominational Christian Churches ........................................................................................... 24 Health ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Chapter 6: City Revenues and Expenses ............................................................................... 25 Governmental Funds 2018 ........................................................................................................... 25 Revenues ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Expenditures....................................................................................................................................... 25 Cruise Ship Tax Special Revenue Fund ............................................................................................... 27 1 City of Whittier – 2020 Comprehensive Plan Enterprise Funds 2011-2018 ......................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 7: Utility Services .................................................................................................... 31 City-Provided Public Utilities ........................................................................................................ 31 Water .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Sewer .................................................................................................................................................. 31 Public and Private Utility Services ................................................................................................. 31 Electric Power Supply ......................................................................................................................... 31 Telecommunications .......................................................................................................................... 32 Solid Waste Services ........................................................................................................................... 32 Natural Gas ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 8: Transportation ................................................................................................... 33 Land Transportation ..................................................................................................................... 33 Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel ..................................................................................................... 33 Road System in Whittier ..................................................................................................................... 34 Pedestrian and Bicycle System ........................................................................................................... 35 Shotgun Cove Road ............................................................................................................................ 36 Trails ................................................................................................................................................... 37 Railroad .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Freight ................................................................................................................................................ 39 Marine Transportation ................................................................................................................. 40 Rail Barge Dock ................................................................................................................................... 40 Cruise Ships ........................................................................................................................................ 41 Ferry System ....................................................................................................................................... 43 Small Boat Harbor .............................................................................................................................. 44 Private Marina .................................................................................................................................... 46 Air Transportation 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