31.07.270 Goals, objectives, and policies

31.07.270 Goals, objectives, and policies.

This section discusses the plan for future utilities in the City. The timing of development and provision of services are key components of this planning process. In addition to the discussion below, a future land use map has been developed to illustrate the various land uses and growth management strategies.

The analysis of existing conditions and projected needs in the previous section highlighted the areas of concern and opportunities for Forks. The vision statement for the City of Forks was used, along with the inventory and analysis contained in this element, to create a plan. The plan contains a strategy for achievement of the City’s goals in light of the existing conditions in the City. The goals and policies within the plan provide guidelines and positive actions.

The plan and policies for utility issues in the FUGA are organized as follows:

•Vision Statement Goals. These goals are essential to the quality of life in the City of Forks and will remain unchanged for long-term planning.

•Utility Goals. These goals describe concepts to be used in decision-making. These goals are based on the existing conditions and projected changes in the City, and will be revised as the City changes.

•Plan Concept. A discussion relating the findings of the inventory and analysis to the goals and vision of the community. This should outline the strategies that will guide future growth and development in the community.

•Policies. The policies specify what should be accomplished to reach the goals. These policies either provide clear guidance for decision-making when a situation arises, or provide clear responsibilities that will be implemented. The accomplishments under these policies can be used to measure progress toward the goals.

A.To facilitate the development of all utilities at the appropriate levels of service to accommodate growth that is anticipated to occur in the City.

B.To facilitate the provision of utilities that are environmentally sensitive, safe and reliable, aesthetically compatible with the surrounding land uses, and available at a reasonable economic costs.

C.To process permits and approvals for utility facilities in a fair and timely manner and in accord with the development regulations which encourage predictability.

(a) Objective A: Implement Timely Processes.

Policy 1: The City shall promote, when reasonably feasible, co-location of new public and private utility distribution facilities in shared trenches and coordination of construction timing to minimize construction-related disruptions and reduce the cost of utility delivery.

Policy 2: The City will provide timely effective notice to utilities to encourage coordination of public and private utility trenching activities for new construction and maintenance and repair of existing roads.

Policy 3: The City shall encourage provision of an efficient, cost effective and reliable utility service by ensuring land will be made available for the location of utility lines, including location within transportation corridors.

Policy 4: The City will promote the extension of distribution lines to and within the Urban Growth Area. Coordinate land use and facility planning to allow eventual siting and construction of natural gas distribution lines within rights-of-way which are being dedicated or within roads which are being constructed or reconstructed.

Policy 5: The City will ensure that all maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement activities by utilities are consistent with the City’s critical areas ordinances.

Policy 6: The City will encourage communication among the WUTC and utilities regulated by the WUTC regarding the requirements of the Growth Management Act, especially the requirement that service be provided concurrently with or in advance of demand.

Policy 7: The City shall encourage system design practices intended to minimize the number and duration of interruptions to customer service.

(b) Objective B: Conservation and Conversion.

Policy 1: The City will facilitate and encourage conservation of resources to delay the need for additional facilities for electrical energy and water resources.

Policy 2: The City will facilitate the conversion to cost-effective technologies and energy sources having limited impacts upon the general environment of the FUGA.

Policy 3: The City should support development of a widespread gaseous fuel infrastructure to provide more options to reduce vehicular pollution (city fleet to cleaner fuels).

Policy 4: By 1999, the City shall achieve a fifteen (15) percent reduction of electric energy in the City’s own facilities.

Policy 1: The City will coordinate City land use planning with the utility providers’ planning. By 1996, it will also adopt procedures that encourage providers to utilize the land use element and urban growth area in planning future facilities.

Policy 2: The City will utilize maps of the existing and proposed utility facility corridors to determine consistency of such designations with the elements of the Comprehensive Plan.

Policy 3: The City will assure that the Comprehensive Plan designates areas available for the location of utility facilities.

Policy 4: The City recognizes that the utilities have an obligation to serve and provide the same level of service to all of its customers.