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 Public Survey Opportunities & Challenges Mapping Take a Picture!  Get on the Contact List  Public Workshops  Comment Sheet/Note cards

Public Workshops Schedule TOPICDATETIMEPLACE Economic Development & Public Facilities Tonight!7:00 PMWCC - Grand Apple North Parks/Recreation & Cultural Environment Tuesday Feb 21 st 7:00 PMWCC - Fuji Room Community Design & Housing Tuesday Feb 28 th 7:00 PMWCC - Grand Apple North Land Use & Transportation Tuesday March 7 th 7:00 PMWCC - 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 safety 2000: 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