H-2468

AN ACT Relating to authorized uses for master planned resorts; amending RCW 36.70A.360; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 36.70A.360 and 1991 sp.s. c 32 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

Counties that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 may permit master planned resorts which may constitute urban growth outside of urban growth areas as limited by this section. A master planned resort means a self-contained and fully integrated planned unit development, in a setting of significant natural amenities, ((~~with primary focus on~~)) which include destination resort facilities ((~~consisting of~~)) for short-term visitor accommodations associated with a range of developed on-site indoor or outdoor recreational facilities. A master planned resort may include other residential uses, conference facilities, and commercial activities supporting the resort and recreational facilities within its boundaries, but only if ((~~the residential~~)) these other uses are integrated into and ((~~support~~)) consistent with the on-site recreational nature of the resort.

A master planned resort may be authorized by a county only if:

(1) The comprehensive plan specifically identifies policies to guide the development of master planned resorts;

(2) The comprehensive plan and development regulations include restrictions that preclude new urban or suburban land uses in the vicinity of the master planned resort, except in areas otherwise designated for urban growth under RCW 36.70A.110;

(3) The county includes a finding as a part of the approval process that the land is better suited, and has more long-term importance, for the master planned resort than for the commercial harvesting of timber or agricultural production, if located on land that otherwise would be designated as forest land or agricultural land under RCW 36.70A.170;

(4) The county ensures that the resort plan is consistent with the development regulations established for critical areas; and

(5) On-site and off-site infrastructure impacts are fully considered and mitigated.

A county may allocate a portion of its twenty-year population projection, prepared by the office of financial management, to the master planned resort corresponding to the projected number of permanent residents within the master planned resort.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows:

Counties that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 may include existing resorts as master planned resorts which may constitute urban growth outside of urban growth areas as limited by this section. An existing resort means a resort in existence on July 1, 1990, and developed, in whole or in part, as a significantly self-contained and integrated development that includes short-term visitor accommodations associated with a range of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities within the property boundaries in a setting of significant natural amenities. An existing resort may include other permanent residential uses, conference facilities, and commercial activities supporting the resort, but only if these other uses are integrated into and consistent with the on-site recreational nature of the resort.

An existing resort may be authorized by a county only if:

(1) The comprehensive plan specifically identifies policies to guide the development of the existing resort;

(2) The comprehensive plan and development regulations include restrictions that preclude new urban or suburban land uses in the vicinity of the existing resort, except in areas otherwise designated for urban growth under RCW 36.70A.110 and 36.70A.360(1);

(3) The county includes a finding as a part of the approval process that the land is better suited, and has more long-term importance, for the existing resort than for the commercial harvesting of timber or agricultural production, if located on land that otherwise would be designated as forest land or agricultural land under RCW 36.70A.170;

(4) The county finds that the resort plan is consistent with the development regulations established for critical areas; and

(5) On-site and off-site infrastructure impacts are fully considered and mitigated.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.