A. 
The planning agency of the city is responsible for the preparation of and updating of the comprehensive plan for anticipating and influencing the orderly and coordinated development of land and building uses of the city and its environs. Amendments to the comprehensive plan will be considered no more frequently than once each year, except in the event of an emergency. Proposed amendments will be reviewed concurrently so that the cumulative effect of the proposed amendments can be considered. The first time that amendments can be considered is January 1996.
B. 
Two general types of plan amendments will be considered. The first type is an annual review conducted by the city itself. This review will examine any portion or the entire plan, including a reevaluation of goals, elements, and the reaffirmation of policies. Included in this review will be plan amendments consistent with the Growth Management Act.
C. 
The second form of plan amendments relate to site-specific requests.
1. 
Anyone wishing to propose an amendment must submit the proposed amendment in writing to the city planning official.
2. 
Proposals for amendment need to include at least the following information: (a) reference to the element of the comprehensive plan that is proposed for amendment; (b) proposed amendatory language; and (c) an explanation of why the amendment is being proposed and the justification for the amendment.
3. 
All proposed amendments shall be referred to the planning agency for consideration and the planning agency, in turn, shall forward its recommendations to the city council in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
D. 
For all amendments, the planning agency shall hold at least one public hearing for the purpose of receiving public comments regarding the merits of proposed amendments. Notice of the hearing(s) shall follow the procedures set forth in Section 18.36.020. The provisions of Section 18.36.020 that refer to "the subject property" shall be followed if a proposed amendment is property specific.
E. 
A copy of the amendment(s) recommended to the city council by the planning agency shall be transmitted to Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) at least 60 days prior to the expected date of final city council action on the proposed amendment(s). A copy of any adopted amendment(s) will be transmitted to the DCTED within 10 days after adoption by the city council.
(Ord. 696, 1995; Ord. 699, 1995; Ord. 873, 2006)
The comprehensive plan shall include real property situated both inside and outside of the boundaries of the city. The planning agency shall determine the planning area boundaries that should be used to meet the needs and requirements of the city and the surrounding area. The planning agency should coordinate with agencies such as Island County and the South Whidbey School District in defining the city planning area.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 564, 1990)
The elements of the comprehensive plan shall include at a minimum:
A. 
A land use element that designates the proposed general distribution, general location, and extent of the uses of land, and shall include estimates of future population growth and statements of recommended standards of population density and building density, for the area covered by the comprehensive plan referred to in Section 18.21.020;
B. 
A circulation element consisting of the general location, alignment and extent of existing and proposed major thoroughfares, major transportation routes and major terminal facilities, all of which shall be correlated with the land use element of the comprehensive plan;
C. 
An open space, park and recreation element;
D. 
An annexation element showing goals and policies dealing with future annexations of unincorporated territory to the city;
E. 
A public utilities element showing general plans, goals and policies for the development of public services and facilities; and
F. 
Such other elements as may be recommended by the planning agency and approved by the city council, which deal with subjects relating to the development of the city or are essential to coordinate public services and programs with such development.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 564, 1990)
The comprehensive plan shall consist of maps, diagrams, charts, reports, descriptive and explanatory texts or other materials to express, explain or depict the elements of the plan. The contents of the plan shall include a consistent set of goals, policies, standards and strategies which outline and depict a recommended course of action, scheme or design for each element of the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan shall consist of two documents:
A. 
Community profile, depicting the physical, social and economic characteristics of the planning area; and
B. 
Goals and policies to guide future growth of the city and other areas comprising the city planning area.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 564, 1990)
The city council shall approve or disapprove, or modify and approve as modified, the comprehensive plan, or refer it back to the planning agency for further proceedings.
(Ord. 527, 1989; Ord. 564, 1990)