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Change is inevitable. Existing buildings will need remodeling, repairs or
improvements. New buildings will be constructed. Land use will change, as each
property owner's needs change to meet economic conditions. Resistance to change
is the desire to remain, as we are, protect what we are accustomed to. We resist
change because we feel that the new may not be better than the old. As a
homeowner we typically want to maintain our neighborhoods, protect our
investments and keep our lives unhampered by government, taxes and traffic. We
resist changes that affect these homeowner values and rights. Yet, as a property
owners we want the assurance that our property rights will not be infringed upon
and that we will be able to use our land or make changes on our land that will
allow us to earn a living and to benefit our families.
The purpose of this comprehensive plan is to meet the requirements of the Growth
Management Act by identifying Cashmere's land use goals and policies. These
goals and policies will be used to make decisions and to balance the equally
important rights of those who want to use their land and those who want to
protect their land. Goals and policies will become the basis upon which city
zoning codes, building codes and land use regulations will be established or
updated. Thus, goals should clearly state the public opinion regarding which
land uses are compatible or not compatible, and therefore, whose property rights
will have preference when deciding what future developments should be permitted
by the city.
Since many of the future developments that will affect Cashmere are located
outside of the city limits it is important that this plans and Chelan County's
Comprehensive Land Use Plan are complementary. Countywide planning policies as
well as the overall policies of the Growth Management Act are intended to assure
that all levels of government are communicating and working towards respective
plans that are compatible and consistent with the Growth Management Act Goals
(Appendix B) and Chelan County Policies (Appendix C).
This comprehensive land use plan starts the balancing process by making goal
statements for the future. Methods to attain each goal are stated as policies of
the City. This plan is not carved in granite, and should be periodically
reviewed and amended to reflect new economic, social or environmental issues.
Purpose: Describe general distribution and location of land uses, considering
factors of population density, building density, population growth, social and
environmental considerations and the ability to provide future governmental
services.
Land Use Element
The land use element is the aggregate of all other elements of this plan.
Designating land uses and standards for development requires that consideration
of Cashmere's ability to adequately provide utilities, maintain roads, and
support other services. Therefore, the goals, objectives and policies of the
land use element must be supported by all other elements of the plan.
To establish goals and policies for the city, consideration was given to many
sources of information. Public involvement, existing land uses, limitations to
land development, population statistics are a few of the areas examined to
assist in making estimates for future demand for development. Additionally,
Cashmere's land use policies must be consistent with Growth Management Act goals
and with Chelan County's countywide planning policies.
Purpose: Make a twenty year projection on future demands for all city
governmental services that could occur outside of existing city boundaries.
Urban Growth Area
Chelan County has the responsibility of determining what portions of the county
will be included into an urban growth area (Appendix B). Each city within Chelan
County has been included into an urban growth area along with that area around
the city, which is most likely to request future city services. Each city must
work with the County to determine what capacity the city has to provide future
services for new development in the urban growth area. The Cashmere urban growth
area is shown on map 1, page 71.
The Growth Management Act limits future annexations into Cashmere to include
only properties, which are included within the urban growth area. Chelan
County's countywide planning policies stipulate that the county will
periodically review and may amend urban growth areas. Amendments to the urban
growth area boundary may result in changes to the projections for future city
services made in this plan.
The Growth Management Act also requires counties and cities to coordinate
planning in urban growth areas. Development in urban growth areas should be
consistent with adjacent city land uses and must be consistent with the city's
ability to provide services (as needed). Therefore, this comprehensive plan
includes recommendations from the City of Cashmere to Chelan County with respect
to new development in the urban growth area that will be consistent with the
city's abilities to provide future services. Chelan County may incorporate these
recommendations into their land use plan. In 1997, Chelan County and the five
cities established a memorandum of understanding to assure a coordinated effort
in every urban growth area. According to the memorandum the County will permit
developments in the urban growth areas that meet each city's respective
standards.
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