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City of Lake Forest Park Comprehensive Plan

The City Council passed both the Comprehensive Plan Update and the new Sensitive Areas Ordinance on December 1, 2005.  The Lake Forest Park Comprehensive Plan was originally adopted in April 1995.  The Comprehensive Plan, as required by the State Growth Management Act (GMA), is a guide for Lake Forest Park's physical and economic development.  Periodically, the plan must be updated to reflect changing conditions. 

The City of Lake Forest Park accepts applications for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map on an annual basis. The application period begins on December 1st and continues for 60 days. After the application periods ends, the Planning Director compiles a preliminary docket of all complete applications. The City Council reviews the preliminary docket and decides whether or not proposals meet the criteria set forth by LFPMC 18.14. The City Council is under no obligation to approve amendment proposals.  If City Council gives its initial consent, any approved proposals are placed on a final docket. The Planning Commission holds a public hearing on each application on the final docket and subsequently makes a recommendation for each to the City Council. The City Council will make a final decision on each proposed amendment by December 15th of the current year. Concurrent rezones, which are required for site or project-specific Comprehensive Plan amendments, will also be decided by this date. Applications forms are available from the City's website at www.cityoflfp.com, or from the Planning Department. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Lake Forest Park Planning Department at 206/368-5440.

This comprehensive plan update contains land use designations and a policy framework that will guide development within Lake Forest Park over a twenty-year planning period.  The Plan also contains goals and policies that help define the City's role in environmental protection, housing, economic development, human services, capital facilities, parks and recreation, utilities and transportation.  

The new Sensitive Areas Ordinance is a companion piece of legislation. It regulates the development and other activities on steep slopes, seismic areas, in and around streams and wetlands, wildlife habitats and in wellhead protection areas.   The City is required by the Growth Management Act to develop regulations using the best available science to protect sensitive areas.   Perhaps the most significant issue in this ordinance is the expansion of buffers next to streams from 25 to 115 feet.  If the property owner enhances the buffer, then the size of the buffer can be reduced.