August 9, 2016 Chapter1 – Introduction Chapter One
# Introduction and Growth Projections
How the Plan was Created
Whatcom County’s Comprehensive Plan is intended to **guide growth in unincorporated areas for the next 20 years** in coordination with City Comprehensive Plans. The fundamental purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to establish a framework of goals and policies to guide growth, land use, capital facility and transportation planning, and environmental protection.
The plan identifies Urban Growth Area (UGA) boundaries, Rural Areas, Agricultural Lands, Forestry Lands and Mineral Resource Lands. The majority of the county’s growth will be located within the UGAs. Several factors influenced the development of the adopted goals and polices contained in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan.
First, this plan has been reviewed for consistency with the requirements of the Growth Management Act 
(GMA), the goals of the GMA (RCW 36.70A.020 and .480), and mandatory plan elements (RCW 36.70A.070). GMA goals are set forth below:
(1) Urban Growth. Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.
(2) Reduce Sprawl. Reduce the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development.
(3) Transportation. Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans.
(4) Housing. Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.
(5) Economic Development. Encourage economic development throughout the state that is consistent with adopted comprehensive plans, promote economic opportunity for all citizens of this state, especially for unemployed and for disadvantaged persons, promote the retention and expansion of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses, recognize regional differences impacting economic development opportunities, and encourage growth in areas experiencing insufficient economic growth, all within the capacities of the state's natural resources, public services, and public facilities.
(6) Property Rights. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation having been made. The property rights of landowners shall be protected from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.
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