factors_and_objectives_for_boundary_review_boards.pdf
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FACTORS AND OBJECTIVES FOR BOUNDARY REVIEW BOARDS
 
RCW 36-93.170 Factors to be considered by board.
In reaching a decision on a proposal or an alternative, the Board shall consider the factors affecting such a proposal, which include, but not be limited to the following:

1) Population and Territory

• Population density;
• Land area and land uses;
• Comprehensive plans and zoning as adopted under RCW 35.63, 35A.63 or 36.70;
• Applicable service agreements entered into under RCW 36.115 or 39.34;
• Applicable interlocal agreements between a county and its cities;
• Per capita assessed valuation;
• Topography, natural boundaries, and drainage basins, proximity of other populated areas;
• The existence and preservation of prime agricultural soils and productive agricultural uses;
• The likelihood of significant growth in the area and in adjacent incorporated and unincorporated areas during the next ten years;
• Location and most desirable future locations of community facilities;

2) Municipal Services

• Need for municipal services;
• Effect of ordinances, governmental codes, regulations, and resolutions on existing uses;
• Present cost and adequacy of governmental services and controls in area;
• Prospects of governmental services from other sources;
• Probable future needs for such services and controls;
• Probable effect of or alternative on cost and adequacy of services and controls in area and adjacent area;
• The effect on the finances, debt structure, and contractual obligations and rights of all affected governmental units; and

3) The effect of the proposal or alternative on adjacent areas, on mutual economic and social Interest, and on the local government structure of the county.
 
RCW 36.93.180 Objectives of the boundary review board.
The decisions of the Boundary Review Board shall attempt to achieve the following objectives:

1. Preservation of natural neighborhoods and communities;
2. Use of physical boundaries, including but not limited to bodies of water, highways and land contours;
3. Creation and preservation of logical service areas;
4. Prevention of abnormally irregular boundaries;
5. Discouragement of multiple incorporations of small cities and encouragement of incorporation of cities in excess of ten thousand population in heavily populated urban areas;
6. Dissolution of inactive special purpose districts;
7. Adjustment of impractical boundaries;
8. Incorporation as cities or towns or annexation to cities or towns of unincorporated areas which are urban in character; and
9. Protection of agricultural and rural lands which are designated for long-term productive agricultural and resource use by a comprehensive plan adopted by the county legislative authority.