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Boa 96 420 the county, policies provide the basis for all county land development related decisions --including plan amendment decisions. While all comprehensive plan policies are important, some have more applicability than others in reviewing plan amendment requests. Of particular applicability to these proposed amendments are the following policies and objectives. Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3 In evaluating any comprehensive plan amendment request, the most important consideration is Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3. This policy requires that at least one of three criteria be met in order to approve a comprehensive plan amendment. These criteria are: -•• a mistake in the approved plan; • an oversight in the approved plan; or • a substantial change in circumstances. Based on its analysis, staff believes that the proposed amendment to the Future Land Use Element meets the second criterion, while the proposed amendments to the Housing and Traffic Circulation Elements meet the third criterion. - Future Land Use Element When the comprehensive plan was adopted in 1990, the intended uses for the PUB land use designation were defined in Future Land Use Element Policy 1.27. Although the land containing the landfill was correctly designated PUB, Policy 1.27 did not specifically state that a landfill was one of the intended uses in PUB designated areas.. While the policy lists public utilities, which can include landfills, the best alternative would have been to specifically state that landfills and related activities are intended uses in the PUB land use designation. Therefore, Future Land Use Element Policy 1.27's omission of landfills as an intended use for the PUB designation constitutes an oversight in the approved plan. For that reason, the proposed amendment meets Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3's second criterion and is consistent with Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3. Housing Element With respect to the provision of affordable housing, several changes have occurred since comprehensive plan adoption. These changes include the introduction of several state funded programs to provide affordable housing. These programs use a specific definition of affordable housing that differs from the county's existing definition. To continue to participate in these programs, the county should amend its definition of affordable housing to match the state's definition. The creation of several state funded affordable housing programs and the adoption by the state of a definition of affordable housing that differs from the county's constitute a substantial change in circumstances. For that reason, the proposed amendment meets Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3's third criterion and is consistent with Future Land Use Element Policy 13.3. 36 October 24, 1995