Discussion of Multicounty Planning Policies

The analysis of the four alternatives in this environmental impact statement are part of a process that will lead to an updated VISION 2020 strategy, complete with updated multicounty planning policies. This section discusses the existing policies, along with possible revisions for the updated VISION.

What are multicounty policies and how are they used?

Multicounty planning policies adopted according to the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.210(7)) are essentially countywide planning policies adopted by two or more counties. According to the Act, multicounty policies are written policy statements that are used for the purpose of establishing a regionwide framework from which the county and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted. Multicounty policies have both a practical and a substantive effect on the comprehensive plans of cities and counties. VISION 2020 includes the multicounty policies for the four-county region.

The following sections of the DEIS discuss existing VISION 2020 multicounty planning policies, along with possible revisions for the updated VISION.

Environment

In the 1995 VISION strategy, the environment was addressed in the section titled Open Space, Resource Protection and Critical Areas, as well as through the air quality related assessment of transportation. Open space was recognized as a broad term that could include environmentally sensitive areas, nature resource lands, as well as parks and trails. The VISION called for development of a greenspace strategy, which resulted in the completion of some initial work in the form a regional greenspace database. Air and water quality protection were tied to local comprehensive plan development and implementation.

Development Patterns

This section focuses primarily on land use – including the region's urban form or land use typology, along with other features of the built environment, especially housing. The 1995 VISION 2020 strategy presented a land use typology with three basic categories: (1) urban areas, (2) rural lands, and (3) open space, critical areas and resource lands.

Economy

The existing VISION's economic strategy description identifies a number of principles and objectives designed to address economic needs based on public-private perspectives, balancing these demands with public resources, and developing information to support decision-making. The current VISION emphasizes business retention, expansion, and diversification through public-private coordination that helps to identify needs. It also recognizes the unique business needs in centers, to enhance the viability of centers and complete communities by providing adequate housing, employment, amenities and transportation. The 1995 strategy calls for supporting viable economic growth in rural areas and land use management practices that protect long-term productivity. It also discusses the need to identify transportation and communications investments that are necessary to support economic activity, accessibility, and the flow of people, information and goods. Finally, the existing economic provisions describe the need to build a regional database to track the economy and support decision-making.

Transportation

A hallmark of both VISION 2020 and Destination 2030, which is the transportation functional plan for VISION 2020, is the foundational principle that land use and transportation are mutually supportive and therefore inextricably linked. The way land is developed affects mobility and accessibility – and vice versa. Both VISION 2020 and Destination 2030 have received national recognition for addressing land use and growth strategies as part of the overall transportation plan for the central Puget Sound region. The transportation system in VISION 2020 and Destination 2030 calls for connecting multiple regional centers. Additional emphasis is also placed on improving total regional mobility within and between the region's diverse communities by preserving the basic elements of all transportation modal systems. These documents also recognize that transportation is a vital component of a vibrant and economically sound region. More recently, as the Regional Council has taken on the development of a regional economic strategy, there is a recognition that each land use and transportation decision involves an economic nexus.

As envisioned in VISION 2020, the region's future will include development in designated urban growth areas where services can be provided efficiently and where employment and housing growth will be focused in centers. The region's land development pattern is to be served by an integrated and coordinated transportation system. This system includes roads, local and high capacity transit, ferries, freight facilities, aviation, and nonmotorized facilities. More than 40 multicounty transportation policies are in the regional strategy and they support an overall goal to "develop a transportation system that emphasizes accessibility, includes a variety of mobility options, and enables the efficient movement of people, goods and freight, and information" (Policy RT-8).

Public Services and Facilities

The discussion of public services and facilities in the 1995 VISION occurs primarily in two sections: Contiguous and Orderly Development (see discussion above under Development Patterns) and Regional Capital Facilities. The current document discusses public services and facilities in very general terms. There is little mention of specific types of services; there are only limited references to health and human services facilities, parks, and wastewater facilities. One policy calls for developing a process for siting regional public facilities – which has not been completed (RF-3.2).

Next steps

Review Public Comments. All comments received on this section of the DEIS during the public comment period in early 2006 will be reviewed and considered in the development of the preferred growth alternative and draft multicounty planning policies.

Develop Draft Multicounty Planning Policies. Once a preferred growth alternative has been selected, revised multicounty planning policies will be drafted. The preferred alternative and draft policies will then be released in a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for review and comment. The SEIS will be released in autumn 2006 and followed by a 45-day public comment period. Input and feedback received during this period will be reviewed and considered and the draft policies will be revised accordingly. Revised draft policies, along with revisions to the preferred growth alternative, will then be finalized for review and action by the region's elected officials. Final action on the updated VISION and the updated multicounty planning policies will take place in spring 2007.