Issue Papers

A major task in the initial phase of the VISION 2020 update has been the development the issue papers series. These ten papers address topics raised during the scoping process that took place in 2003 and 2004. Each paper considers the treatment of specific issues in the current VISION 2020 document, an examination of opportunities for adding specificity or clarity, and consideration of recommendations addressing possible policies, strategies and monitoring actions. PSRC's Growth Management Policy Board took an "action to proceed" on each of these papers – the dates of these actions are noted in parentheses below.

In addition, four other papers were developed to provide further information on certain topics that arose throughout the initial phase of research and analysis.

In the development of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement – in which alternatives are developed and impacts are assessed – information and recommendations contained in the issue papers has been utilized. Below is a summary of each of the issue papers:

1. Health. This paper provides an overview of how health provisions – including active living, safety, and environmental quality – can be better integrated into regional policy and planning. (January 2005)

2. Growth Targets. A report on the various processes and outcomes of assigning growth targets to counties and their municipalities in the four-county region, and how these processes might be improved. (July 2005)

3. Subregional Centers. An examination of locations smaller than the designated regional growth centers and the potential roles these places could play in accommodating significant portions of the population and employment growth anticipated by the year 2040. (March 2005)

4. Rural Areas. A study of major issues of importance in the rural districts of the region, looking especially at their long-term viability and protection. (August 2005)

5. Housing. An overview of housing issues and trends, with special attention given to projected demographics and potential housing needs in the year 2040. Innovations in providing housing, including strategies related to affordable housing, are addressed. (August 2005)

6. Environment. Assesses the current state of information and resources for environmental planning at the regional level. Considers the human impacts, trends, indicators, and implications for a variety of environmental factors, including water, air, land, and wildlife. Two supplemental papers are related to this topic: one on Energy and one on Sewers. (August 2005)

7. Social and Environmental Justice. Building on work the Regional Council is already performing on environmental justice, this paper examines issues and needs of various population groups in the region, particularly minority and low-income groups. (August 2005) – Note: this issue paper links to the PSRC’s environmental justice website, which contains documents from this and past projects with environmental justice components.

8. Demographics. This work looks at trends and population issues that are likely to be in play in the year 2040. This information is also being used to describe baseline conditions for the update. (August 2005)

9. Economics. An examination of key employment issues, with attention given to work of the region's Prosperity Partnership and efforts to maintain existing jobs and create new ones in strategic economic clusters. (November 2005)

10. Transportation. This paper develops a baseline to provide information about the strengths and weaknesses of the current transportation system in the region. It also addresses a number of transportation issues to help define where transportation improvements are needed to support and implement the VISION 2020 growth strategy and economic development efforts. (January 2006)

Informational Papers

11. Compact Growth. A study of health-related impacts related to density. (prepared by Gail Sandlin, graduate student, University of Washington)

12. Appropriate Urban Densities. An examination of current hearings board cases and case law on the issue of urban densities. Advances recommendations for allowing jurisdictions to develop average densities. (prepared by Joe Tovar, Planning Director, City of Shoreline and former member, Central Puget Sound Growth Hearings Board)

13. Vesting. A study of vested development in rural areas of the four-county region that pre-dates the adoption of the Growth Management Act. (prepared by Margo Tufts and Christina O'Claire, University of Washington graduate students)

14. Cost of Sprawl. A review of recent literature on issues relating to the provision of services and infrastructure in areas of low density development.

15. Regional Growth Centers. Information paper describing current and future land uses in the Central Puget Sound region’s Regional Growth Centers. (Prepared by Parametrix, Inc.)