Res 92-118
RESOLUTION NO.
92-118
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON, ADOPTING THE
COUNTYWIDE PLANNING POLICIES PURSUANT TO RCW
36.70A.210
FINDINGS:
For the purposes of meeting the requirements of the State
of Washington Growth Management Act to establish a countywide
framework from which comprehensive plans are to be developed as
specified in RCW 36.70A.210,
the City Council of the City of
Federal Way makes the following findings:
1.
The
Countywide
Planning
Policies
("Policies")
describe
the vision
for King County
and provide
the
initial
strategies to be used by the City of Federal Way and other local
jurisdictions, acting individually and cooperatively, to achieve
that vision.
2.
RCW 36.70A.210 requires that King County ("county"),
as the legislative authority, adopt the Policies no later than
July 1, 1992, through a process agreed to by the county, the City
of Seattle ("Seattle"), Federal Way and other incorporated suburban
cities and towns (collectively "suburban cities"),
3.
The county, Seattle, Federal Way and suburban cities
established that process through an interlocal agreement creating
the Growth Management Planning Council
("GMPC") .
The GMPC is
comprised of the King County Executive, five members of the King
County
Council,
three
representatives
of
Seattle,
and
six
1
COpy
representatives of the suburban cities, including Federal Way, with
three votes, and one ex-officio member representing the Port of
Seattle.
4.
After six months of deliberation which included
public workshops and hearings, the GMPC adopted and recommended the
Policies to the Federal Way Council.
5.
On July 15, 1992, at the request of the Federal Way
City Council, the Federal Way Planning commission held a public
hearing to obtain citizen comments on the Policies, and the City
Council has reviewed those comments.
6.
The
City
Council
finds
that
the
existing
environmental documents adopted by King County, as lead agency for
this action, on May 5, 1992, and the supporting addendum issued on
June 18, 1992, are adequate under the State Environmental Policy
Act
("SEPA")
for the purposes of the City I s
adoption of the
Policies.
7.
The county and Federal Way recognize that additional
work is planned and necessary to further refine the policies with
regard to numerous issues,
including but not limited to urban
centers, manufacturing and industrial areas and centers, affordable
housing,
mobility,
transportation,
economic
development,
rural
character,
provision of urban services,
including services
in
potential annexation areas, and adjustments to the Urban Growth
Area.
Based on this work, the GMPC will recommend amendments to
the Policies to the county, the City of Federal Way and suburban
cities.
These amendments would be subject to further environmental
2
review, and adoption by the county and ratification by the cities.
The results of this work would be a refined set of Policies.
A
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) will analyze the
impacts of the proposed set of refined policies and will consider
reasonable alternatives to those policies.
Attachment A lays out
the work program and timetable for refining the policies.
8.
wi th respect
to the Urban
Growth Area
("UGA")
Boundary a number of study areas have been identified which require
additional consideration by the GMPC.
Recommendations on the UGA
Boundary will be developed by the county in cooperation with the
affected cities, neighborhoods, property owners and the general
public.
Changes to the adopted UGA Boundary may be recommended to
the county by the GMPC and subject to their adoption and City
ratification.
9.
The
Policies
provide
for
the
coordination
and
regulation of public and private development and bear a substantial
relationship to, and are necessary for, the public health, safety,
and general welfare of the City of Federal Way and its residents.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL
WAY, WASHINGTON:
SECTION 1.
The Policies attached hereto are hereby
approved and ratified by the City of Federal Way for purposes of
complying with RCW 36.70A.2l0; to provide a policy framework for
developing
and
updating
King
County
and
City
jurisdictions'
comprehensive plans; to provide a policy framework for interim
controls to the extent the policies expressly require them; and to
3
establish a program for the additional work necessary to refine,
amend and implement the Policies, including SEIS review and fiscal
analysis.
SECTION 2.
The City's ratification of the Policies are
with the understanding that the county will implement the major
planning requirements of the Growth Management Act ("GMA") in three
phases,
each accompanied by the appropriate scope and level of
environmental review pursuant to both the GMA and SEPA and fiscal
review.
Phase I is the adoption of the Policies for the purposes
described in Section 1.
Phase II is the process for refinement of
the
Policies
through
proposed
amendments
to
them,
and
the
preparation of an SEIS and a fiscal analysis.
Phase II, which will
begin upon adoption of the Policies, is described in Section 3.
Phase III is the review and adoption of amendments to the City of
Federal Way Comprehensive Plan.
Phase III will incorporate any
changes made to the Policies in Phase II.
SECTION 3.
In Phase II the GMPC will reconvene no later
than December
1992
to
evaluate the
following
information
and
recommendations
in
connection
with
preparing
amendments:
nominations
of
urban
and
manufacturing/industrial
centers
by
affected
jurisdictions;
the target numbers
for population and
employment
by
jurisdiction;
recommendations
from
the
Rural
Character, Affordable Housing and Economic Development Task Forces;
further fiscal analysis; analysis of mobility and transportation;
other relevant information and public comment.
GMPC will consider
the results of the additional work and may recommend amendments to
4
the Policies to the city.
Any such recommended amendments shall be
subject to adoption by the City and ratification by the suburban
cities
according
to
the
formula
in
the
interlocal
agreement
creating the GMPC.
Further fiscal analysis of the Policies, any
proposed
amendments
and
alternatives
will
be
prepared
and
circulated for public comment.
The objectives
of the
fiscal
analysis are to a) provide information on the anticipated financial
and economic impacts on the individual, and on the private and
public sectors,
and b)
determine how these impacts affect the
fiscal viability of the individual and of the private and public
sectors.
A SEIS will be prepared for the proposed refined set of
Policies resulting from the work described in this Section.
The
SEIS will analyze the probable significant environmental impacts,
including countywide
impacts,
of
the proposed refined set
of
policies and reasonable alternatives to those policies.
The scope
of the, environmental impact statement will be based on a public
scoping process pursuant to WAC 197-11~408.
SECTION 4.
The Policies shall become effective when
ratified by ordinance or resolution by at least thirty percent
(30%) of the city and county governments, including Federal Way,
representing seventy percent (70%) of the population of King County
according to the inter local agreement.
cities shall be deemed to
have ratified the Policies unless,
wi thin ninety
(90)
days of
adoption by King County, the city by legislative action disapproves
the Policies.
5
SECTION 5.
Preparation of the Phase II SEIS and fiscal
analysis,
and
the
City
comprehensive
plan
amendments
and
regulations to implement the Policies shall commence upon and
subject to completion of the ratification process set out in
Section 4.
The Policies will affect the City's land use decisions
when
the
City's
comprehensive
plan
or
land
use
regulations
implementing the policies are adopted.
SECTION 6.
Should any section, subsection, paragraph,
sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution or its application to
any person or circumstance be declared unconstitutional or invalid
for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portion of this resolution or its application to other
persons or circumstances.
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON, this ~ day of
September
, 1992.
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
/~
ATT}i: X
~~C
.{, / r/ ,u" ~
\ ~ITY , ISí.UREEN M. SWANEY, CMC
/
~~.~
MAYOR, ROBERT STEAD
AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY, CAROLYN A. LAKE
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: August 26, 1992
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: September l, 1992
RESOLUTION NO. 92-118
MAR YKlRES\CNlYWID E, RES
6
J.
Critical Areas
Most jurisdictions in Kin¡; County have sensirive areaS ordinances in place or under development.
These rer;ulations are tailored to rhe specific nEEds of each jurisdicrion and are not likely to be
modified based on another jurisdiction's re[¡ulations. It is important to p,omcre re[¡ional policies ¡hat
do not erode existin¡; re¡;ularicns while providin¡; ¡;uic'ance for achiel'in; consistency and
compatit!lïity amonr; them.
A.
FW.3
FW-4
B.
CA.1
CA.2
CA.3
CA.4
GMA:pol
Overall Environmental Protection
All jurisdictions shall protect and enhance the natural ecc5)'s~ems throcQh comprehensive
plans and policies. and develcp re¡¡ulations that reflect natural constraints and protect
sensitive features, Land use and development shall be reQuieted in a manner which
respects fish and wildlife habitat in conjunction with natural features and functions.
includinQ air and water Quality. Natural resources and the built environment shall be
managed to protect. improve and sustain environmental Quality while minimizing public and
private costs.
Puget Sound, floodplains, rivers, streams and other water resources shall be managed for
multiple beneficial uses including flood and erosion hazard reduction, fish and wildlife
habitat, agricultur.., open space. water supply, and hydropower. Use of water resources
for one purpose shall, to the fulieSlextent possible, preserve and promote oppor1unities for
other uses.
Wetlands Protection
All jurisdictions shall use as minimum standards, the 1989 Federal Manual for IdentifyinQ
and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands and reference the 1989 manual in their wetlands
proteCtion ordinances.
In the Icng term. all juriSdiCtions shall work to establish a sin,¡¡'e countywide classification
system for wetla;¡ds.
Within each basin. jurisdictions shall formulate their reculatioc,s and ocher non-regulatory
methods to accomplish the following: pro¡ection of wetlands; aSSure no-net-Ioss of wetland
functions; and an increase of the quantity and quality of the wetlands. The top class
wetlands shall be untouched,
Implementa¡ion of wetland mitigation should be flexible e;¡ough to allow for protection of
systems or corridors of connected wetlands. A tradeoff of s,,",all, isolated wetlands in
exchange for a larger connected wetla-,d system can achieve grea¡er resource protection
and reduce isolation and fragmentation of wetland habitat.
Page 9
06/10/1992
c.
Aquifers
Currently, there are five Ground Water Manar;ement Plans underway in Kinr; Counry: Redmond,
Issaquah, East Kinr; County, South Kinr; County, and Vashon. The state Departmenr of Ecology
has designated Seattle-King County Department of Public Health as the lead ar;ency- Each plan is
prepared in conjunction with an advisory committee with representatives from suburban cities,
businesses, private well owners, environmer;tal r;roups, and state er;encies. The plans will idenrify
aquifer recharge areas and propose strater;ies for protection of r;round water throur;h preservation
and protection of the aquifers.
CA-S
D.
CA-6
CA-7
CA-8
CA-9
All juriSdic.ions shall adopt regulalions .0 prOlect the quali;y and quantity of groundwater
where appropriate:
a.
Jurisdictions that are included in Ground Water Management Plans shall support the
development, adoption, and implementation of the Plans; and
The Seanle-King County Department of Public Heal:h and affected jurisdictions shall
develop countywide policies ou.lining best manager71ent practices within aquifer
recharge areas to protect public health.
b.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat
Adjacent jurisdictions shall identify and protect habitat networks that are aligned at
jurisdictional boundaries. Networks shall link large protected or significant blocks of habitat
within and between jurisdictions to ochieve a continuous countywide network. These
networks shall be mapped and displayed in comprehensive pians.
All juriSdic.ions shall idemify cri.icol fish and wildlife habi.a.s and species and develop
regulations that:
a.
b.
Promo.e their pro.ection and proper management; and
Integrate notive plant communities and wildlife whh other land uses where possible.
Natural drainage syslems including ¡¡ssoci¡¡.ed riparian and shoreline habitat shall be
maintained and enh¡¡nced 10 prolecl w¡¡ter quality, reduce public COSIS, proteCI fish and
wildlife habitat, and prevent environmen:al degradation. J¡jrisdiclions within shared basins
shall coordinale regula lions 10 manage basins and natural drainage syslems which include
provisions 10:
a.
Prolecl the nalurol hydraulic and ecological funclio,-,s of drainage syslems, mainlain
and enhance fish and wildlife habil¡¡l. and restore and maimain Ihose nalural
functions;
Conlrol peak runoff rale and quantity of discharges from new development 10
approximale pre-developmenl roles; and
Preserve and prOlect resources and beneficial functions and values Ihrough mainte-
nance of slable channels. adequate low flows, and reduclion of future S10rm flows,
erosion, and sedimemalion.
b,
0,
Jurisdiclions shall mainlain or enhance waler quality Ihrough con1rol of runoff and besl
managemenl praclices 10 maimain nalural aqualic communi.ies and beneficial uses.
CA-l0 The Washington Slale Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife and Ihe Indian Tribes bOlh
manage fish and wildlife resources- However. local governmems have aulhority for land
GMA:pol
Page 10
06/10/1992
E.
use regulation. Jurisdictions shall coordinate land use planning and management of fish and
wildlife resources with affected state aQencies and the federally recognized Tribes.
Frequently Flooded Areas
The State adopted comp,ehensive flood le;islëtion in 1991 ISenate Bill 5411) that mëkes the GMA
requirement for coordination and consistency on flood hazard rer;ulations much more explicit.
AccorCin{ì to the new le{ìislation, counties are to develop flood hazard control manar;ement plans
with the full participation of jurisdictions within the planning areas. Once adopted by the county,
cities wirhin flood hazll,d planning lIreliS must comply with the mana;ement plan. The draft
Countywide Flood Hazard Reduction Plan is currently being re\'iewed by affected jurisdictions
before transmittal to the King County Council for consideration a,1d adoption. ", -. -
-- '-7' ",.'/'¿,r,..",:,'.,.,;,,-
CA.11 All jurisdictions shall adoPt andÍmpleC'1~~t 'the ;~íev;rî'Í ¡¡¡ne'ral and la'nd use policies of the
Flood Hazard Reduction PI"n and de"'ei:~ a~~ropriate re~:.;lations for implementation and
enforcement of the Pian. Reguia',ions shall:
F.
a.
Reduce flood impacts on existing development by reducing risk and regulating new
development;
Reduce long term public and private costs;
Protect natural flood storage and conveyance fur,ctions; and
Develop an enforcement program.
b.
c.
d.
Geologic Hazard Areas
CA.12 All jurisdictions shall regulate development on cer-.ain lands to protect public health,
property, important ecological and h\,drogeol'~gic functions, and environmental quality, and
to reduce public costs. The natural features of these lands include:
G.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Slopes with a grade greater than 40%;
Severe landslide hazard areas;
Erosion hazard areas;
Mir.e hazard areas; and
Seismic hazards.
e.
Regulations shall include. at a minimuC'1, provisions for vegetation retention, seasonal
clearing and grading limits, setbacks. and drainage and erosion controls.
Air and Water Quality
CA,13 All jurisdictions, in coordination with the Puget Sound Air Pollution Contro! Agency and the
Pu,get Sound Regional Council. shall develo~ policies, methodologies and standards that
promote regional air Quality. consistent with the Countywide Policy Plan.
c.';.14 All jurisdictions shall implement the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan to restore
and protect the biological health and diversity òf the Puget S~und Basin,
GMA:pol
Pace 11
06/1011992
H.
CA-15
GMA:pol
Implementation
King County shall establish a technical committee to facilitate environmental protection
which is to include representatives of the county, the cities, ¡he federally recognized Tribes.
business community. environmental community. public utilities. special districts. and
interested citizens. The committee will serve as a depository of regulations and policies
adopted by jurisdictions in King County.
Based on information provided by all jurisdictions, the committee shall prepare a repor1 by
December 1993 which addresses consistency and compatibility of regulations and
designations, cumulative impacts. and education programs. The repor1 should be designed
to assist jurisdictions in developing permanent regulations with optimal consistency among
the jurisdictions.
Page 12
06/1011992
II.
Land Use Pattern
A.
Resource Lands:
Agricultural, Forestry, and Mineral
The prOTecTion and mana{;ement of resource lands in Kin{; Counry is a re¡;ional concem and a major
objecril'e of The COUnrywide planning policies. The vaST majority r;f resource la,'ds are locaTed in
unincorporated King County. These areas were idenrified and prarecred under The 1985 King
COunTy Comprehensive Plan and subsequenr communiTy plans and re¡;ularions,
LU-2
~4K
LU.3
LU.4
LU-5
GMA:pol
FW.5
LU-,
The land use pat1ern for the County shall protect the natural environment by reducing the
consumption of land and concentratic,;¡ development. Ur:,a" Grc",.th Areas, Rural Areas.
and Resource Lands shall be designa~ad and the necessary implememing regulations
adopted. This includes Countywide es~abIishment of a bouno'ary for the Urban Growth
Area. Local jurisdictions shall establish these land use designations, based on the
Countywide Planning Policies.
Agricultural and forest lands are protected primarily for their long.term productive resource
value. However. these lands also provide secondary :,e,-,efits such as open space, scenic
views and wildlife habitat, All juriSdictions should encoL;rage utilization of natural resources
through methods that minimize the im~acts on these secondary benefits. Resource lands
also contain an abundance of critical areas that shall be ~rotected in accordance with
adOPted State and local regulations.
All juriSdictions shall protect existing resource lands withi, t-eir t'Dundaries that have
long-term commercial significance for resource prOduct;c",. .!:'ny designated agricultural and
forestry lands shall not be considered far urban development. Jurisdictions are required to
enact a program authorizing the transfsr Dr purchase of development rights for designated
forest or agricultural areas within Urban GrOWth Areas. At the request of any city, King
County will work to reinstate the King County Purchase of Development Rights Program
andlor establish an interjurisdictional transfer of deveIopr-.,ent rights program to protect
these resource lands in accordance with the GMA.
Existing mineral extractive and processic,g operations Dr designated sites may be annexed Dr
incorporated to a city only if there are policies and regulatiDr,s in piace to protect the long
term viability for continued operation ac,d ensure adequate reclamal;Dn and enhancement of
the site once operation ceases.
All juriSdiclions shall encourage com~êlible land uses adjacent 10 natural resource areas
which support utilizalion of the resource and minimize conflicts among uses. Each
jurisdiction is responsible for implemen:ing the piat and permit notification requirements for
properties within 300 feet of the resource land, as specified in RCIY 36. 70A as amended.
JuriSdictions will consider an increased distance for nOI¡¡icat;Dn and nOtification to titles 10
property within Dr adjacent to the reso.'ce lanes.
All juriSdictions shall require mineral eXtraction and processing ooerations and agricultural
practices to implement best management practices 10 reduce environmen1al impac1s and
mitiga1e any unavoidable impacts.
êage 13
06/1 0/1992
B.
Rural Areas
The vast majority of rural areas a's located in unincorporated Kin!) County. These areas were
identified and re!)ulated throu¡;h The 1985 Kin!) County Comprehensive Plan and subsequent
community plans and re!)ulaTions. While counties are the jurisdictions specified by the GMA 8S
responsible for desilinatin!) and reliularin!) rural areas rhrou!)h their comptehensive plans, the
("., protection of Kin!) County's rural Mea is a reliional issue and a fundamental objective of the
I ", I' countywide plannin!) policies.
,\1~
FW-S
"N
")" ' ,~ì
~ .:\J
'~'./ '
FW.7
lU.S
lU-7
lU.8
lU-9
Urban GroWth Areas. Rural Areas. and Resource lands shall be designaled and Ihe
necessary implemenling regulalions adopled. This includes Countywide eslablishment of
an Urban Growlh Area. local jurisdiclions shall establish these land use designalions,
based on the Counlywide Planning Policies.
All jurisdiclions acknowledge that rural areas provide an overall benefit for all residents of
King County, Strategies 10 fund infras~ructure and services in rural areas may be needed to
support a defined rural level of service. Towns and cilies in the rural areas play an
important role as local trade and ccmmunity cenlers.
Through the Countywide Planning Policy process, King County. with the cooperation of the
cities, shall be responsible for designating rural areas consistent with GMA. In designating
long term rural areas, King County shall foster better use Df limited public funds by allowing
service providers tD establish distinctly rural facility and service standards,
Designated rural areas are considered tD be permanent and shall not be redesignated tD an
Urban GrDWth Area. Future groWth should be accommodated by efficient use Df existing
urban land within the Urban GrDWth Area. AnnexatiDn of rural areas tD cities shall be
prohibited. When annexation cf rural areas is necessary tD link two urban areas, that
intervening rural area shall be designated as permanent urban separator at low rural
densities,
Designated rural areas shall have low densities which can be sustained by minimal
infrastructure improvements, such as septic systems and rural roads, without degrading the
environment Dr creating the necessity for urban level Df services.
The GMPC shall establish a subcDmminee tD develop an DutcDmes.based policy
recommendation Dn the definition Df rural character and incentives for protection Df rural
areas. The subcommiTtee shall have proportional representation from King County. SeaTtle
and suburban cities and shall make its report tD the GMPC by October 1. 1992. The
definition shall consider rural densities, clus:ering and Dther tools tD protect rural character.
Incentives tD be considered include:
a.
b.
Assess land in rural areas Dn ils current use;
Facilitale small land Dwners Qualifying land for special calegories such as fDresl,
wellands. riparian zones;
DevelDp programs for direct marke~ing Df produce in urban areas;
ReinfDrce right ID farm and foresl praclices in rural areas; and/Dr
DevelDp services through exisling agencies wilh rural expertise.
c.
d.
e.
lU.10 Rural areas designated by King County shall remain rural. AdditiDnal rural areas shall be
designaled by King County through adopliDn Df a land use map authorized by the GrDwth
Management Planning Council. These addiliDnal areas meet at least Dne of the following
crileria:
GMA:PDI
Page 14
OS/t O/t 992
a.
Opportunities exist for small scale farming ~nd forestry which do not qualify for
resource land designation;
The rural designation serves as a buffer for designated resource lands or sensitive
areas;
Significant environmental constraints make the area generally unsuitable for
in¡ensive urban development;
Major physical barriers exist to providing urban services at reasonable COSt;
The area is contiguous to other designated rural areas. resource areas Dr sensitive
areas;
The area has outstanding scenic, historic, andlor aesthetic value that can best be
protected by rural land uses and densities; and
The area has limited public services. eX1ension of full services is nOt planned. and
inlill at higher densities is not feasible or necessary to meet regional goals.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g'
Criteria specified in L U.I Orr;) permits the redesir;nalion of urban lands in King County to rural.
These areas have not received a full range of services, such as se.'..ers, and are developed er
densities which are too low to support cast.effecrive provision af a/I <:rban services. The inclusio.o
' of these ne.'o' rural a,eas will carry out re{1ioral policies by focusi:c,{) re." c'e.'elapment to urban
arees that are pranned to have full urban services.
LU-11
/ kJ'r
v- Ay¿ .
, L."
,,/ LU-12
Low-denSity urban areas meeting the criteria of LU-1 O(g) shall be redesignated rural and
zoned for rural residential densities. Legally created existing lots within the rural area are
legal building sites as authorized in the King County Code.
To maintain rural character, and to minimize the need for additional infrastructure. while
maximizing undeveloped land available for traditional rural uses, clustering of new
development shall be required on' all existing parcels of contiguous ownership of ten or
more acres, provided that clustering s;-,all be designed and scaied to be consistent with
rural area character.
\'--7-
King County, cities ihat are adjacer,t to or are surrounded by rural designated areas, and
other agencies that provide services to rural areas shall form a technical comminee to
prepare a manual on rural infrastructure design, lire/wildfire protection, and service
standards.
LU-13
c.
Urban Areas
The following policies establish an Urban Growth Area rUGA) and methoc's to phase deveiopment
within this area in order to bring certainty to long-term plannin(; and development within the
county. The Urban Growth Area is a permanent desi{1nalion. Land outside the Urban Growth
Area is desir;nated for permanent rural and reSOu,ce uses, except for the cities in the rural aree.
Countywide policies on rural and resource areas are found in Chapter IIA, Resource Lands, and
Chapter I/IB, Rural Areas.
~he capacity in the Urban Growth Area for Fowth, based on adopted plans and re(;ulations,
.. 'xceeds tlie 20-year minimum reQuirement of the GMA according to the current popu/ation
¿~C'" forecasts. In the future, a/I u,ban r;rowrh is to be accommodated within permanent urban areas by
increasing densities, Phasing is to occur within the Urban Gro"'lh Area to ensure that services are
provided as r;rowth occurs. All cities Bre to be within tha Urban Gro"llh Aree. Cities in the rural
area are to be UGA islands.
~r
r r~
GMA:pol
Fage 15
06/1 0/1992
FW-8
FW.9
The land use pat1ern for King County shall protect the natural environment by reducing the
consumption of land and concentrating development. An Urban Growth Area. Rural Areas.
and Resource Lands shall be designated and the necessary implementing regulations
adopted. This includes countywide establishment of a boundary for the Urban Growth
Area. Local jurisdictions shall make land use decisions based on the Countywide Planning
Policies-
The Urban Growth Area shall provide enough land to accommodate future urban
development. Policies to phase the provision of urban services and to ensure efficient use
of the growth capacity within the Urban GroW1h Area shall be instituted.
,. Urban Growth Area
The GMA requires Kinfl County to desl~nate an Urban Growth Area fUGA} in consultation with
cities. The Countywide Planning Policies must establish an Urban Gro¡'.'th Area that contains
enough urban land to accommodate at least 20 years of new popu.'õ;ion End employment growth.
The GMA states: "based upon the population forecast rr;ade for ;he county by the Office of
Financial Manacement, ;he Urban Growth Areës in ;he county shall include areas and densities
sufficient to permit urban growth thõt is projected to occur in the county for the succeeding
twenty-year period. Each Urban..Grcwtt.-Au.a. shall Germi! ,<rban densities and shall include
greenbelt and open space area~ A UGA map is aI/ached. '
.-
LU.14 The lands within the Urban GroWth Area (UGA) shall be characterized by urban
development. The UGA shall accommodate at least the 20-year projection of popul.tion
and employment groWth with a full range of urban services. The Countywide PI.nning
Policies shall establish the Urban GroWth Area based on the following criteria:
.\ '1
" I
a.
Include all lands within existing cities, including cities in the rural area and their
designated expansion oreas;
The GM?C recognizes thot the Beor Creek Master Plan Developments (MPDsJ ore
subject to an ongoing review process under the adopted Bear Creek Community
Plan .nd recognizes these properties as urban under these Countywide Planning
Policies. If the applic.tions necessary to implement the MPDs are denied by King
County or not pursued by the applicant!s!. then tr,e property subject to the MPD
shall be redesignated rur.1 pursuant to the Bear Creek Community Plan. Nothing in
these Planning Policies sholl limit the continued review and implementation through
existing applications, capital improvements oppropr;.tions or other approv.ls of
these two MPDs as new communities under the Growth Management Act.
Not include rural land or unir,corporated agricultural, or forestry lands designated
through the Countywide Planning Policies plan process;
Include only areas already characterized by urban development which can be
efficiently and cost effectively served by roads. water, sanitary sewer and storm
drainage, schools and other urban services within the next 20 years;
Do not eX1end beyond natural boundaries. such as watersheds. which impede provi-
sion of urban services;
Respect topographical features which form a natural edge such as rivers and ridge
lines; and
Include only areas which are sufficiently free of environmental constraints to be able
to support urban growth without major environmental impacts unless such areas are
designated as an urban separator by ¡meriocol agreement between jurisdictions.
b,
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
LU.15 Urban separators are low density areas or oreas of lit1le development and must be within
the Urban Grov.1h Area, Urban separators sholl be defined as permanent low density lands
GMA:pol
Page 16
06/1011992
which prOJect reSource lands and enYirOnmen1ally sensi1i"e areas ar,d creale open space
corridors within and belween urban areas which provide environmer,lal. visual. recreational
and wildlife benefits. These lands shall not be redesignated in the fulure to other urban
uses or higher densities.
2. Phasing Development within the Urban Growth Area
De.'elopment in the urban area WIJ/ be phased to promote efficieN use of the land, add cerlainty to
infrastructure planning. snd to ensure that urban services can be provided /0 urban de.'elopment.
The minimum densiries 'equired by LU-51 help ensure the efficier;; use of the land. Phasin{} will
further ensure coordinatio,ry of infrastructure and development. Urba" areas in jurisdictions which
do not have urban services snd are not scheduled to receive urban services within 10 years shall be
subject to phasin{} requirements.
LU-16 Wi¡hin the Urban Grov....h Area. grO".~h should be direc:ed as follows: a) firs¡, 10 cenlers
and urbanized areas wi¡h existing intrasHucture capaci,y; bJ second, 10 areas ,'chich are
already urbanized such Ihat infrasHucture improvements can be easily e",ended; and cJ
las¡, 10 areas requiring major infrasHuc1Ure improvements.
LU-17
All jurisdiclions shall develop growlh phasing plans by identifying areas for grOWlh for Ihe.
next ten and Ihe neXt twenty years where necessary urban services can be provided. These
growth phasing plans shall be based on locally adopted definitions. service levels. and
financing commitments, consistent with Slale GMA reQL:iremen1S. The len and ,wenty
year grow¡h phasing plans for cities shall not extend beyond their Potential Annexation
Areas. Interlocal agreemenlS shall be developed Ihat specify the applicable minimum
zoning, development standards. impact mitigation and future annexation for ¡he Pcter,tia'
Annexation Areas.
LU-18 V,'here urban services cannot be provided w¡¡hin the neXt 10 years, jurisdictions should
del'eJop policies and regula¡ions to:
a.
Phase and limit development such that planning. siling. densities and ir,frasHucture
decisions will support future urban development when urban services become avail-
able; and
Eslablish a process for conver:ing land to urban censiti:s and uses Once services
are available.
b.
3. Joint Planning and Urban Growth Areas around Cities
The GMA requires each oounty to desi{}nate Urban Growth Areas, in consultarion Wilh cities.
Within the countywide Urbôn Growth Area, eêCh city will idantify land needed for its {;fowlh for
the next twanty years. Although the GMA does not explicitly eQuale Urban Growth Areas with
municipal annexation areas, the Urban G,owth Areas ôround cities may be considered poteMial
expansion areas for cities.
FW-10
Chies are the appropriale provider of local urban services to urban areas ehher directly or by
conHacl. Counties are the appropriale proyider of most countywide services. Urban ser-
vices shall not be extended through Ihe use of special purpose districts without the
approval of the city in whose potential annexation area the extension is proposed. Within
the urban area, as time and conditions warrant. cities should assume local urban services
provided by special purpose districts.
GMA:pol
?age 17
06/1 0/1992
LU-' 9
In collaboration with adjacent counties and cities and King County, and in consultation with
residential groups in affected areas, each city shall designate a potential annexation area,
Each potential annexation area shall be specific to each city. Potential annexation areas
shall not overlap. Within the potential annexation area the city shall adopt criteria for
annexation, including conformance with Countywide Planning Policies, and a schedule for
providing urban services and facilities within the potential annexation area. This process
shall ensure that unincorporated urban islands of King County are not created between
cities and strive to eliminate existing islands between cities,
LU-20 A city may annex territory only within its designated potential annexation area. All cities
shall phase annexations to coincide with the ability for the city to coordinate the provision
of a full range of urban services to areas to be annexed,
LU-2'
Land within a city's potential annexation area shall be developed according to that city's
and King County's groWth phasing plans. Undeveloped lands adjacent to that city should
be annexed at the time development is proposed to receive a full range of urban services.
Subsequent to establishing a pote"tial an,exation area, inldl lands within the potential
annexation area which are not adjacent or which are not practical to annex shall be
developed pursuant to interlocal agreements between the County and the affected city.
The interlocal agreement shall establish the type of development allowed in the potential
annexation area and standards for that development so that the area is developed in a
manner consistent with its future annexation potential. The interlocal agreement shall
specify at a minimum the applicable zoning, development standards. impact mitigation, and
future annexation within the potential annexation area.
LU.22 Several unincorpora¡ed areas are curren¡ly considering local governance options.
Unincorporated urban areas that are already urbanized and are within a city's potential
annexation area are encouraged to annex to that city in order to receive urban services.
Where annexation is inappropriate, incorporation may be considered.
Dev(f/opment wirhin the potential annexarion area of one jurisdicrio,~ may have impacrs on adjacent
jurisdictions.
LU.23 A jurisdiction may designate a potential impact area beyond its potential annexation area in
collaboration with adjacent jurisdictions. As par't of the designation process the jurisdiction
shall establish criteria for the review of development proposals under consideration by other
jurisdictions in ¡he impact area.
The GMA has a provision !)rantin!) counties rhe discretion to disband ¡he Boundary Review Boards
after comprehensive plans and development re!)u!a¡ions a'e adopted. The fol/owin!) policy provides
direcrion for considerin!) wherher to disband ¡he Boundary Review Board for Kin!) County.
LU.24
GMA:pol
Upon the adoPtion and ratification of the Countywide Policies. the King County Council
shall convene a meeting with municipal elected officials to determine a process for
disbanding the Washington State Boundary Review Board for King County and establishing
criteria to oversee municipal and special district annexations, mergers, and incorporations in
King County. Until the Washington State Boundary Review Beard for King County is
disbanded. it should be governed in its decisions by the interim urban growth area boundary
and the adopted and ratified countYwide planning policies. The criteria shall include. but
not be limited to:
a,
b.
Conformance with Countywide Planning Policies;
The ability of the annexing jurisdiction to demonstrate a capability to provide urban
services at standards equal 10 or bener than the current service providers; and
Page'8
06/,01,992
c.
Annexations in a manner which discourages unincorporated islands of
development.
The GMA requi,es That city and COUnTy comprehensive plans be coorrfi,nated Md consiSTenT with
one another. Consistency is required "where Ihe,e a'e common borde's or relaTed re[;ional issues'
IRCW 35. lOA. 100), Joint plannin[; is fundamental to all Ihe framework policies.
LU.25 All jurisdictions shall cooperate in developing comprehensive plans which are consistent
with those of adjacent jurisdictions and with the counTywide planning policies.
4. Cities in the Rural Area
The cities and unincorporated towns in the rural areas are a si[;nificant part of King County's
diversity and heriTa[;e. Cities in this caTe[;ory include: Black Diamond, Carnation, Duvall,
Enun;c;ew, NOrTi) Ber;d, Sr;OQuêlm;e êr;d Skf'kcn'Jish. Thoy heve an imporrênt 'O:ê êS 10cêlTrêde
Md community centers. These cities ênd 10""r;s are ¡he êppropriale p,oviders of local rural
services for Ihe communiTy. They also contribule to the variaty of c'e.'elopmer;¡ paTlerns and
housing choices within Ihe county. As municipalilies, the cities are TO provide urban services and
be localed within desi[;naled Urban Growth Areas. The urban services, residential densities and
mix of lend uses may differ from those of the lêf[;e, [;enerally weSlern Urban Growlh Area.
LU.26
In recognition that cities in the rural area are generally not contiguous to the counTywide
Urban Growth Area, and to protect and enhance the options cities in rural areas provide,
these cities shall be located within an Urban Grow:h Areas. These Urban GroWth Areas
generally will be islands Separate from the laroer Urban Grov..h Area located in the western
portion of the county. Each city in the rural area, King CounTy and the GMPC sr,all work
cooperatively to establish an Urban Growth Area for that city. Urban Growth Areas must
be approved by the GMPC by January 1, 1993. The Urban Growth Area for cities in rural
areas shall:
a.
b,
Include all lands within existing cities in the rural area;
6e sufficiemly free of environmental coc,straints to be able to support rural city
growth without major environr-.,ental impacts;
6e contiguous to city limits; ar,j
Have boundarias based on natural boundaries, such as ',','aterSheds, topographical
features, and the edge of areas already characterized by urban development.
c,
d,
LU-27 Cities in the rural are'" shall include the following characteris:ics:
D.
a.
Shopping. employment, and services for residents. supplies for resources industries.
including commercial, industrial. and tourism development at a scale that reinforces
the surrounding rural characteristic;
Residential development, including small-lot single-family. multifamily. and
mixed-use developments; and
Design standards that work to preserve the rural. srnall.town character and promote
pedestrian mobility.
b.
c,
Urban and Manufacturing/lndustrial Centers
Urba" Centers are envisioned as areas of concentrated emplor'mert acd housin¡;, wi,h direct
service by hi[;h cepaciry trensir, and a wide rõn¡;e of olher lend uses slJch as reTeil, recrearional,
public fecifiries, parks end ope.o space.
GMA:pol
Page 19
06/10/1992
Urban Centers are desi{ined to 1) strenwthen exisrin¡; communilies, 2) ptomole housin¡; opportuni-
lies close to employment, 3) support develcprr:ent cf an extensive transportation system to reduce
dependency on aulomobiles, 4) consume less land wirh urban de>'elopmenr, and 5) maximize the
benefit of public investment in i,.;fraslructure and services. 5) reduce costs of and time required for
permittin¡;, and 7) evaluate and mitiwale environmental impacls.
Manufacturin¡;/Industrial Employment Centers are key components cf the re¡;ional economy. These
areas are characterized by a si¡;nificant amount of manufaClurin¡; or c,her industrial employment.
They differ from other employment areas, such as Business/Office parks Isee A'V-13 and
LU.58.52), in that a land base is an essential element of Iheir cperarion.
FW.11 Within the Urban Growth Area. . limi1ed number cf Urban Centers which meet specific
criteria es1ablished in the Countywide PlanninQ Policies shall be locally desiQnated. Urban
Centers shall be characterized by all of the foliowinQ:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Clearly defined geographic boundaries
Intensity/density of land uses sufficient to support effectIve rapid transit;
Pedestrian emphasis within the Center;
Emphasis on superior urban design which reflects the local community:
limitations on single occupancy vehicle usage durinQ peak hours or commute
purposes;
A broad array of land uses and choices within those uses for employees, residents;
Sufficient public open spaces and recreational opportunities; and
Uses which provide both daytime and nighrtime activities in the Center.
e.
f.
g.
h.
FW.12 Within the Urban Growth Area, the Countywide PlanninQ Policies shall assure a number of
10cally-desiQnðted ManufacturinQllndustrial Centers which meet specific criteria established
in the Countywide PlanninQ Policies will be locally designated. The Manufacturingllndustrial
Centers will ,be and are characterized by the followin;¡:
FW.13
a.
b.
Clearly defined Qeographic boundaries;
Intensity/density of land uses sufficient to support manufacturing and industrial
uses; and
Reasonable access to the regional highway. rail. air a~d/or waterway system for the
movement of goods.
c.
Urban and Manufacturingllndustrial Centers shall be complemented by the land use pattern
outside the centers but within the urban area. This area shall include: urban residential
neighborhoods. activity areas. business/office parks. and an urban open space network.
Within these areas, future development shall be limhed in scale and intensity to support the
countywide land use and regional transponation plan.
1. Urban Centers Designation Process
LU.28 The location and number of Urban Centers in King CouMy will be determined through the
joint local and countywide adoption process. based on the following steps:
GMA:pol
a.
b,
The Countywide Planning Poiicies include specific criteria for Urban Centers;
By October 1, , 992, local jurisdictions shall determir,e if they will contain an Urban
Center(s), Jurisdictions electing to contain these centers will provide the GMPC
with a statement of commitment describing the city's intent and commitment to
meet the Centers' criteria defined in these policies and a timetable for the required
Page 20
06/1 0/1992
c.
Centers Programmatic Environmental Impact Statemer,t or idenlification of existing
environmental documentation to be used; and
By December 1. 1992, the GroWth Management Planning Council shall review and
confirm the Centers that are elected by local jurisdictions (consistent with Policy
FW.1!. or make adjustments based on:
1)
The Center's location in the region and its potential for promoting a
cour,rywide system of Urban Centers;
The total number of centers in the county that can be realized over the next
twenty years. based on twenty years projected grow1h;
The type and level of commitments that each jurisdiction has identified for
achieving Center goals; and
Review of other jurisdictional plans to ensure that grow1h focused to
Centers is assured.
2)
3)
4)
2, Urban Centers Criteria
LU-29
Each jurisdiction which has designated an Urban Center shall adopt in its comprehensive
plan a definition of the urban center which specifies the exact geographic boundaries of the
center. All centers shall be up to 1.1/2 square miles of land. Each center shall be zoned to
accommodate:
a.
b.
c.
A minimum of 15.000 jobs within 112 mile of a transit center;
At a minimum, an average of 50 employees per grcsS acre; and
At a minimum, an average 15 households per gross acre.
LU-30 Jurisdictions which contain urban centers. in conjunction wi¡h METRO, shall identify transit
station areas and right-of-way in ¡heir comprehensive plan. Station areas shall be sited so
¡hat all ponions of ¡he Urban Can¡er are ",¡¡hin walking dis¡ance (one half mile) of a sta¡ion.
LU-31 In order to reserve right-of-way and poten¡ial station areas for high-capacity transit or
transit hubs in the Urban Centers, juriSdictions shall:
a.
b.
c,
LU-32
Upon adoption of specific high-capaCity transit alignments by METRO. adoPt
policies to avoid development which would resHict establishment of the
high-capaci¡y transit system;
Preserve right-of-ways controlled by ¡he jurisdic¡io:1 which are identified for
potential transit use; and
Provide METRO an option to acquire property owned by the jurisdiction.
To encourage transit use, jurisdictions shall establish mechanisms to charge for
single-occupancy vehicle parking and/or a limit on the number of off-street parking spaces
for each Urban Center, and establish minimum and maximum parking requirements that
limit the use of the single,occupant vehicle and develop coordinated plans that incorporate
Commuter Trip Reduction guidelines, All plans for Urban Centers shall encourage bicycle
travel and pedestrian activity.
LU-33 Jurisdictions' comprehensive plans for Urban Centers shall demonstrate compliance with
the Urban Cen,ers cri,eria. In order 10 promote urban gro"/th wilhin centers, the Urban
Center plan shall eslabl'sh strategies which:
a,
b.
GMA:pol
Suppon pedes:r'an mobilily, bicycle uSe and transit use;
Achieve a :arget housing density and mix of use;
Page 21
06/1 0/1992
c.
Provide a wide range of capital improvement projects, such as street improvements,
Schools. parks and open space, public art and community facilities;
Emphasize superior urban design;
Emphasize historic preservation and adaptive reuse of historic places;
Include other local characteristics necessary to achieve a vital urban center; and
Include facilities to meet human service needs.
d,
e.
f.
g.
LU.34 The system of urban centers shall form the land use foundation for a regional high capacity
transit system. Urban centers should receive very high priority for the location of high-
capacity transit stations andlor transit centers. ISee also LU'471
3. Incentives for Urban Centers
In order to help create Urban Centers, incentives to jurisdictions to establish Urban Centers, and to
the community to build in Urban Centers, should be established. The provision of high-capacity
transit (HCT) is one such incen/ive. Or!;Ers include fundi~g, and s;fEém¡¡ned pErmi;ring.
LU-35 Countywide financing StrategiES shall be developed by the Gr~,PC by July 1, 1993 which;
LU-36
a.
b.
Identify regional funding sources; and
Set priorities and allocate funds for urban facilities and services including social and
human services, and subarea planning efforts, in Urban Centers.
Each jurisdiction electing to contain an Urban Center under Policy LU-28 shall prepare a
Programmatic Environmemallmpact Statement IPEIS) for each proposed center, The PElS
shall be prepared in a comprehensive manner and shall address probable significant adverse
environmental impacts from and reasonable alternatives to ,he proposal. These may
include, but are not necessarily limited to subjects of area.wide COncern such as cumulative
impacts, housing, schools, public utilities, and transportation. Subsequent project.specific
proposals shall not be required to perform duplicative environmental review of issues which
have been adequately reviewed in the PElS, but shall provide additional environmental
review of other issues. These may include, but are not necessörily limited to the direct
impacts of the specific proposal, substantial changes in the na1Ure of the proposal or
information regarding impacts which indicate probable significant adverse environmental
impacts which were not adequately analyzed in the PElS. Examples of project'specific
direct impacts include local traffic impacts, site aesthe,ics, ë;,d other issues not addressed
by the PElS.
LU-37 In support of centers. additional local action should include:
a.
b.
Strategies for land assembly within the center. if applicable;
Infrastructure and service financing strategies and economic development strategies
for the centers; .
Establishing expected permit processing flow commitments consistent with the
PElS; and
Establishing a streamlined and simplified administrative appeal process with fixed
and certain timelines,
c.
d.
LU.38 Jurisdictions should consider additional incentives for development wi,hin Urban Centers
such as:
GMA:pol
a.
Sening goals for maximum permit review time and give priority to permits in Urban
Centers;
Page 22
06/1 011992
b.
c.
d.
e.
Policies to reduce or eliminate impact fees;
Simplifying and Streamlining of the administrative appeal processes;
Eliminating project. specific requirements for parking and open space by providing
those facilities for the Urban Center as a whole; and
Establishing a bonus zoning program for the provision of urban amenities.
4. Manufacturing/Industrial Center Designation Process
lU-39 The lOcation and number of regional Manufacturingflndustrial Centers in King County will be
determined through the joint local and countywide adoption process, based on the follo,....ing
steps:
a.
b.
c.
Countywide Planning Polices include specific criteria for Manufacturing/Industrial
Centers;
By October 1. 1992, local jurisdictions shall dete'mi~e if they will contain a
Manufacturing/Industrial Cec,terls). Jurisdictions ¡hat eject to contain a Manufactur-
ing/Industrial Centèr shall specify how the Center will meet the intent of the
Countywide Policies, including plans to adopt criteria, incentives. and other commit-
ment to implement Manufacturingllndustrial Centers;
By December 1, 1992, the Growth Management Planning Council shall review and
confirm the Manufacturing/Industrial Centers that are elected by local jurisdictions'
(consistent with Policy FVv-1), or make adjustments based on:
1.
The Center's location in the region. especially relative to existing and
proposed transponation facilities and its potential for promoting a
countywide system 'of Manufacturingllnèustrial Centers;
The total number of centers in the county that are needed in the county
over the next twenty-years I¡ased on twec,¡y years projected need for
manufacturing land to satisfy regional projections of demand for
manufacturing land;
The type and level of commitments that each Jurisdiction has identified for
achieving Manufacturing/Industrial Center goals;
Review of other jurisdictional plans to ensure that growth focused to
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers is assured; and
The accessibility of t;-,e Center to existing cr planned uansponation
facilities.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5. Manufacturing/ln'dustrial Center Criteria
lU.40 Each Jurisdiction which contains a regional Manufacturing/Industrial Cer,ter shall adoPt in its
comprehensive plan a definition of the Center which specifies the exact geographic
boundaries of the Center. Each Center shall be zoned to:
a.
b.
c.
Preserve and encourage the eggregation of land parcels sized for manufactur-
ingrmdusuial uses;
Discourage land uses other than manufacturing and industrial: and
Accommodate a minimum of 10,000 jobs.
lU.41 All Jurisdictions suppon the development of a regional industrial siting policy 10 link the
countywide manufacturing,"ndustrial cenlers into the regional network of Industrial activity.
GMA:pol
Page 23
06/1 0/1992
LU.42
Jurisdictions shall design access to the regional Manufacturing/Industrial Centers to
facilitate the mobility of employees by transit. and the mobility of goods by truck, rail or
waterway as appropriate. Regional comprehensive plans shall include strategies to provide
capital improvement projects which support access for movement of goods.
LU-43 Jurisdictions which contain regional Manufacturing/Industrial Centers in conjunction with
METRO. shall identify transit station areas and right-of-way in each jurisdiction's
comprehensive plan. Transit feeder systems, bicycle routes and pedestrian systems shall
be established to link the Center to the transit station area(s),
LU.44 In order to reserve right-of-way and potential station areas for high-capacity transit or
transit hubs in the regional Manufacturing/Industrial Centers, jurisdictions shall:
LU-45
a.
Upon adoption of specific high-capacity transit alignments by METRO, adopt
policies to avoid development which would restrict establishment of the
!-,igh.capacity transit system;
Preserve right-of,ways controlled by the jurisdiction which are identified for
potential transit use; and
Provide METRO an option to acquire property owned by the jurisdiction,
b.
c.
To encourage transit use, jurisdictions shall establish mechanisms to charge for
single-occupancy vehicle parking or a limit on the number of parking spaces for
single-occupancy vehicles within each regional Manufacturing/lndustriôl Center. All plôns
for regional Manufacturing/Industrial Cen\ers shall encourage bicycle travel ônd pedestriôn
circulô\ion.
LU-46 Jurisdictions' comprehensive plôns for regional Manufacturing,'lndustriôl Centers shall
demonstrôte compliance with the cri\eria. In order to promo\e manufacturing/industrial
groWth, the Manufacturing/Industrial Cer,\er plôn for each jurisdic\ion shall es\ablish
strategies: .
LU-47
a.
To provide capital improvemer,t projec\S which support \he movement of goods and
manufacturinglindustrial opera\ions;
To provide buffers around the Cemer \0 reduce conflic\s with adjacent land uses;
To facilita\e land assembly; ônd
To attract the type of businesses thôt will ensure ecor,omic grow\h ônd s\ability.
b,
c,
d.
Each Manufacturing Center containing a minimum of 15.000 jobs and having sufficient
employment densities \0 support HCT should be served by HCT. Manufacturing/lndusHial
Centers which are located on the regional high capacity trônsit alignment and which meet
the transit-friendly cri\eria in policies LU-42 through LU-46 above shall receive one or more
high capacity transit s\a\ions andior transit centers.
6. Incentives for Manufacturing/lndustrial Centers
LU.48 Countywide financing strategies shall be developed by the G MPC by July 1. 1993 which:
GMA:pol
a.
b.
Identify regional funding sources; and
Set priorities and allocate funds for urban facilities and services including social and
human services in regional Manufacturing/Industrial Centers, and subarea planning
efforts in Manufacturing/Industrial Centers,
Page 24
06/1 0/1 992
LU-49 JuriSdictions shall consider conductinQ detailed SEPA review for the regional
Manufacturing/lndustrial Center at the planning stage so that project.specific environmental
review is minimized.
LU.50 To reduce or prèvent conflicts, jurisdictions shall develop policies to establish and support
normal manufacturinQ(¡ndustrial practices such as notices on development permits for
properties adjacent to a manufacturinQ(¡ndustrial center.
E.
Urban Growth Outside of Centers
A veriety of land uses and concentrations of [;Iowth occur within rhe Urban Growth A,ea end
au/side of the Urban Cenra,s and Manufactf.Jrin{ì/lnduslrial Centéfs. Local land use plans will be
responsible for the desi{ìr;ation, character, and utilization of urban areas outside of centers.
However, Countywide Policies are presented below to p,ovide (;uidance for these erees to ensure
thet they support .he Centers (;rowth concept. These policies 110 not apply to the rural cities
whose lar;d use piittem is described by policies LU 26 iind LU 27.
,. Urban Residential Areas
Urban residential areas form the bulk of the Urban GrOwth Area, and are home to alar(;e portion of
the county's population. They will contain a mix of uses and will have different characteristics in
different nei(;hborhoods. Generally, the character, form, preservetion and development of these
èfeas is a local juriSdictional responsibility. However, the resideMial areas need to support the
Centers concept and provide sufficient opportunity for (;rowth within the UGA. A substantial
majority of new residential units will be constructed within urban residential areas.
LU-S1 In order to ensure efficient use of the land within the Urban Growth Area. provide for
housing opportunities, and to suPPOrt efficient use of infrastructure, each jurisdiction shall:
a.
Establish in its comprehensive plan a target minimum number of net r,ew dwelling
units the jurisdiction will accommodate in the nex< 20 years and adopt regulations
to achieve the target number;
Establish a minimum density (not including critical areas) for new construction in
each resider,tial zone; and
Establish in the comprehensive plan a target mix of housing types for new
development and adopt regulations to achieve the target mix.
b.
c.
LU-52 The targets and regulations in LU.S1 shall be based on the following steps:
a.
By October I, 1992 the GMPC shall adoPt a target number of net new dwelling
units to be accommodated countywide;
By October I, 1992 the interjurisdictional staff comminee shall report to the GMPC
recommended ranges for net new dwellinQ units for each unincorporated urban and
rural community. and each city based on the foliowinQ criteria:
b,
1.
2,
3.
4.
The capacity and condition of existing and forecast infrastructure,
Proximity to major employment centers,
Access to existing and projected regional transit.
Capacity of undeveloPEd land and potential for redevelopment given the
character of existing dE"eiopmer,¡,
The need for a range of housinQ types.
5.
GMA:pol
Page 25
06/1 0/1 992
c.
d.
e.
6.
Each jurisdiction's share of affordable housinc as required by Affordable
Housinc policies,
Consistency with the countywide numbers;
7.
The tarcets in each jurisdiction's comprehensive plan shall fall within the ranges, or
shall state the reasons for deviating from the range;
Through the process established under FW-1 Step ~b. if the jurisdiction's
comprehensive plan differs from the tarcet, the Grl'¡"C may recommend
amendments to either the Countywide Planning Policies or local plans; and
The inlerjurisdictional staff comminee shall recommend a process to monitor the
implementation of this policy, The process should include members of the public.
2. Urban Employment Growth
A portion of the urban employment growth will occur in activity areas a"d neighborhoods in the
urban area. This employment g,rowth will support the Urban Centers. while balancing local
employment opportunities in the urban area.
LU.53 Targets for employment grow1h outside Urban Centers shall be established for cities and for
unincorporated urban communities through the joint local and countywide adoPtion process
based on the following steps:
a.
b.
By December 1992 the GroWth Management Planning Council shall adoPt 20 year
target numbers for employment growth and employment capacity inside urban
centers and outside urban centers. By October 1992 the interjurisdictional staff
committee shall develop preliminary recommendations for ranges of employment
grow1h and capacity inside and outside urban areas in each city, in unincorporated
urban communities and io rural areas based on the following criteria:
1.
2.
Consistency with the countywide numbers;
The need to direct growth to urban centers based on consistency with the
multiple centers stra1egy;
Access to regional rapid transit and existing highway and arterial capacity;
Availabilities of undeveloped land and potential for redevelopment given the
character of existing development;
The willingness of local jurisdictions to implement policies which encourage
transit such as S,O,V. parkinc charges' and/or limits, transit, bicycle and
pedestrian supportive design, and the adoPtion of policies that encourage
clustering of commercial and residential areas;
3.
4.
5.
As part of their comprehensive plans, all jurisdictions shall indicate planned
employment capacity and targeted increases in employment for 20 years inside and
outside urban centers and shall show how their plans reflect the criteria in this
policy; and
Through the process established under FW.1 Step 4b, if the jurisdiction's
comprehensive plan differs from the target, the GMPC may recommend
amendments to either the Countywide Planninc Policies or looal plans.
3. Infill Development
c.
Urban growth occurs both in "new" neighborhoods and in existing nei¡;hborhoods, Existing nei[ìh-
borhoods have a history of development pat/ems which have creaTed 8 sense of identity. At the
Page 26
06/10/1992
GMA:pol
same time a vital neighborhood adapts to chan¡;e and develops its O,'m ima;e. New development in
these neighborhoods should build on the existing patterns in 8 man,c:r which ,.spects and emiches
the neir;hborhood. For example in single family nei¡;hborhoods selective permirring of accessory
units and carriage houses may be more COmpatible than new apart"'enr buildings.
LU.54 All juriSdictions shall develop neighborhood planning and design processes t~ encourage
infill development and enhance the existing community character and mix of uses.
4. Activity Areas
Activity Areas are locations that Contain a moderate concentration of commercial land uses and
some adjacent hi¡;her density residential ueas. Activity Areas are distinguishable from community
or neir;hborhood commercial areas by their larger size and their func;ion as a sl~nificant focal point
for the local community. Activity Areas contain a broad spectrum of locations with varied
functions, geographic sizes, and land uses.
..:.ctivity Areas are desi,nated in comprehensil'e plans. Examples of )'c;ivity Areas mi¡;ht include
the central business districts of Kirkland, Burien, and Des Moines; East Hill in Kent; and a number
of business districts in Seattle, such as Lake City, Wallingford, and ',','est Seattle.
LU.55 Jurisdictions shall designate the boundaries, maximum densities. and uses within all activity
areas to provide for local employment, commercial activities and public facilities.
LU'S6 All Activity Areas should receive frequent peak h~ur transit service. Activity Areas may
contain a high-capacity transit station Or transit hub if the activity area:
a.
b.
Is on an HCT corridor, Or can serve as a transit hub:
Has pedestrian. bicycle, and transit-suppof1ive site planning. building design and
road design regulations; .arld
Has parking regulations to encourage transit use.
c.
LU.S7
To encourage transit use, jurisdictions shall establish minir;;uC1 and r;;aximum parking
requirements that reduce dependence on the single,occupar.t vehicle. Jurisdictions should
establish mechanisms to charge for single-occupancy vehicle ~arking and/or a limit on the
number of off.street parking spaces for each activity center, All plans for Activity Areas
sr,all encourage bicycia travel and pedestrian activity.
5. Business/Office Parks
Business/Office Parks are areas where low-density office development is collected et locations
separated from an identified retail commercial core. These parks tend to have low densities and
thus tend not to be supportive of transit or pedestrian circulation. hese employment opportunities
,enerally do not requlie extensive land for their operations, and couid be accommodated in Urban
Centers. Because the further development of these areas may com;.:e with the employment
r;,owth thot is planned to support Urben Cente,s, sir;nificant future e:"';ioyment will not be
encoura¡;ed in these areas.
LU.5B Office building development is directed primarily to Urban Ce,-,ters. Office building
development outside Urban Centers should occur within activ':" areas and promote transit,
pedestrian and bicycle uses,
LU-59 Jurisdictions shall not expand existing land area zoned for busir.ess,'otfice parks,
GMA:pol
Page 27
06/1 011 992
LU-60
All jurisdictions shall establish mechanisms to encourage transit use. Examples of potential
mechanisms include a charge for S,O_V. parking and/or a limit on the number of parking
spaces for single occupancy vehicles within each existing business/office park. Bicycle and
pedestrian supportive design should be encouraged.
LU.61 To implement policy LU-53, all jurisdictions shall establish maximum Floor Area Ratios
and/or maximum employment levels for office use in existing business/office parks. These
maximums are intended to channel future employment and office space groWth from
business/office parks outside of Urban Centers to Urban Centers.
LU-62 All jurisdictions should develop planning mechanisms to assist in the conversion of
business/office parks to mixed use areas. Jurisdictions should encourage inclusion of
residential and neighborhood commercial land uses and open space within existing
business/office parks.
GMA:pol
Page 28
06/10/1992
III.
Transportation
A.
Transportation Overview
RCV'; 35. 70A.O7015J IGrDwth Mana¡;ement ActJ fundamentally chan¡;es the way that
cDmprehenslve plannln¡;; wi'll be dDne within the Stale Df Washin;;tDn. The Act places special
emphasis Dn transPDrtallDn makln¡;; It unlawful tD apprDve development fDr which the apprDvlng
jurlsdlctlDn cannDt demDnstrale the avallabi'llty Df facilities, strale¡;les and services which are
needed tD accDmmDdate the grDwth In traffic at the adDpted level-Df.servlce within six years.
Future develDpment activity wi'll be cDnstralned by a jurisdlctlDn 's ab,ïity tD finance and provide
transpDrtatlon imprDvements Dr stråte¡;;ies. This fact has some very si(Jnlflcant impllcatiDns fDr all
jurisdictions which are dependent upDn the re(JiDn's transpDrtation systems because:
1.
PrDjeCied traffic (Jrowth Dn the freeway and arterial system wl;hin the reglDn ¡;reatly
exceeds the fDreseeable cDllectlve ab,ïlty tD finance and CMstruct the ImprDvements
needed tD retain hlstDricallevels-Df-service.
2.
Maintaining the current level Df persDnaJ mDbillty by single Dccupant vehicles W¡'l/ be
a CDstly public investment that will ne¡;aÛvely impact the re(JiDnal quality Df life,
create severe impacts tD sensitive areas, de¡;rade envlrMmentaJ quality, and
increase energy use and the cDnsumptiM Df land.
3.
DevelDpment within any Me juriSdictiDn can be severely impacted by decisions and
actiDns beyond that jurisdictiDn 's cDnlrol:
0
WSDOT may be unable tD p'rD¡;ram imprDveme"ts concurrent with a
jurisdictiDn's apprDval Df a develDpment permit.
D
MetrD may not be able to respDnd tD transit levels-Df'service adDpted by
IDcal jurisdlctlDns.
D
A jurisdictiDn may adD!)t level'Df-service s;anc'ards fDr arlerials within its
jurisdictiDn and decline tD aCCept Improvements necessary to mitigate
transportatiDn Impacts frDm a propDsed develDpment In an adjDlnln(J
juriSdictiDn,
0
Cumulative (irowth thrDughout the re¡;iDn ".'IJ/ cause ;raffic grDw;h on the
existing netwDrk and may thereby exhaust the capacity fDr local juriSdictions
ID apprDve development.
In light of these financial cDnstraints and PDtenrial dangers, It WI'l/ be necessary 10 undertake a
dramatically different apprDach for bDth transpDrtatiDn planning and land uSe plõl1ning. than has
been done in the past. This is necessary If the re¡;ion Is to avDid haphazard denials of develDpment
permits fDllDwlng the July 1994 deadline fDr implementing Drdlnances. In Drder ID limit sprawl,
creale the desired urban fDr,;." and provide SDme measu,e of prec'iclabl/ity for lanc'owners and
develDpers, the re(ilon's scarce reSDUrces fDr transportatiDn capacity improvemems must be used
pruc'enrly to focus Dn areas where zoning and densities SUPPD,t a multi-mDdal trar.sporration
syslem. System capacity Investments ShDUld be targeted first 10 thDSe areas where the existin(J
land use and transpDrtatiDn system prDvic'es SDme hDpe Df achievir-'[J ;he desired multl-mDdal
level-Df-service within six years.
GMA:pol
Page 29
06/1 011 992
B.
Transportation Policies
FW-'4 The land use pal1ern shall be supponed by a balanced transponation system which
provides for a variety of mobility options, This system shall be cooperatively planned.
financed. and constructed, Mobility options shall include a High Capacity Transit system
which links the urban cenlers and is supponed by an extensive High Occupancy Vehicle
system. local community transit system for circulation within the centers and to the
non-center urban areas. and non-motorized travel options.
FW-'5 All jurisdictions in the county. in cooperation with Metro, the Metropolitan Planning
Organization, and the State. shall develop a balanced transponation system and
coordinated financing strategies and land use plan which implement regional mobility and
reinforce the countywide vision. Vision 2020 Regional GroWth Strategies shall be
recognized as the framework for creating a regional system of Centers linked by High
Capacity Transit and an interconnected system of freeway High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)
lanes. and supponed by a transit system.
F\'ý-'6 In recognition of the fact that King County is the regional freight distribution hub and a
major international trade gateway. and that freight transponation is one of the state's most
imponant basic sector economic activities. goods mobility by all modes shall be included as
a component of comprehensive plans.
T.'
T.2
T-3
T-4
GMA:pol
The countywide transponation system shall promote the mobility of people and goods and
shall be a multi-modal system based on regional priorities consistent with adopted land use
plans. The transponation system shall include the following:
a.
b.
c.
d
An aggressive transit system, including High Capacity Transit;
High Occupancy Vehicle facili1ies;
Freight ra'ilroad networks;
Marine transponation facilities and navigable waterways;
Airports;
Transponation Demand Management actions;
Non-motorized facilities; and
Freeways, highways. and arterials.
e.
f.
g.
h.
King County, its cities, adjacent counties, Metro. and the Viashington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOTI shall support the continuous, comprehensive and cooperative
transportation planning process conducted by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)
pursuant to its Meuopolitan Planning Organization (MPO) designation. The primary forum
for the development of regional transportation systems plans and strategies shall be the
PSRC, as the MPO.
The annual update and approval of the six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
by the PSRC should be the primary tool for prioritizing regional transportation improvements
and programming regional transportation revenues.
The GMPC or its successor shall have the ongoing responsibility for the following:
a,
Developing and maintaining coordinated level-of-service standards and a
concurrency system for countywide transit routes and arterial streets. including
state facilities;
Page 30
06'10,,992
T-6
b-
Developine reeionally consistent policies for implecnentino COuntywide
Transportation Demand Management actions and :he Commute Trip Reduction Act
including. but not limited to. parking POlicies. with an examination of price as a
determinant of demand; and
Developine and reCOmmeMine transportation financine strategies. inCluding
recommendations for Prioritizing capacity improvements eligible to receive federal
funds available to the region under the Inter'mOdal Surface TranSPOrtation Efficiency'
Act IISTEA).
c.
1. High Capacity Transit/Regional Transit Project (HCT/ATP)
T.5
Each Urban Center will be providing for a minimum of 15,000 jobs and should be served by
High Capacity Transit IHCT). Each Manufacturine Center containing a minimum of 15,000
jobs and havine sufficient employment densities to suPPOrt HCT should be served by HCT.
All juriSdictions that would be served by HCT shall plan for needed HCT rights-of-way.
stations and station Supportive tranSPOrtation facilities and land uses in their comprehensive
plans. The land use and tranSportation elements of compcehensive plans shall incorporate a
component to reflect future improvement needs for High Capacity Transit. Interim regional
transit service should be provided to centers until the center is served by HCT. If voters do
not approve HCT local oPtion taxes, juriSdiCtions shall address this implication in the
reassessment phase.
WSDOT should assign a high priority to completion of the core Hay lanes in the central
PUllet Sound re¡¡ion. Kine County, its cities. and Metro Council repreSentatives on the
TranSPOrtstion Policy and Executive Boards of the PUllet Sound Re¡¡ional Council (PSRC)
shall make completion of this system a high priority in pro¡¡ramming the federal funds
available to the region.
T-7
2. Non-motorized Transportation
The transportation element of Comprehensive Plans shall include pedestrian and bicycle
travel as part of the transportation system and be developed on a coordinated, regional
basis. The bicycle and pedestrian element shall be a part of the funding Component of the
capital improvement program.
3. Freeways/Highways/Arterials
T.B
GMA:pol
In order to maintain regional mobility, a balanced multi-mOdal transportation system shall be
planned that includes freeway, hi¡¡hway and arterial improvecnents by making existing roads
more efficient. These improvements should help alleviate existing traffic congestion
problems. enhance Hay and transit operations, and provide access to new desired groWth
sreas, as identified in adopted land use plans. General capacity improvements promoting
only Single Occupant Vehicle traffic shall be a lower priority. TransPortation plans should
consider the fOllowing mObility Optionsineeds:
a.
b.
Arterial Hav treatments,
Driveway access management for principal arterials "..,¡hin the Urban GrOWth Area;
and
Impro\ecnents needed for access to manufacturing and industrial centers, marine
and air terminals.
c.
Page 31
06/1 0/1992
F'W.17 Infrastructure planning and financing shall be coordinated among jurisdictions to direct and
prioritize countywide facility improvements to implement the countywide vision and land
use plans.
F'W-18 Where appropriate, King County and its cities shall adopt a clear definition of level.of.
service and concurrency requirements and establish a consistent process for implementing
concurrency, including accountability for impacts for adjacent jurisdictions.
F'W.1 9 Each jurisdiction shall identify the facilities needed to ensure that services are provided
consistent with the community's adopted service levels. Timelines for the construction of
the needed facilities shall be identified.
4. Transportation Level-of-Service (LOS)
T-9
T-10
T-11
T-12
T-13
T.14
Level-of-service standards shall be used as a 'tool" to evaluate concurrency for long-range
transportation planning, development review and programmin~ of transportation
investments.
Each local jurisdiction shall establish mode-split goals for non.SOV travel to all significant
employment centers to reflect that center's contribution to the solution of the region's
transportation pr,oblem. Mode'split goals will vary according to development densities.
access to transit service and other alternative travel modes and levels of congestion.
Comprehensive plans shall demonstrate what transportation system improvements, demand
management and land use strategies will be implemented to achieve these mode. split goals.
These local goals shall be coordinated to achieve county and regional goals.
Elements to be considered in the level-of. service standard are mobility options that
encourage the use of transit, other high occupancy vehicles, demand management actions,
access to transit, and non.motorized modes of travel. These standards shall be consistent
with the requirements of the Commute Trip Reduction Act.
Mode split goals and measures of mobility for transit, ridesharing and non-motorized travel
shall be established by local jurisdictions and METRO.
Level-of-service standards shall vary by differing levels of deveiopment patterns and groWth
management objectives. Lower arterial standards, tolerating more congestion. shall be
established for urban centers. Transit LOS standards.may focus on higher service levels in
and between centers and decrease as population and employment densities decrease.
Metro should develop transit level-of-service standards which provide the county and cities
with realistic service expectations to support adoPted land uses and desired groWth
management objectives. These standards should consider that route spacing and frequency
standards are necessary for differing service conditions including:
a.
b.
c.
Service between designated centers served by High Capacity Transit;
Service between designated centers not served by High Capacity Transit: and
Service to areas outside centers.
5. Reassessment
T-15
GMA:pol
Local governments shall work together to reassess regional land use and transportation
elements if transportation adequacy and concurrency cannot be met, Should funding fall
Pace 32
06/10/1992
T.16
T.17
T.18
T-19
short for transportation improvements or strategies needed to accommodate growth, the
following actions should be considered:
a.
Adjust land use and level'oFservice standards to bener achieve mobility and the
regional vision;
Make full use of all feasible local oPtion transportation revenues authorized but not
yet implemented; and
Work with WSDOT, Metro, and the private sector to seek additional state
transportation revenues and local Options to make system improvements necessary
to accommodate projected employment and population growth.
b.
c.
6. Financing
Transportation elements of Comprehensive Plans shall reflect the preservation and
c-.aintenance cf transportation facilities as a high priority to avoid costly replacements and
to meet public safety objectives in a cost-effective manner,
Developer impact fees shall be structured to ensure that new development contributes its
fair share of the resources needed to mitigate the impact On the transportation system.
Adjoining juriSdictions shall execute interlocal agreements for impact fees which recognize
that traffic generated in one jurisdiction contributes to the need to make transportation
improvements across jurisdictional boundaries. Impact fees shall not be assessed to cure
that portion of the improvement al1ributable to correcting existing deficiencies.
Existing local option transportation fur,ding shall be applied within King County as follows:
a.
b.
Employee tax base -- reserved for city street utility development;
Commercial parking tax -- defer action. pending development of a regional TDM
strategy;
HOV acceleration financing.. defer until aher High Capacity Transit vote; and
Local option gas tax -- consider as potential source to address transportation
'concurrency' needs of county and cities only after vote on High Capacity Transit.
c.
d.
Regional revenues (such as Inter-modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act funds) which
provide discretion should be used to address regional mobility projects and strategies,
including such strategies as creating centers or enhancing transit/HOV.SOV mode split.
7. State Transportation Role
T.20
T.21
T.n
GMA:pol
Consistent with the countywide vision, local governments shall coordinate with the State
On land use and transportation systems and strategies which affect state facilities and
programs.
State capital improvement decisions and policy actions shall be consistent with regional and
countywide goals and plans. The State shall ensure its transportation capital improvement
decisions and programs Suppol1the adopted land use plans and transpol1ation actions.
The State and local governments shall use the same capital programming and budgeting
time frame that all local governments and the county use, a minimum of six years, for
making capital decisions and for concurrency management.
Page 33
06/1 0/1992
8. Siting Regional and Countywide Transportation Facilities
T-23
Kintl County, the cities, the Putlet Sound Retlional Council. the State, Metro. and other
transportation providers shall identify sitlnificant recional andlor countywide land acquisition
needs for transportation and establish a process for prioritizinc and sitinc the location of
transportation facilities.
GMA:pol
Pace 34
0611 011992
IV.
Community Character and Open Space
A measure of the success of planning for growth is the extent to which we restore, main/ain and
create good places to live, work and play. We must encoura¡;e growth which improves Our
nei:;hborhoods and landscapes, and builds a strong sense of place. The fOllowing policies On
Cultural resources, civic architecture and landmarks, multi-use roadways, inflYI developmen/, and
incentives for urban and rural design, aim to promote good community character,
FW-20 All juriSdictions shall support the county's existing diversity of places to live, work and
recreate and the ethnic diversity of our communities. The countywide development panern
shall include sufficient SUpply of Quality places for housing, employment, education,
recreation. and open space and the provision of Community and social services.
FW-2' Each urban area shall be characterized by superior urban design as locally defined.
FW.22 Significant historic, archaeological, Cultural. architectural and environmental features shall
be respected and preserved,
A.
Historic Resources
Historic resources creete a sense of local iden/ity and history, enhance the quality of life, support
community vitality, and otherwise enrich Our lives. Historic resources are non-renewable: they
embody the unique heritage and evOlution of particular places. Thou:;htful management of these
resources Con/ributes to economic developmen/ and moderates some of the harmful effects of
rapid :;rowth. Planning for historic resources includes protectin:; e:chaeological sites end historic
buiYdinçs ønd løndscøpes, encouraging expression of diverse ethnic end folk traditions, end
supporting activities for children and youth.
cc-,
All juriSdictions should work individually and Cooperatively to identify, evaluate. and protect
historic resources inCluding COntinued and consistent protection for historic resources and
public art works.
CC.2
All juriSdictions shall encourage land use panerns and implement regulations that protect
and enhance historic resources, and Sustain historic community character.
B.
Urban Design
Governments should be leeders in providing structures, public spaces, parks and streets which
support the quality of our region. Civic design should express the region's values and vision, and
should provide landmarks which contribute to Our sense of place. Additionally, individual
jurisdictions can nurture their individual charecter by developing a clear set of goals and policies
which Outline the public interest in the design of private development in the urban and rural
ccmmunities.
CC-3
All juriSdictions shall promote a high Quality of design and site planning in publicll'-funded
construction (such as civic buildings, parks. bridges, transit Stops), and in private
development.
GMA:pol
Page 35
06/10/1 992
C.
Human and Community Services
Human and community services are: social and health services; eme'!)ency shelters; meetin!)
places; performin!) arts and cultural activities; schools; libraries; parks and recreation; and fire and
police protection.
CC.4
Human and community service planning activities shall support Countywide Planning
Policies and the countywide land development panern.
CC-5
All jurisdictions shall identify essential community and human services and include them in
land use, capital improvement. and transportation plans.
D.
Open Space
Open space lands are essentiõl to the community cha,uter of Kin:; County. They provide visual
variety õnd relief from developed õreõs. protect environmental quality, and provide wildlife habitat
and foster opportunities for outdoor recreation. Open space corridors physically and functionally
link open space lands.
The challenge for jurisdictions is to establish pro;rams thôt contribute to the protection,
accessibHity and stewardship of open space lands and corridors. The GMA requires jurisdictions to
form linka;es between and wiihin population centers wiih lands useful for recreation, trails, wlïdfife
habitat and connection of critical areas. These open spõce lands õnd corridors Dr greenways
shDuld be selected and preserved tD fDrm õn intercDnnected system regiDnally and within
jurisdictiDns IDcally and should be stewarded tD ensure cDntinuing envirDnmental and ecD/Dgical
significance. Where apprDpriate, the regiMal system and its IDcal cDmpDnents shDuld prDvide fDr
multiple benefits and functions, which will require careful plannin!) and management tD ensure
cDmpatibility and IDng-term viability Df the benefits and functiDns.
Open space lands and cDrridDrs have si!)nificance at both the IDcal and regiDnal scale. IdentificatiDn
and protectiDn Df IDcal Dpen spaces will be cDnsidered within the cDmprehensive plans Df each
Jurisdiction. On an individual basis, jurisdictiDfiS shDuld strive tD identify, establish and protect
Dpen space lands of local si!)nificance that alsD compliment, adjoin Dr enhance the regiDnal system.
The regiDnal Dpen space system includes Dpen space lands and cDrridDrs that have impDrtence
beyond jurisdictiDnal boundaries and will reQui,e multi-jurisdictiDnal cDordinatiDn to identify, prDtect
and steward.
FW.23 All jurisdictions shall cooperatively idee,tify. establish. protect and steward urban and rural
open space corridors of re~ional si~nificance.
CC.6
A regional open space system shall be established to include lands which:
b.
Provide physical andlor visual buffers such as open spaces which help to separate
incompatible uses, distinguish the urban and rural areas. define urban groWth
boundaries. Dr establish the character of a neighborhood, community, city Dr region;
Provide active and passive outdoor recreational opportunities which are compatible
with the environmental and ecological values of the site; andlor
Contain natural areas. habi1at lan::s, na1ural draina¡;e features. and/or other
environmental. cultural, and scenic resources,
a.
c,
CC-7
All jurisdictions shall work cooperatively to identify and protect open space corridors of
regional significance. This process shall include:
GMA:pol
Page 36
06/10/1992
a,
Identification of regional open space lands and corridors which form a functionally
and physically connected system with environmental. ecological, recreational and
aesthetic significance and which is readily accessible to our urban populations;
Identification of implementation strategies and regulatory and non-regulatory tech-
niques to protect the .Iands and corridors. inCluding collaboration and coordination
with land trusts and other land preservation organizations; and
Development of management plans and strategies to sustain the corridors' open
Space benefits and functions of the preserved lands and corridors.
b.
c.
CC-B
Water bodies and rivers of the Puget Sound region form an impol1ant element of the open
space system. Jurisdictions shaJl work to protect visual access to water bodies and rivers,
and provide for physical access where appropriate.
CC.g
Countywide funding shall be available for the acquisition, maintenance and stewardship of
parks and open space. a) advancing the development of the regional open space system
which has been cooperatively identified by the jurisdictions. and b) ensuring the ready
access of our citizens residing in Urban Centers to the re.ional open space system.
CC.l0
The conceptual map of open Space systems contained in the 19BB King County Open
Space Plan shall be used as the planning basis for regional open space lands and corridors.
AJI jurisdictions will work cooperatively to revise and supplement this map to direct the
protection of these valuable resources throughout the county, '
CC-ll AJI jurisdictions shaJl work cooperatively to ensure parks and open spaces are provided as
development and redevelopment occur.
CC-12 AJI jurisdictions shaJl use the fuJl range of regulatory and land preservation tools available to
create, maintain and steward the regional open space system which has been cooperotively
identified.
CC-13 AJI juriSdictions shoJI develop coordinoted level of service standards for the provision of
.porks and open spaces.
GMA:pol
Page 37
06/1 0/1992
'.
v.
Affordable Housing
Adequate housing, for all economic segments of the population, is a basic need of King County's
residents and an issue of countywide concern. Affordable housing needs must be addressed by
local {¡overnments working in cooperation with the private sector and nonprofit housing agencies.
The GMA requires countywide policies to address parameters, for the distribution of affordable
housing, including housing for all income {¡roups. This complex issues requires adequate infor-
mation regarding cUlrent housing resources and housing needs, which is being developed for
comprehensive plan housing elements, as well as in-depth discussion of values and priorities for
housing development.
FW.24 All jurisdictions shall cooperatively establish a process to ensure an equitable and rational
distribution of low-income and affordable housing throughout the county in accordance
with land use policies. transportation, and employment locations. All jurisdictions shall
provide a diversity of housing types to meet a variety of needs and incomes.
AH-1
All jurisdictions shall share the responsibility for achieving a rational and equitable
distribution of affordable housing to meet the housing needs of low and moderate income
residents in King County. The distribution of housing affordable to low and
moderate.income households shall reflect the need for proximity to lower wage employment
and access to, transpOr1ation and human services; recognize each jurisdiction's past and
current effor1s to provide housing affordable to low and moderate-income households; avoid
over.concentration of assisted housing; and increase housing oppor1unities and choices for
low and moderate income households in communities throughout King County. Each juris-
diction shall give equal consideration to local and countywide housing needs.
The GMPC shall define and quantify affordable housing needs for low and moderate-income
households and countywide objectives for distribution of affordable housing for low and
moderate.income households. The process shall include involvement by housing industry
representatives, housing interest groups. and community organizations. The Affordable
Housing Technical Forum, which has represec,tatives from the County and each city, shall
prepare recommendations for the GMPC by August' c ' 992.
By October 1, , 992 each jurisdiction shall specify the ran¡¡e and amount of housing
affordable to low and moderate-income households to be accommodated in its
comprehensive plan, based on countywide objectives for distribution. By December 1,
, 992 the GMPC will review. and the county and cities will ratify. the countywide objectives
for distribution and each jurisdiction's proposed range and amount of affordable housing
units.
The process shall address:
a,
Development and preservation of subsidized housing and low-cost market rate
housing;
The definition of low-income and moderate-income housing;
Guidelines to meet affordable housing needs in individual jurisdictions as well as
need throughout King County, including recognition for jurisdictions that already
meet the guidelines;
b.
c,
GMA:pol
Page 38
06/10/1992
d.
Strategies. including land use incentives, Streamlined permining processes. and
funding commitments. to be adopted by all jurisdictions to provide affordable
housing; and
Guidelines to ensure that affordable housing is provided in conjunction with regional
transponation planning. including funding for acquisition and rehabilitation to pre-
serve existing affordable housing; funding and incentives for development of new
housing in infill and redevelopment projects; and. subject to a legal determination,
inclusionary requirements to ensure that a proponion of new residential '
development is affordable to law and moderate income households.
e.
Providin!) sufficient land for housin!) development is an essential srep in promoring affordable
housin!). Affordable housing can be encoura;;ed by zoning additional land for higher residential
densities, wMch helps provide needed capacity for (irowth, reduces land development cost per
units, and õllows for lower cost construction types such as attached dwellin!)s. Higher density
housing includes a range of housin!) types: smell-lot single family, attached single family, mobile
home parks, apartme¡;ts Md condominiums. In acç"¡:'on; zoning chan¡;es that permit additio¡;aI
housir;g in established areas, such as accesso,y units, ca,ria¡;e houses, and residences built above
commerciõl uses, increase affordable housi,.:; oppor¡¡¡nities.
AH-2
AH-3
, AH-4
AH-5
GMA:pol
Each jurisdiction shall show in its comprehensive plan how it will use policies, incentives,
regulations and programs to provide its share of housing affordable to low and
moderate-income households as determined by the process outlined in AH-1.
Each juriSdiction shall evaluate its existing resources of subsidized and low-cost
non-subsidized housing and identify housing that may be lost due to redevelopment. dete-
riorõting housing conditions. or public policies or actions. Eõch jurisdiction shall develop
strategies to preserve existing low. income housing where feasible and provide relocation
assistõnce to low income residents who may be displaced.
All jurisdictions shall monitor residential development within their jurisdiction and determine
annually the total number of new units constructed, housir,g types, developed denSities and
remaining capacity for residential graw1h. King County shall report annually on housing
development, the rate of housing COSt and price increases and available residential capacity
countywide.
\Vithin the urban growth area. each Jurisdiction shall maximize its ability to accommodate
sufficient, affordable housing by ret:1:ving regulatory barriers, teviewing codes for
redur,dancies a:1d inconsistencies and providing Opportunities for a full range of housing
types such as accessory dwelling units, manufactured ho."es on individual lots. apõnments.
townhouses and attached single family housing.
Page 39
06/10/1992
VI.
Contiguous and Orderly Development and
Provision of Urban Services to Such
Development
Chepter II, 'Land Use Pattern, . contains policies for phesin(¡ deveJcpment within the Urban Growth
Aree. An inte¡;ral component of the phesin(¡ process is ensurin(¡ ¡hët development is accompanied
bya full ren(¡e of urban services, Equally important is ensurin(¡ thet infrestructure improvements
are not provided in advance of development which could undermine the countywide development
partern. This chapter provides policies which support phasin(¡ within the Urban Growth Area and
ensure the inte(¡rity of the countywide land development pertern.
FW.25 Planning for and financing of services shall be coordinated among jurisdictions to direct and
prioritize countywide facility improvements to implement the countywide policies.
FW.26 Jurisdictions shall'identify the services needed to achieve adopted service levels. Timelines
for constructing needed services shall be identified.
FVv.27
Protection of public health and safety and the environmer;t shall be given high priority in
decision-making about infrastructure improvements. County residents in both urban and
rural areas shall have reasonable access to a high-quality drinking water source meeting all
federal and state drinking water requirements. Management and operation of existing
on.site septic systems shall not result in adverse impacts to public health or the
environment.
A.
General Policies
To ensure thet land use is eccompanied with the meximum possibie use of existin(¡ facilities and
cost.effective service provisions and extensions, and to encoure'(¡e development of strong,
interrelated communities, policies are needed which inte(¡rate a full ran¡;e of urban services with
Jand-use planning and er,..,ircnmental pretection, Urta,1 service dafinitiens should be guided by
'public services, . 'public fecilities, . and "urban (Jovernmental services" es defined in RCW 35, 70A
IGMAJ.
Community and human services policies ere included under Chapter IV, 'Community Cheracter and
Open Space," and transportation policies are included under Chapter III, "Transportation.' Several
countywide plannin(¡ efforts provide direction for achieving the integration of services, aquifer and
neturel resource protection, and land use planning. These include the Coo,dinated Water System
Plans, Seattle Regional Comprehensive Water Supply Plan, Ground.vater Mana(¡ement Plans, Basin
Plans, Chelan A¡;,eement Reilional Water ResoUlces Planning Process, Flood Hazard Reduction Plan,
Wastewater 2020 Plus, Human Services Strate¡;ies Report, and the King County Sewerage General
Plan. Furthermore, there are state mandates which affect the provision of services, For example,
water resource allocation must accommodate a// reasonable out-of-st'eam needs and maintain
sufficient flows for in-stream uses. The followin(¡ policies transcend Urban and Rural land use
designations and apply countywide.
GMA:pol
Page 40
06/1011992
CO-l
,. Urban Services Required as Growth Occurs
Jurisdictions shall identify the full range of urban services and how they plan to provide
them.
2. Conservation, Efficiency, Cost Effectiveness and New Technologies
CO.2 Jurisdictions and other urban service providers shall provice services and manage natural
. resources efficiently, through regional coordination, conjunctive use of resources, and
sharing of facilities. Interjurisdictional planning effor1s shall evaluate approaches to share
and conserve resources.
CO.3
CO.4
CO-5
CO-6
CO-7
CO.S
CO.9
B.
Service provision shall be coordinated to ensure the protection and preservation of
resources in both rural areas and in areas that are developing. while addressing service
needs within areas currently identified for grow1h,
All jurisdictions acknowledge the need to develop a regional surface water management
system which crosses jurisdictions boundaries and identifies and prioritizes prooram
elements and capital improvements necessary to accommodate groWth and protect the
natural and build environment. The GMPC shall develop and recommend a financino and
implementation strateoy to meet this need.
\Vater supply shall be regionally coordinated to provide a reliable economic source of water
a,.,d to provide mutual aid to and between all agencies and purveyors. The reoion should
work toward a mechanism to address the 10nO.tërm regior,al water demand needs of all
aoencies and water purveyors.
Aogressive conservation efforts shall be implemented to address the need for adequate
supply for electrical eneroy and water resourcës, protect natural resources, and achieve
improved air quality. Effor1s shall include, but not be limited to, public education, water
reuse and reclamation, landscapino which us as native õnd drought-resistant plants and
other strategies to reduce wõter consumption. small lot size, low-flow showerheads,
conservation credits, õnd eneroy efficiency incentives in new and existing buildinOS.
Water reuse and reclamation shõll be encouraged, especiaiIy for large commercial and
residential developments, and for high water users such as parks, schools. oolf courses.
and locks.
When plannino for the future demand on wastewater treõtment and conveyance,
alternatives to the expansion of the Metro centralized system such as decentralized
treatment and other treatment technologies, and wastewater reclamation and reuse shall be
identified and incorporated into plans as viable options,
The presence of tightline sewers or availability of sewer pipeline capacity and water supply
above what is required to meet local needs shall not be used to justify development Counter
to the countywide policies. and any such land use development proposal shall be denied by
the Përminino agency.
Urban Areas Identified for Growth for the Next Ten Years
The desi¡;na;ion of the Urban Growth Area establishes the service area for the county. The
derailed arran¡;ement and timin¡; of services and rhe installation of infrasrrucrure improvements is
GMA:pol
Paoe 41
06/10/1992
left to be determined th,ouQh shorter.term capital improvement plans. To support the densities and
land uses of u,ban Breas identified for immediate development, urban water and sewer systems Bre
essential to support Qrowth anticipated in the Urban Area over the next ten years. UrbBn water
systems are defined as a network of pipes which Bre desiQned to meet BII user needs and provide
fire protection. Urban sewer systems are defined as a system of pipes providing conveyance to a
sewaQe treatment facility.
,. Urban Water and Sewer Systems Required
CO-10
In the Urban Area identified for growth within the next ten years, urban water and sewer
systems are preferred for new construction on existing lots and shall be required for new
subdivisions. However, existing septic systems. private wells, andlor small water systems
may continue to serve the developments so long as densities and physical conditions are
appropriate, the systems are allowed by the relevant jurisdictions, and management keeps
the systems operating properly and safely.
c.
Urban Areas Designated for Growth Beyond 2002
In urban Breas desiQnated for growth beyond 2002, there will be a mix of existing services which
mayor may not be at urban service levels. The appropriate infrastructure improvements for sewer
and water systems will very according to existinQ site conditions. New developments should occur
contiQuous to existing, fully-developed areas so that extension of services occurs in an orderly and
cost-effective manner.
,. Phased and Cost Effective Extension of Urban Water and Sewer Systems
CO-11 To the extent practicable, all new plats shall be contiguous to the are~s identified for
growth for the next ten years. The phased expansion should respect basin boundaries or
other natural landscape features. '
CO-12
Preferred sewer and water systems in areas designated for grov.'th beyond 2002 are
community drainfields and water systems which are professionally managed. These
systems shall be designed, shed. and built to facilitote eve"t~al conversion to urban sewer
and water systems, Jurisdictions shall require all known and projected costs of
infrastructure improvement to urban service levels be funded ot the permining stage.
CO-13 Urban sewer system extensions in unincorporated King County shall be permined
consistent with the provisions of the King County Sewerage General Plan, countywide
policies, and the policies of the jurisdiction in whose potential annexation area the extension
is proposed.
D.
Rural Areas and Resource lands
Residents in rural areas and resou,ce lands need to have many of rhe same types of services as
urban areas. However, ¡he service standa,ds in rural areas and resoUlce lands B,e not at Urban
levels. Rural water systems B'e defined es individuel or community ,','ells or piped water systems
desiQned to meet all user needs but, in most ceses, not providing for fire protection.
GMA:pol
Page 42
06/10/1992
,. Limited Extension of Urban Water and Sewer Systems
CO-14
Sewer expansion shall not occur in rural areas and resource lands except where needed to
address specific health and safety problems threatening structures permined before July 1,
1992 or the needs of public facilities such as schools. Sewers may be extended only if
they are tightlined and only after a finding is made that no alternative technologies are
feasible. Mechanisms to reduce cost and limit the number of individual hookups shall be
explored and actions recommended to the GMPC.
CO-15 Urban water system extensions shall not be permined in rural areas and resource lands
except to solve immediate health or safety problems threatening existinc residents. If urban
water syStems are extended. the maximum number of hookups that is consistent with the
countywide land development panern shall be specified at the time of the extension.
CO-16 All rural water systems outside existinc service areas (planning areas) shall be professionally
managed by the applicable water purveyor according to the satellite management
procedures of the Coordinated Water System Plans, and designed to rural standards.
GMA:pol
Page 43
06/10/1992
VII.
Siting Public Capital Facilities of a
Countywide or Statewide Nature
Public capital facilities of a countywide or statewide natlJre generally have characteristics that
make these facilities extremely difficult to site. Such characteristics include the number of
jurisdictions affected or served by the faciÏity, the size of the facility, and the fac/'lity's potential
õdverse impacts, such as noise, odor, traffic, õnd pollution r;eneration. The faciÏities can be either
desirable or undesirable to jurisdictions. Some 'of the facilities are privately owned and regulated by
public entities. Fõcilities also can be owned by the state and used by residents from throur;hout
the state, such as universities and their branch campuses.
The county and the cities need to develop a process for siting public capital facilities with these
types of characteristics, includinl) but not limited ro, utility and transportation corridors, airports,
"astewater Ireatment plõnts, solid waste låndfills, higher educational facilities, correctional and
in-patient treatment facMies and energy-{lenerating facilities.
FVý.28
S-l
Public capital facilities of . countywide or statewide nature shall be sited to suppor1 the
countywide land use pat1em, suppor1 economic activities, mitiQate environmental impacts,
provide amenities or incentives, and minimize public costs. Amenities or incentives shall be
provided to neiQhborhoodsljurisdictions in which facilities are sited. Facilities must be
prioritized, coordinated. planned, and sited throuQh an interjurisdictional process established
by the GMPC.
The Growth Mana;;õment Planning Council shall establish a process by which all
jurisdictions shall cooperatively site public capital facilities of a countywide or statewide
nature. The procõss shall include:
GMA:pol
a,
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
A dõfinition of thõse facilities;
An inven\ory of existing and future facilities;
Economic and other incentives to jurisdictions receiving facilities;
A public i~volvement strategy;
Assurance that the environment and public heaith and safety are protected; and
A consideration of alternatives to the facility, including decentralization, demand
manageme"t, and other strategies.
Page 44
06/1011992
VIII.
Economic Development and Finance
Jurisdictions should cooperatively create an environment which sustains the economic vitality of
the region and which contributes to mana¡;eable economic ¡;rowth. Jurisdictions shall reco¡;nize
that King County is part of a larger re¡;ional economy, which is stron¡;ly linked by trade to the
national and international economies. Infrastructure investments should be focused into urban
centers end manufecturin¡;/industrial employment centers which are supported by transit.
Countywide policies shall be inte¡;rated with economic development.
FW.29
All jurisdictions shall contribute to the economic sustainability of the county in a manner
which supports the countywide land use panern. This is to be accomplished by providing
cost-efficient quality infrastructure and public services at an adopted level of service
specific to the local situation, providing affordable housing, promoting excellence in
education, and protecting the environment.
FW-30 All jurisdictions shall act to increase work training and job opportunities for all residents and
communities.
FW-J1 All jurisdictions shall support the development of a regional economic development strategy
consistent with the countywide land use panern.
A.
ED-1
ED-2
Economic Development Policies
By December 1, 1992. the GMPC shall adopt Economic Development policies which:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Establish the county's role in the regional economy;
Maintain a strong economic base within King Cour,ry;
Encourage diversification of the economy;
Maintain an adequate supply of land to support future economic development;
Identify geographic areas to target public resources promoting economic
development;
Foster job training OPpor1unities to maintain a highly educated work force;
Protect the natural environment as a key economic value in this region;
Consider the special needs of economically disadvantaged citizens and
neighborhoods; and
Include the assistance of private sector.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
By July 1, 1993 regional planning shall produce a regior,a! industrial siting policy based on a
regional assessment of the need for industrial zoned land and the availabiliry of
transportation and other infrastructure to serve it.
ED-3
Jurisdictions' comprehensive plans shall include economic development policies, These
policies shall address the local economic concerns of each jurisdiction within the context of
a regional economic development strategy.
GMA:pol
Page 45
06/1 0/1992
ED-4
ED-S
B.
Each jurisdiction's comprehensive plan shall include an economic development element
which will include an estimate of the type and number of jobs 10 be accommodated in the
juriSdiction during the next 20 years.
The County shall work with Snohomish and Pierce Counties to develop a joint 20.year
regional economic development strategy.
Finance
A fiscal analysis is required by the GMA. This section of policies is intended to bring to¡¡ether
references to financial matters found in earlier chapters (see Chapter II, "Rural Areas' and "Urban
and Manufacturing/Industrial Centers, . Sections Band Dland to provide direction for the fiscal
analysis of the anticipated results of implementing the Countywide planning policies.
FW.32
GMA:pol
To implement the Countywide Planning Policies, jurisdictions shall cooperatively identify
regional funding sources and establish regional financing strategies by July 1, 1993. Such
strategies shall consider the infrastructure and service needs of Urban Centers,
Manufacturingllndustrial Centers, Activity Areas, Business/Office Parks, other activity
concentrations, and rural areas. Such strategies shall also provide incentives to support the
Countywide Planning Policies and should:
a.
Make existing and newly identified funding Sources respond in the most flexible way
to meet countywide needs;
Ensure that a balance of services is available countywide to meet, among others,
human service, public safety, open space and recreation, education, and
transportation needs; and
Evaluate current revenue and service demands and the potential for more
effective coordination of service delivery.
b.
c.
Page 46
06/1 0/1992
Appendix I
TRANSPORTATION: Requirements of the Growth Management
Act
Countywide Policies (ReESHB 1025, Section 2)
Countywide planning policies must be adopted by July 1, 1992 to provide a framework from which
consistent county and city comprehensive plans will be developed. Policies for transportation must
address;
1.
Policies for promotion of contiguouS and orderly development and provision of urban
services to such development f32.2 13J IbJJ;
Policies for siting public capital facilities of a countywide or state-wide naturel32.2
13J IcIJ;
Policies for Countywide transportation faci'lities and strategies !32.2 13J IdIJ;
Policies for joint county and city planning within growth arees !32.2 131 IfIl;
An analysis of the fiscal impact. f32. 2 13J IhJJ.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Comprehensive Plans (RCW 36.70A.070)
The transportation element of comprehensive plans adopted by the county or cities will be
measured a¡;;ainstthe policies and standards approved and ratified as part of the countywide
framework plan. By Ju!y 1, 1993 the county and cities are required to adopt a comprehensive plan
with a mandatory transportation element that includes the following sub-elements:
1.
2.
Land use assumptions used in estimating treve! éemand;
Facility and service needs for attaining and sustaining level-of.service standards for
arterials and transit routes;
Six-year financing plan besed upon the needs of the comprehensive plan; reassess
lend use element if level-of-service standards cannot be met with funding resources;
this plan wJ'l! be updated and adopted annually;
Inrergovernmental coordination with adjacent juriSdictions;
Transportation Demand Management strategies.
3.
4.
5.
Within one year of adop.fÍng a comprehensive plan, the county and cities are required to meet:
2,
1.
AdeQuacy Requirements: Adopt an or_dinance which prohibits development approval
if the development causes the level-of-service to decline below the standard
adopted in the transportation element.
Concurrency Requirements: Deny development unless improvements or strate¡;;ies to
accommodate the impacts of development can be in place at the time of
development or a financial commitment is in place to complete the improvements or
strategies within six years,
Other Laws and Regulations
Federal law requires an on-going cooperative, continuous and compre~ensive transportation
plannin¡;; process as a condition of federal transportation grants. To comply witt, this requirement,
GMA:POI
Page 47
06/1 0/1992
the desi(¡neted Metropolitan Plannin(¡ Or(¡anization IMPO) is responSible for long.ran(¡e
transportation plannin(¡ and short.ran(¡e transportation improvement programmin(¡ ITIP).
The MPO plannin(¡ and pro(¡rammin(¡ responsibilities are stren(¡thened and enhanced under the
recent re.authorization of the Federal Surface Transportation Act. The Inter-modal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 IISTEA) eliminates several categorical funding programs and
creates a new flexible Surface Transportation P'o(¡ram ISTP) and a new Con(¡estion Miti(¡ation
Program. Funds available to the re(¡ion under these two hi(¡hway pro(¡rams may be used for
multi-modal solutions; and the MPO has project selection authority for these pro(¡rams, as well as
the federal transit program funds for the region. In addition, Washin(¡ton State Department of
Transportation's IWSDOn project selections under the Interstate Maintenance, Bridge, and
National Highway System INHS) pro (¡rams must be made in cooperation with the MPO and in
conformance with the re(¡ional Transportation Improvement Program ITlP).
The Federal Clean Air Act Amendment ICAAA) of 1990 requires substantial reduction of emissions
from the transportation sector. The Pu(¡et Sound Re(¡ional Council's transportation plans and
projects must conform to Transportation Control Measu,es contained in the State Implementation
Plan ISIP) prepared by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Ar;enc,. The current strategy for
meeting CAAA vehicle emissions requirements include:
0
0
expanded inspection and maintenance program, and
a regional implementation of the Commute Trip Reduction Law cited below.
The State Commute Trip Reduction Law of 1991 requires reductions in vehicle miles traveled.
Employers of 100 or more employees are directed to reduce work travel demand by 35 percent by
1999. Ordinances adopted by the county and cities must be cooréi.oated with transit agencies,
re(¡ional plannin(¡ or(¡anizations and major employers; and they must be consistent with commute
trip reduction plans of nei(¡hborin(¡ jurisdictions.
State law provides for the development of a Hi(¡h Capacity Transit IHCn system within the Puget
Sound Area. The law requires that transit a(¡encies IMetro, Pierce Transit, Snotran, Community
Transit and Everett Transit} jointly plan the implementation of such a system. For that purpose, the
Joint Re(¡ional Policy Committee was formed and charged with the responsibility of recommending
a system plan and financial program that would implement the HCT system. This plan is being
developed in support of the Vision 2020 Regional Growth Strate(¡ies; this vision calls for creation of
a re(¡ional system of central places linked by Hir;h Capacity Transit facilities, and an interconnected
system of freeway High Occupancy Vehicle IHOV) lanes.
The 1990 State Legislature passed various legislation granting local governments authority to
establish a number of taxing programs for funding transportation projects and programs. An
interim and informal group called the Local Options Strategy Development Steering Committee was
formed to recommend how these funding authorities should be exercised. This initial work was
completed in September of 1991 with a comprehensive recommendation as to how each funding
source should be assigned. As local jurisdictions take actions on these recommendations, it would
be useful to re-convene this Steering Committee or a similar group for coordinating transportation
funding decisions.
GMA:pol
Page 48
06/1 0/1992
\
1\77I\Clli",£1:7 t,
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11.0 Counlywldo rl"'N"~ Pollci",. Jurl,we,loN h"o oddlllo"ol C"LI1u In com pie" '" '" I" 10",1
(Omp"he",l.. pl.",.
rUDLTC REVI£W WlJ..L CO1'-"TTNUE AS ~IATERIALS ARE rRErAIl£D AND
RECO~I.1>I£ND^T ONS FRO~I JURJSDICTIONS ARE DEVELOrED,
~
1.
Seopl,,¡ of ,ddicionnJ ¡"'o'" ..quirln~ 5uppl""0,,tAl
0",1"","0,,\.01 ",i,w,
2.
U,b." G"wlh Doondo..,.
lnl"im ",ioIU by ti~", a"d Counly.
T..","",1 ",10'" or >Iud, ",us.
3.
Co"lon cnd C.podl1
.U,bo" cnd ~lonurotlurln¡fI"d","iol
Conlon nomi",cion & tonfonnolicn {LU.:8 & 391
D...ol\I,,¡ u"iu",ommod,lodldi,I,lhulod;
""plormonl t,,"lh di>lllbu"d (LU.52 & LU.53)
4.
AIT..d,blo lIo",i,,¡: n...d5 ."d dl'l,ibulÕon (All.!)
(i"dud", ""mn".."dulio'" ¡'om T..., Fo", of G~I"C
p,I,"o ,..10')
5.
Economic Do,tlopmonl Po!ltl'"
(¡ndod", '..on'mond"ior~ f,om T...k Fom or G~lrC
pll"lo ",,1°')
6.
Runl A"..
Rural th,,"'" (LU.9)
(inciod", ,,",ommond,iio'" ¡,om G~\rC T...k Fom)
Ci~", in run! .,-..... t"wlh .,-= (LU.2G)
jbc:mmt
"p...k:G2592
G~If'C C.;"'nl,'in,, D"o
Soplomb" 1992
0", month .flt<
rolir,..,¡lon
Otlobt< 1992
D...mbt< 1992
D...mbt< 1992
D""",h.. 1992
D",.mbtr 1992
D""",b.. 1992
J,no"1 1993
King County Growth Management Planning Council
Count:y"ide Planning Policies
Recommendation to the King County Council
June 3, 1992
Primed Jur,e i 0, 1992
Growth Management Planning Council
Chair
Cynthia Sullivan. King County Council
Members
Paul Barden, King Counry Council
fv',argot Blacker. Councilme,..-,ber. Bellevue
Bob Edwards, Counciimember, Renton
Audrey Gruger. Chair, King County Council
Tim Hill. King Counry Executive
Fred Jarren, Counci!member, Mercer Island
Bruce Laing, King County Council
Roger Loschen, Mayor, Lake Forest Park
Margaret Pa.eler, Council",e",ber. Sea¡-,Ie
Larry Phill~s. Kin;¡ Cccc,:y Council
Norm Rice. Meyor, Seanle
Bob Stead, Mayor. Federal Way
Jim Street, Councilmember, Seanle
Bob Wray, Council member, Des Moines
Ex.officio
Pet Davis, Port of Seenle
Alternate Members
Keith Blackburn. Mayor. Enumclaw
Brian Der.dowski. King County Council
Sue Doncldson, Councilrnember. Seanle
Sherry Harris. Councilmember. Secnle
Rosemarie Ives, Mayor. City of Redmond
Greg Nickels. King Counry Council
Shirley Thompson, Councilmember, SeaTac
Stan
Interjurisdictionalliaison Comminee of Planning, ?úblic Works and Fir,ance Staff
Table of Contents
King County Growth Management Act
Countywide Policies
~
King County 2012
A, The Problem
B. The Process
C. The Gro\,..,h Management Act
D, Vision for King County 2012
E. The Framework Policies
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
4
4
5
5
7
Critical Areas
9
Land Use Panern
A. Resource Lar,ds: Agricultural. Forestry and Mineral
3. Rural Areas
C. Urban Areas'
Urban GrO\'o,h Area Map
Urban and Manufacturing/Industrial Centers
Urban GroWth Outside of Centers
13
13
14
15
D.
E.
19
25
Transpor1ation'
29
Comer,unity ChEracter and Open SpEce
35
AffordEb!e Housing"
38
ContiguouS and Orderly Deve!opment"
40
Siting Public Capital Facilities of a Countywide or
Statewide Nature"
44
Economic Development and Fiscal Impact'
45
Appendix I Transpor1ation: Requirements of ¡he GrO',""'h Manage;;.e"t Act
47
'These elements are required by RCW 36.70A,210.
J}fyv ~ (( PC
Kl ~'l.1 ,L¡.)
u:- PoULlß /.~ lXL65 cr
pi ¿Ck 3,-, IcA 2. (0
ntilT
King County 2012
A.
The Problem
King County has long been known for unsurpassed natural beauty and a dynamic human
environment. It has thri,'ing cities and suburbs and healthy rural communities. The county's
anractive lifestyle and economy continue to draw people into our region.
But unmanaged grov.1h and development endanger some of those very Qualities, An additional
325,000 people will live here by the year 2010 (State of Washington Office of Financial
Management). bringing the total population to 1.8 million. While gro.....,h fuels the area's strong
economy. ¡he absence of effective managemer,t of ¡hat gro,.,..¡h t}-,rea¡ens the features that are
essential to a rich Qualley of life.
The effects of uncoordinated and unplanned grov.1h are obvious, King County has the fifth worst
traffic mess in the nation. declining air and water Quality, flooding aggravated by development, and
escalating housing costs. Many of the schools are overcrowded and local governments are
struggling to pay for increased demands for services to control pime and to provide critical human
resources.
The need facing the County and State is to provide the incentives necessary to promote a vigorous,
sound. and diversified economy, while reducing. controlling and managing the potential adverse
effects of uncoordinated and unplanned growth.
The Washington Sta¡e Legislature passed the Growth Management Act (GMA) in 1990 and
strengthened it in 1991 to address these problems,
B.
The Process
Growth management involves planning for economic and population growth, determining where
new jobs and housing should go and then locating and phasing population growth in accordance
with the ability to provide infrastructure and services. This should include economic development,
a workable transpor1ation system, quality drinking wa¡er, affordable housing. good schools. open
space and parks and, at the same time. protection of our natural environment.
King County and the 31 cities within it are addressing groW1h management problems together and
in their local jurisdictions, Planning at both levels is called for by the Growth Management Act.
All jurisdictions are working together to develop a vision for the future, This vision is embodied in
this series of policies called Countywide Planning Folicies. Realization of this vision involves
trade-offs and difficult choices about the appropriate level of growth. its location. the type of
grow¡h to be' encouraged, public spending. governance decisions, environmental protection, and
the Quality of life in King County,
A formal body, the Growth Management Planning Council, with elected officials from Seanle, the
suburban cities, and King County, has considered these draft policies, and based on public input,
will make a recommendation to the King County Council for adoption. Adoption must take place
by July 1. 1992. King County will then submit the adopted policies to the cities for ratification.
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The Count'{v,'ide Planning Policies will serve as the frarne",'ork for each juriSdiction's own
comprehensive plan, ".hieh must be in place by July', 1993. These individual comprehensive
plans throughout the county, then. will be consistent with the overall vision for the future of King
County.
C.
The Growth Management Act
The GMA fundamentally changes the way :hõt comprehensive pianning is to be done and land use
decisions are to be made in WashinglOn State. The challenge of G MA is to establish a countywide
vision and devise a strategy to achieve it. This includes balancing grC',','th. economics. land use,
infrastructure, and finance, If resources are inadequate to realize the vision, then the strategies
and land use must be revised. The GMA requires Coun7ywide Planning Policies be adopted by July
" 1992. At a minimum. the policies must address:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Implementation of RCW 3S.7C.o,.11 0 (Urban Grc,'"h Areas!;
Promotion of contiguous ao,d crderly development and pro,'ision of urban services;
Siting of public capital facilities;
Transpona~ion facilities and slra~egies;
Affordable housing;
Joint county and city planning within Urban Growth Areas;
countywide economic development and employment; and
Analysis of fiscal impact.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Special emphasis is placed on transpona~ion, Future development ac~ivity wiil be constrained by a
jurisdiction's ability to provide and finance Iransponation improvemer,ts or strategies. This fact has
implications for all jurisdictions who can no .Ior,ger finance and build the facilities necessary to
retain current service levels.
D.
Vision for King County 2012
Our county has significantly changed in the 20 years that have eiapsed from 1992 to today. The
'paramount cause for this change has been the successful public.'priva~e pannership which has:
suppor-.ed a diversified. sound regional economy; managed and accommodated growth; and
main~ained the county's quali~y of life,
An eHective stewardship of the environmer,t has preserved and protected the critical areas in the
coumy. This stewardship has extended to tr.e conservation of o:.:r rand, air. water and energy
resources for future generations,
The rural areas first formally identified in 1985 and expanded in 1992 remain permanently
preserved with a clear boundary between rural and urban areas.
Development has emphasized the use and reuse of the existing urbanized areas. Much of the new
groWth after 1992 first occurred in the areas where there was existi,," capacity. Growth then
occurred where existing infrastructure could be easily extended or e"c,anced, Lastly, areas which
required significant new investment in infraslructure accommodated ;rov.1h, Today, there still is
ample room for new development within ¡r.e urtan area,
Much of the growth in employment. and a significant share of new housing. has oCcurred in Urban
Centers, These Centers now provide a mi'1uce of emplcyment, res::er.tial, commercial. Cultural
and recreational opponunities. The cen,ers are linked by the high'capacity transit system. and
transit stations within the cen,ers are located ,','i,hin walking dis¡ance to all pans of the center,
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06/1 0/1992
Each center has its own unique character, and they are all noted for their livability, pedestrian
orientation and superior design.
Smal;er concentrations of businesses are distributed throughout the urban area, and focus on
providing goods and services to surrounding residential areas, They are linked to Urban Centers by
an effective loca; transit system.
Manufacturing/industrial areas continue to thrive and be key components in the urban area. They
are served by a transponation system which emphasizes the movement of people and goods to and
within these areas.
Rural cities provide unique environments within the rural area and provide commercial and employ.
ment opponunities for their residents, This includes retail, educational and social services for city
residents and surrounding rural areas. Businesses in rural cities provide employment opponunities
for local residents.
The er,tire urban area is increasingly characterized by superior urban design and an open space
network which defines and separates. yet links the various urban areas and jurisdictions,
Countywide and regional facilities have been located where needed, sited unobtrusively and with
2ppropriate incentives and proper impact mitig2tion,
Anractive and work2ble a;ternatives to the single-occupant vehicle have been bui;t and strategies
adopted which assure the mobility of people, goods and information throughout the county and
beyond. '
Regional funds have been used to funher the regional land use plan and fund needed regional
facilities. Local resources have been focused on local facilities. The sharing of resources to
accomplish common goals is done so that the, regional plan can succeed and so that all can benefit.
The economy is vibrant and sustainable, and emphasizes diversity in the range of goods produced
and services provided. Businesses continue to locate in our county because of the high quality of
life, ,he emphasis on providing a superior education, and the prediClability brought about by the
management of growth and the effectiveness of the public/priva,e pannership in these areas as
well as the mu,uaily beneficial pannership in economic developme"t.
Housing opporcunities for all incomes and lifestyles exist throughout the county, and with the
balanced transponation system. access to employmer,t is assured.
The "eeds of residents are anended to by a social service system ,hat emphasizes prevention, but
which stands ready to respond to direct needs as weil.
The urban area is located within the incorporated cities. which are the primary urban service
providers. Where appropriate, sub-regional consoniums have been created for certain services. and
the county government is recognized as a regional service provider.
Through a clear understanding of groWth management. residents a"d businesses have recognized
that all problems will not be cured quickly, but ciear and reasonable timelines and financing
commitments demonstrate to them that problems will be solved. Residents and businesses trust in
their local governments because the plans and promises made to manage growth in 1992 have
been foilowed. Change is accepted and proceeds in an orderly fashion based on the growth
management plan.
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0611 011992
E.
The Framework Policies
The GMA gives local officials new tools for plannino and. for the first time, mandates that the
county and cities work together to establ:sh an ove'all vision, Thrcc;¡h a ccl:aborative process. the
local jurisdictions of King County have prepared the following dran cour,tywide planning policies,
This process relies on local choice to determine the denSity/intensity and character of each area.
All jurisdictions must recognize that the smart. lonQ term choices for ¡he region will require
compromises in local self-determination.
These policies represent a cohesive set and are not individual, stand'alone concepts. The ideas
represented here balance each other to establish a .ision for ¡he coce.ty ,...hieh buiids on existing
land use panerns. The policies are organized by topics in separate cr,a;::ers. At¡he beginning of
each chapter is a framework policy which establishes the overall direction for the following policies,
The Countywide Planning Policies can only be reali,ed through local plans ar,d regulations. A
decision made locally must become a commitrner,t1hat the region can rely upon, The following
framework policies outline the county,...ide ;:lar.r,i.oQ o'oeass.
FW.1
STEP 1:
Countywide growth management is a five.step process:
STEP 2:
e.
STEP 3:
The Countywide Planning Policies shall become etfective upon adoption by the King
County Council and ratitication by at least thirty percent of the city and county
governments representing seventy percent of the pcpulation in King County.
(September 1992 target date)
a.
The GroWth Manacement Planninc Council IGMPC) shall receive by October
and confirm by December 1992 nominations from cities for Urban Centers
and Manufacturinc/lndustrial Centers as established in the Countywide
Planning Policies. (October-December 1992 tarcet dates)
b.
The GMPC shall adopt 20 year tucet numbers for projected population
croWth and capacity based on Urban Centers decisions, the criteria
established in policies LU.S1 and LU.S2, and population ranges
recommended by an interjurisdictional staff ccmminee. IDecember 1992
tarcet date)
c.
The GMPC shall adopt 20 year tarcet numbers for projected employment
crowth and capacity based on Urban Centers decisions. the criteria
established in policy LU.S3. and employment ran.es recommended by an
interjurisdictional slaff comminee. IDecember 1992 target date)
d.
Housing and jobs to accommodate Kinc County's projected population shall
be planned in the context of carrying capacity of the land. Housinc density
and sffordability shall be considered co-equal objectives.
The GMPC shall confirm the Urban Growth Areas based on Centers
designations and subarea population and empioyment tarcets. insuring
sufficient capacity wi¡hin the Urban Growth Area to meet projected growth.
IDecember 1992 target datel
All jurisdictions shall make the decisions required to implement the Countywide
Planning Policies into their respective comprehensive plans. (July 1993 tarcet date)
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06/1 0/1992
STEP 4:
a,
The GMPC shall reconvene in July 1993 or sooner as needed to review
issues raised through local plan implementation efforts, and 10 consider new
or revised policies developed through implemenlalion of the GMPC tasks
specified in the Countywide Planning Policies, The GMPC shall recommend
revisions as needed 10 resolve identified conflicts between policies and
address implementation issues, (July 1994 target date)
b.
The GMPC shall establish a process for resolving conflicts between local
plans and the Countywide Planning Policies as raised by local jurisdictions,
and may recommend amendments 10 either the Countywide Planning
Policies or local plans, (July 1994 target dalel
c.
Amendments to the Countywide Planning Policies shall be subject to
ratification by at least thirty percent of the city and county governments
representing seventy of the population in King County. ¡July 1994 target
date)
STEP 5:
All jurisdictions shall make ,he decisions required 10 i",~lement the Countywide
Planning Policies and their respective comprehensive plans through regulations,
(July 1 994 target date)
FW.2
Countywide Planning Policies are effective after King County adoPtion and city tatification
for the purposes of updating comprehensive plans. and providing a policy framework for
other governmental actions of all jurisdictions. Significant planning options will be
precluded if interim actions are not taken to assure capacity and direct growth in the Urban
area. and to protect the Rural area from the impacts of growth, The following interim
actions will be taken by all jurisdictions no later than one month after ratification.
a.
King County shall adopt interim rural zoning consistent with the designation of rural
for the "new" Rural area'adopted through the Countywide Planning Policies to
ensure rural character is not threatened by additional subdivision activity.
b.
All jurisdictions in the Urban area will adopt interim minimum density ordinances and
review and. where appropriate, remove regulatory barriers to accessory dwelling
units and manufactured homes on individual lots. to ensure that urban land is used
efficiently.
c,
Jurisdictions shall not expand the existing land area zoned for business/office parks.
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