This section modifies existing section 36.70A.020. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The following goals are adopted to guide the development and adoption of comprehensive plans and development regulations of those counties and cities that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 and, where specified, also guide the development of regional policies, plans, and strategies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and chapter 47.80 RCW. The following goals are not listed in order of priority and shall be used exclusively for the purpose of guiding the development of comprehensive plans , development regulations**, and, where specified, regional plans, policies, and strategies**:
Urban growth. Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.
Reduce sprawl. Reduce the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development.
Transportation. Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that help achieve statewide targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and per capita vehicle miles traveled, and are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans.
Housing. Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.
Economic development. Encourage economic development throughout the state that is consistent with adopted comprehensive plans, promote economic opportunity for all citizens of this state, especially for unemployed and for disadvantaged persons, promote the retention and expansion of existing businesses and recruitment of new businesses, recognize regional differences impacting economic development opportunities, and encourage growth in areas experiencing insufficient economic growth, all within the capacities of the state's natural resources, public services, and public facilities.
Property rights. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation having been made. The property rights of landowners shall be protected from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.
Permits. Applications for both state and local government permits should be processed in a timely and fair manner to ensure predictability.
Natural resource industries. Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries. Encourage the conservation of productive forestlands and productive agricultural lands, and discourage incompatible uses.
Open space and recreation. Retain open space, enhance recreational opportunities, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks and recreation facilities.
Environment. Protect the environment and enhance the state's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water.
Citizen participation and coordination. Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts.
Public facilities and services. Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development at the time the development is available for occupancy and use without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.
Historic preservation. Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures, that have historical or archaeological significance.
Climate change. Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies, plans, and strategies under RCW 36.70A.210 and chapter 47.80 RCW adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate, support state greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements and state vehicle miles traveled goals, prepare for climate impact scenarios, foster resiliency to climate impacts and natural hazards, and protect environmental, economic, human health, and safety.
This section modifies existing section 36.70A.480. Here is the modified chapter for context.
For shorelines of the state, the goals and policies of the shoreline management act as set forth in RCW 90.58.020 are added as one of the goals of this chapter as set forth in RCW 36.70A.020 without creating an order of priority among the 15 goals. The goals and policies of a shoreline master program for a county or city approved under chapter 90.58 RCW shall be considered an element of the county or city's comprehensive plan. All other portions of the shoreline master program for a county or city adopted under chapter 90.58 RCW, including use regulations, shall be considered a part of the county or city's development regulations.
The shoreline master program shall be adopted pursuant to the procedures of chapter 90.58 RCW rather than the goals, policies, and procedures set forth in this chapter for the adoption of a comprehensive plan or development regulations.
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The policies, goals, and provisions of chapter 90.58 RCW and applicable guidelines shall be the sole basis for determining compliance of a shoreline master program with this chapter except as the shoreline master program is required to comply with the internal consistency provisions of RCW 36.70A.070, 36.70A.040(4), 35.63.125, and 35A.63.105.
Except as otherwise provided in (c) of this subsection, development regulations adopted under this chapter to protect critical areas within shorelines of the state apply within shorelines of the state until the department of ecology approves one of the following: A comprehensive master program update, as defined in RCW 90.58.030; a segment of a master program relating to critical areas, as provided in RCW 90.58.090; or a new or amended master program approved by the department of ecology on or after March 1, 2002, as provided in RCW 90.58.080. The adoption or update of development regulations to protect critical areas under this chapter prior to department of ecology approval of a master program update as provided in this subsection is not a comprehensive or segment update to the master program.
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Until the department of ecology approves a master program or segment of a master program as provided in (b) of this subsection, a use or structure legally located within shorelines of the state that was established or vested on or before the effective date of the local government's development regulations to protect critical areas may continue as a conforming use and may be redeveloped or modified if: (A) The redevelopment or modification is consistent with the local government's master program; and (B) the local government determines that the proposed redevelopment or modification will result in no net loss of shoreline ecological functions. The local government may waive this requirement if the redevelopment or modification is consistent with the master program and the local government's development regulations to protect critical areas.
For purposes of this subsection (3)(c), an agricultural activity that does not expand the area being used for the agricultural activity is not a redevelopment or modification. "Agricultural activity," as used in this subsection (3)(c), has the same meaning as defined in RCW 90.58.065.
Upon department of ecology approval of a shoreline master program or critical area segment of a shoreline master program, critical areas within shorelines of the state are protected under chapter 90.58 RCW and are not subject to the procedural and substantive requirements of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (6) of this section. Nothing in chapter 321, Laws of 2003 or chapter 107, Laws of 2010 is intended to affect whether or to what extent agricultural activities, as defined in RCW 90.58.065, are subject to chapter 36.70A RCW.
The provisions of RCW 36.70A.172 shall not apply to the adoption or subsequent amendment of a local government's shoreline master program and shall not be used to determine compliance of a local government's shoreline master program with chapter 90.58 RCW and applicable guidelines. Nothing in this section, however, is intended to limit or change the quality of information to be applied in protecting critical areas within shorelines of the state, as required by chapter 90.58 RCW and applicable guidelines.
Shoreline master programs shall provide a level of protection to critical areas located within shorelines of the state that assures no net loss of shoreline ecological functions necessary to sustain shoreline natural resources as defined by department of ecology guidelines adopted pursuant to RCW 90.58.060.
Shorelines of the state shall not be considered critical areas under this chapter except to the extent that specific areas located within shorelines of the state qualify for critical area designation based on the definition of critical areas provided by RCW 36.70A.030(6) and have been designated as such by a local government pursuant to RCW 36.70A.060(2).
If a local jurisdiction's master program does not include land necessary for buffers for critical areas that occur within shorelines of the state, as authorized by RCW 90.58.030(2)(d), then the local jurisdiction shall continue to regulate those critical areas and their required buffers pursuant to RCW 36.70A.060(2).
This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 36.70A. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The requirements of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement of the climate change and resiliency element set forth in RCW 36.70A.070 apply only to those counties, and the cities within those counties, that meet either of the following criteria on or after January 1, 2021:
A county with a population density of at least 100 people per square mile and a population of at least 200,000; or
A county with a population density of at least 75 people per square mile and an annual growth rate of at least 1.75 percent as determined by the office of financial management.
Once a county meets either of the sets of criteria set forth in subsection (1) of this section, the requirement to conform with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement of the climate change and resiliency element set forth in RCW 36.70A.070 remains in effect, even if the county no longer meets one of these sets of criteria.
If the population of a county that previously had not been required to conform with the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement of the climate change and resiliency element set forth in RCW 36.70A.070 changes sufficiently to meet either of the sets of criteria set forth in subsection (1) of this section, the county, and the cities within that county, shall adopt a greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement of the climate change and resiliency element set forth in RCW 36.70A.070 at the next scheduled update of the comprehensive plan as set forth in RCW 36.70A.130.
This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 70A.45. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The department of commerce, in consultation with the department of ecology, the department of health, and the department of transportation, shall publish guidelines that specify the proportionate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with passenger cars and light trucks that must be accomplished within the geographical area of each regional transportation planning organization or metropolitan planning organization, as those terms are described in chapter 47.80 RCW, that comprises one or more jurisdictions described in section 3 of this act or, for cities and counties described in section 3 of this act that are not members of a regional transportation planning organization or a metropolitan planning organization, the proportionate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with passenger cars and light trucks that must be accomplished within each such city and county, in order to achieve proportionate shares of the statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions set forth in RCW 70A.45.020(1), allowing for consideration of the emissions reductions achieved through the adoption of statewide programs. The guidelines must prioritize reductions in communities that have experienced disproportionate harm due to air pollution and may draw upon the most recent health disparities data from the department of health to identify high pollution areas and disproportionately burdened communities. In addition to a total proportionate share, the department of commerce shall also publish an advisory proportionate share for each county and city described in section 3 of this act in order to aid the regional transportation planning organization or metropolitan planning organization in allocating reductions. The guidelines must be based on:
The most recent greenhouse gas emissions report prepared by the department of ecology and the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 70A.45.020(2); and
The most recent city and county population estimates prepared by the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.62.035.
The department of commerce, in consultation with the department of transportation, shall publish guidelines that specify the proportionate reductions in passenger car and light truck vehicle miles traveled that must be accomplished within the geographical area of each regional transportation planning organization or metropolitan planning organization, as those terms are described in chapter 47.80 RCW, that comprises one or more jurisdictions described in section 3 of this act or, for cities and counties described in section 3 of this act that are not members of a regional transportation planning organization or a metropolitan planning organization, those cities and counties, in order to achieve their proportionate shares of the transportation sector's, passenger car and light truck segment, proportionate share of overall greenhouse gas emissions that must be accomplished in order to achieve the statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions set forth in RCW 70A.45.020(1). In addition to a total proportionate share of reduction of vehicle miles traveled for each regional transportation planning organization and metropolitan planning organization, the department of commerce shall also publish an advisory proportionate share for each county and city described in section 3 of this act in order to aid each regional transportation planning organization and metropolitan planning organization in allocating reductions.
The guidelines must be based on:
a. The most recent greenhouse gas emissions report prepared by the department of ecology and the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 70A.45.020(2);
b. The most recent city and county population estimates prepared by the department of commerce pursuant to RCW 43.62.035; and
c. The most recent summary of vehicle miles traveled as compiled by the department of transportation.
This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 36.70A. Here is the modified chapter for context.
A greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement required by RCW 36.70A.070 becomes effective when approved by the department as provided in this section. The department shall strive to achieve final action on a submitted greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement within 180 days of receipt and shall post an annual assessment related to this performance benchmark on the agency website.
Upon receipt of a proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, the department shall:
Provide notice to and opportunity for written comment by all interested parties of record as a part of the local government review process for the proposal and to all persons, groups, and agencies that have requested in writing notice of proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelements. The comment period shall be at least 30 days, unless the department determines that the level of complexity or controversy involved supports a shorter period;
In the department's discretion, conduct a public hearing during the 30-day comment period in the jurisdiction proposing the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement;
Within 15 days after the close of public comment, request the local government to review the issues identified by the public, interested parties, groups, and agencies and provide a written response as to how the proposal addresses the identified issues;
Within 30 days after receipt of the local government response pursuant to (c) of this subsection, make written findings and conclusions regarding the consistency of the proposal with the policy of RCW 36.70A.070 and, after they are adopted, the applicable guidelines adopted by the department pursuant to section 5 of this act and any reduction allocations made pursuant to RCW 36.70A.100, provide a response to the issues identified in (c) of this subsection, and either approve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement as submitted, recommend specific changes necessary to make the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement approvable, or deny approval of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement in those instances where no alteration of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement appears likely to be consistent with the policy of RCW 36.70A.070 and the applicable guidelines. The written findings and conclusions shall be provided to the local government, and made available to all interested persons, parties, groups, and agencies of record on the proposal;
If the department recommends changes to the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, within 90 days after the department mails the written findings and conclusions to the local government, require the local government to:
Agree to the proposed changes by written notice to the department; or
Submit an alternative greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement. If, in the opinion of the department, the alternative is consistent with the purpose and intent of the changes originally submitted by the department and with this chapter it shall approve the changes and provide notice to all recipients of the written findings and conclusions. If the department determines the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement is not consistent with the purpose and intent of the changes proposed by the department, the department may resubmit the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement for public and agency review pursuant to this section or reject the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement.
The department shall approve a proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement unless it determines that the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement is not consistent with the policy of RCW 36.70A.070 and, after they are adopted, the applicable guidelines.
A greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement takes effect when and in such form as approved or adopted by the department. The effective date is 14 days from the date of the department's written notice of final action to the local government stating the department has approved or rejected the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement. The department's written notice to the local government must conspicuously and plainly state that it is the department's final decision and that there will be no further modifications to the proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement. The department shall maintain a record of each greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, the action taken on any proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, and any appeal of the department's action. The department's approved document of record constitutes the official greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement.
Promptly after approval or disapproval of a local government's greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, the department shall publish a notice consistent with RCW 36.70A.290 that the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement has been approved or disapproved. This notice must be filed for all greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelements.
The department's final decision to approve or reject a proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement or amendment by a local government planning under RCW 36.70A.040 may be appealed according to the following provisions:
The department's final decision to approve or reject a proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement or amendment by a local government planning under RCW 36.70A.040 may be appealed to the growth management hearings board by filing a petition as provided in RCW 36.70A.290.
A decision of the growth management hearings board concerning an appeal of the department's final decision to approve or reject a proposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement or amendment must be based solely on whether or not the adopted or amended greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, any adopted amendments to other elements of the comprehensive plan necessary to carry out the subelement, and any adopted or amended development regulations necessary to implement the subelement, comply with the goal set forth in RCW 36.70A.020(14) as it applies to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, RCW 36.70A.070(9) excluding RCW 36.70A.070(9)(b), the guidelines adopted under section 5 of this act applicable to the greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement, or chapter 43.21C RCW.
This section modifies existing section 36.70A.320. Here is the modified chapter for context.
Except as provided in subsections (5) and (6) of this section, comprehensive plans and development regulations, and amendments thereto, adopted under this chapter are presumed valid upon adoption.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, the burden is on the petitioner to demonstrate that any action taken by a state agency, county, or city under this chapter is not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
In any petition under this chapter, the board, after full consideration of the petition, shall determine whether there is compliance with the requirements of this chapter. In making its determination, the board shall consider the criteria adopted by the department under RCW 36.70A.190(4). The board shall find compliance unless it determines that the action by the state agency, county, or city is clearly erroneous in view of the entire record before the board and in light of the goals and requirements of this chapter.
A county or city subject to a determination of invalidity made under RCW 36.70A.300 or 36.70A.302 has the burden of demonstrating that the ordinance or resolution it has enacted in response to the determination of invalidity will no longer substantially interfere with the fulfillment of the goals of this chapter under the standard in RCW 36.70A.302(1).
The shoreline element of a comprehensive plan and the applicable development regulations adopted by a county or city shall take effect as provided in chapter 90.58 RCW.
The greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement required by RCW 36.70A.070 shall take effect as provided in section 6 of this act.
This section modifies existing section 36.70A.190. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The department shall establish a program of technical and financial assistance and incentives to counties and cities to encourage and facilitate the adoption and implementation of comprehensive plans and development regulations throughout the state.
The department shall develop a priority list and establish funding levels for planning and technical assistance grants both for counties and cities that plan under RCW 36.70A.040. Priority for assistance shall be based on a county's or city's population growth rates, commercial and industrial development rates, the existence and quality of a comprehensive plan and development regulations, and other relevant factors.
The department shall develop and administer a grant program to provide direct financial assistance to counties and cities for the preparation of comprehensive plans under this chapter. The department may establish provisions for county and city matching funds to conduct activities under this subsection. Grants may be expended for any purpose directly related to the preparation of a county or city comprehensive plan as the county or city and the department may agree, including, without limitation, the conducting of surveys, inventories and other data gathering and management activities, the retention of planning consultants, contracts with regional councils for planning and related services, and other related purposes.
The department shall establish a program of technical assistance:
Utilizing department staff, the staff of other state agencies, and the technical resources of counties and cities to help in the development of comprehensive plans required under this chapter. The technical assistance may include, but not be limited to, model land use ordinances, regional education and training programs, and information for local and regional inventories; and
Adopting by rule procedural criteria to assist counties and cities in adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations that meet the goals and requirements of this chapter. These criteria shall reflect regional and local variations and the diversity that exists among different counties and cities that plan under this chapter.
The department shall provide mediation services to resolve disputes between counties and cities regarding, among other things, coordination of regional issues and designation of urban growth areas.
The department shall provide planning grants to enhance citizen participation under RCW 36.70A.140.
The department shall develop, in collaboration with the department of ecology, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, the department of health, and the emergency management division of the military department, and adopt by rule guidance that creates a model climate change and resiliency element that may be used by counties, cities, and multiple-county planning regions for developing and implementing climate change and resiliency plans and policies required by RCW 36.70A.070(9), subject to the following provisions:
The model element must establish minimum requirements or include model options for fulfilling the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070(9);
The model element should provide guidance on identifying, designing, and investing in infrastructure that supports community resilience to climate impacts, including the protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural infrastructure as well as traditional infrastructure and protecting natural areas resilient to climate impacts, as well as areas of vital habitat for safe passage and species migration;
The model element should provide guidance on identifying and addressing natural hazards created or aggravated by climate change, including sea level rise, landslides, flooding, drought, heat, smoke, wildfires, and other effects of reasonably anticipated changes to temperature and precipitation patterns; and
The rule must recognize and promote as many cobenefits of climate resilience as possible such as salmon recovery, ecosystem services, and supporting treaty rights.
This section modifies existing section 36.70A.100. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The comprehensive plan of each county or city adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040 shall be :
Coordinated with, and consistent with, the comprehensive plans adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.040 of other counties or cities with which the county or city has, in part, common borders or related regional issues**; and**
Consistent with the regional transportation plans required under RCW 47.80.030 for the region within which the county or city is located.
This section modifies existing section 47.80.030. Here is the modified chapter for context.
Each regional transportation planning organization shall develop in cooperation with the department of transportation, providers of public transportation and high capacity transportation, ports, and local governments within the region, adopt, and periodically update a regional transportation plan that:
Is based on a least cost planning methodology that identifies the most cost-effective facilities, services, and programs;
Identifies existing or planned transportation facilities, services, and programs, including but not limited to major roadways including state highways and regional arterials, transit and nonmotorized services and facilities, multimodal and intermodal facilities, marine ports and airports, railroads, and noncapital programs including transportation demand management that should function as an integrated regional transportation system, giving emphasis to those facilities, services, and programs that exhibit one or more of the following characteristics:
Crosses member county lines;
Is or will be used by a significant number of people who live or work outside the county in which the facility, service, or project is located;
Significant impacts are expected to be felt in more than one county;
Potentially adverse impacts of the facility, service, program, or project can be better avoided or mitigated through adherence to regional policies;
Transportation needs addressed by a project have been identified by the regional transportation planning process and the remedy is deemed to have regional significance; and
Provides for system continuity;
Establishes level of service standards for state highways and state ferry routes, with the exception of transportation facilities of statewide significance as defined in RCW 47.06.140. These regionally established level of service standards for state highways and state ferries shall be developed jointly with the department of transportation, to encourage consistency across jurisdictions. In establishing level of service standards for state highways and state ferries, consideration shall be given for the necessary balance between providing for the free interjurisdictional movement of people and goods and the needs of local commuters using state facilities;
Includes a financial plan demonstrating how the regional transportation plan can be implemented, indicating resources from public and private sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the plan, and recommending any innovative financing techniques to finance needed facilities, services, and programs;
Assesses regional development patterns, capital investment and other measures necessary to:
Ensure the preservation of the existing regional transportation system, including requirements for operational improvements, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation of existing and future major roadways, as well as operations, maintenance, modernization, and rehabilitation of existing and future transit, railroad systems and corridors, and nonmotorized facilities; and
Make the most efficient use of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular congestion and maximize the mobility of people and goods;
Sets forth a proposed regional transportation approach, including capital investments, service improvements, programs, and transportation demand management measures to guide the development of the integrated, multimodal regional transportation system. For regional growth centers, the approach must address transportation concurrency strategies required under RCW 36.70A.070 and include a measurement of vehicle level of service for off-peak periods and total multimodal capacity for peak periods; and
Where appropriate, sets forth the relationship of high capacity transportation providers and other public transit providers with regard to responsibility for, and the coordination between, services and facilities.
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Each regional transportation planning organization encompassing at least one jurisdiction described in section 3 of this act must adopt a regional emissions and vehicle miles reduction plan that addresses all jurisdictions comprising the organization and that:
Implements the goals adopted under RCW 47.01.440 to reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled; and
Will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in aggregate, from the transportation sector consistent with the share of emissions reductions assigned by the department of commerce under section 5 of this act to the jurisdictions comprising the organization.
For jurisdictions described in section 3 of this act, the regional emissions and vehicle miles reduction plan shall allocate per capita vehicle miles traveled reductions and greenhouse gas emissions reductions that must be achieved by the jurisdiction's greenhouse gas emissions reduction subelement after taking into account the reductions achieved within that jurisdiction by the regional emissions and vehicle miles reduction plan. These reductions must prioritize reductions in communities that have experienced disproportionate harm due to air pollution.
The organization shall review the regional transportation plan biennially for currency and forward the adopted plan along with documentation of the biennial review to the state department of transportation.
All transportation projects, programs, and transportation demand management measures within the region that have an impact upon regional facilities or services must be consistent with the plan and with the adopted regional growth and transportation strategies.
This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 47.80. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The department shall compile, maintain, and publish a summary of the vehicle miles traveled annually in each city in the state, and in the unincorporated portions of each county in the state.
This section adds a new section to an existing chapter 90.58. Here is the modified chapter for context.
The department shall update its shoreline master program guidelines to require shoreline master programs to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity on people, property, and shoreline natural resources and the environment.