By Tadas A. Kisielius on Posted in Growth Management ActA recent ballot measure in Florida is making national headlines and is raising the fundamental question of who should be entrusted with the authority to make land use planning decisions. If adopted, the ballot measure would require local voter approval for comprehensive planning and zoning decisions. It is a reaction to public displeasure with decisions of local governments … Continue Reading
By David G. Van Skike on Posted in Energy Efficiency/SustainabilityToday, the City of Seattle’s new land use code governing urban farming and community gardens takes effect allowing “urban farms” and “community gardens” in all zones providing some limitations in industrial zones, and giving residents the ability to sell food grown on their property. As jurisdictions become increasingly committed to sustainability as a public policy, measures such … Continue Reading
By Jay P. Derr on Posted in Growth Management Act2010 marks 20 years since the Washington Growth Management Act (GMA) was first passed by the state legislature with a stated purpose of addressing the significant threat posed by the then-current system of “uncoordinated and unplanned” growth in the state. GMA was born out of political compromise and significant public debate over what level of … Continue Reading
By Anna M. Nelson on Posted in Electric VehiclesKatie Cote also contributed to this post The Joneses down the street just bought an electric car and you think you might want one too, but where do you plug it in? The Washington State Department of Commerce and Puget Sound Regional Council recently issued A Guide for Local Governments in Washington State for Electric … Continue Reading
By Duncan M. Greene on Posted in EnvironmentalConservation easements are used by land trusts and government agencies as an alternative to fee simple acquisitions of land for conservation and recreation purposes. While most practitioners agree that conservation easements are valuable tools, a debate has been simmering over whether conservation easements should be preferred over fee simple acquisitions. As a statistical matter, the … Continue Reading
By Marni H. Wright on Posted in Energy Efficiency/SustainabilityJessica Green of Brightworks also contributed to this post. The State of Washington and the City of Seattle are passing new laws and ordinances to increase energy efficiency. In particular, the Washington State Building Code Council adopted changes to the Washington State Energy Code to require building owners to achieve additional energy efficiency. Public hearings … Continue Reading
By Jay P. Derr on Posted in UncategorizedMany jurisdictions either already have, or would like to consider adopting, ordinances that impose minimum open space requirements and/or require protection of a specified number of trees or amount of tree canopy to retain the benefits that open space and tree preservation provide. In many cases, to keep compliance and implementation simple and predictable, ordinances … Continue Reading
