By Denice Trimble on Posted in Development,EnvironmentalThe average person takes 20,000 breathes a day. How much of that is indoor air? The Washington Department of Ecology and national standard groups are thinking about this issue and are concerned that some of that indoor air contains high levels of vapor contaminants from volatile organic and inorganic compounds (VOCs). Vapor intrusion is the … Continue Reading
By Katie F. Cote, AICP on Posted in Development,Growth Management Act,Land Use,Land Use Planning,MunicipalKitsap’s population grew 8.3% over the past ten years placing it 11th from the bottom in population growth rates among Washington’s 39 counties. Perhaps the lack of population pressure contributed to Kitsap County’s decision to consider prohibiting Fully Contained Communities, as authorized by the Washington Growth Management Act. In concept, a Fully Contained Community (FCC) … Continue Reading
By Saira Rhodes on Posted in Development,Environmental,Water LawTomorrow, TC Richmond and Adam Gravley are presenting “Water: Focusing on Regional Efficiency and Sustainability” , which asks the question – what is “sustainability” in the water resources arena?, at the New Economic Alliance Between Environmental & Business Interests conference–where a dynamic faculty will examine the points of convergence between business and the environment in these new and trying … Continue Reading
By molawrence on Posted in Development,Land Use,MunicipalAll signs indicate that it will be several more months – if not years – before FEMA finalizes the floodplain maps for many Puget Sound jurisdictions, including King County (Green River) and Pierce County (Puyallup River). “Acknowledging that there are ongoing flood hazard analysis studies where the ‘without levees’ approach has been used, FEMA will … Continue Reading
By Jay P. Derr on Posted in UncategorizedGeography professor emeritus, Richard Morrill from the University of Washington posted an article describing trends in population growth across the state between 2000 and 2010, based on a look at 2010 census data. One striking observation stands out, particularly for GMA advocates who emphasize the importance of setting tight urban growth boundaries inside which growth … Continue Reading
By Anna M. Nelson on Posted in Electric Vehicles,Energy Efficiency/SustainabilityThe Washington State Department of Commerce and WSDOT are teaming up to implement the nation’s first “electric highway,” a basic network of public access electric vehicle (EV) recharging locations along Interstate 5. Once implemented, Washington will have the first border to border highway to offer fast charge technology. The project supports the West Coast Green Highway … Continue Reading
By Jay P. Derr on Posted in Energy Efficiency/Sustainability,Environmental,Land Use,MunicipalA recent post, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, commented on a not too surprising gap in the City of Seattle’s land use codes that did not specifically address construction of a 200-foot tall ferris wheel. While local governments probably don’t need to run out and amend their local codes to address ferris wheels specifically, another developing trend in local … Continue Reading
By Tadas A. Kisielius on Posted in Development,Growth Management Act,Land Use,MunicipalJurisdictions throughout the state are in varying stages of updating their local shoreline master programs (SMPs). While several have completed the process, others, like Seattle are still relatively early in the process, and some have yet to start. Each jurisdiction’s progress is shown on the Department of Ecology’s website. SMPs regulate development and land use within … Continue Reading
By molawrence on Posted in Environmental,Growth Management Act,Land Use,MunicipalFEMA, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries (NMFS), Puget Sound Partnership and other partnering organizations held a two day conference March 1st and 2nd in Edmonds in an effort to help local governments, technical consultants and other NGOs understand options for implementing the Biological Opinion (“BiOP”) issued by NMFS in September 2008 regarding FEMA’s implementation of the National … Continue Reading
By Duncan M. Greene on Posted in DevelopmentThe Washington State Legislature is considering a bill that would establish a new process for addressing the long-standing tension between agricultural activities and the protection of critical areas as required by the State Growth Management Act (GMA). If adopted, the bill (ESHB 1886) would require counties throughout the state to choose between protecting critical areas … Continue Reading
By Peter J. Smith on Posted in Development,Growth Management Act,Land Use,Land Use Planning,MunicipalAs discussed in “Smart Growth = Better Bottom Line?”, recent studies demonstrate that dense, mixed-use urban development centered around public transit (“smart growth”) can translate into economic gains for local businesses, citizens, and the government. An additional cost-saving tool also available to eligible cities passed last year: the “Compact, High-Density Urban Development” bill. Although a … Continue Reading
