AN ACT Relating to
regional transportation planning; amending RCW 47.80.030, 35.58.2795,
35.77.010, and 36.81.121; adding new sections to chapter 47.80 RCW; creating
new sections; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec.
1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. The legislature
recognizes that recent legislative enactments have significantly added to the
complexity of and to the potential for benefits from integrated transportation
and comprehensive planning and that there is currently a unique opportunity for
integration of local comprehensive plans and regional goals with state and
local transportation programs. Further, approaches to transportation demand
management initiatives and local and state transportation funding can be better
coordinated to insure an efficient, effective transportation system that
insures mobility and accessibility, and addresses community needs.
The legislature further
finds that transportation and land use share a critical relationship that
policy makers can better utilize to address regional strategies.
Prudent and
cost-effective investment by the state and by local governments in highway
facilities, local streets and arterials, rail facilities, marine facilities,
nonmotorized transportation facilities and systems, public transit systems,
transportation system management, transportation demand management, and the
development of high capacity transit systems can help to effectively address
mobility needs. Such investment can also enhance local and state objectives
for effective comprehensive planning, economic development strategies, and
clean air policies.
The legislature finds
that addressing public initiatives regarding transportation and comprehensive
planning necessitates an innovative approach. Improved integration between
transportation and comprehensive planning among public institutions,
particularly in the state's largest metropolitan areas is considered by the
state to be imperative, and to have significant benefit to the citizens of
Washington.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. ORGANIZATION'S DUTIES.
Each regional transportation planning organization shall have the following
duties:
(1) Prepare and
periodically update a transportation strategy for the region. The strategy
shall address alternative transportation modes and transportation demand
management measures in regional corridors and shall recommend preferred
transportation policies to implement adopted growth strategies. The strategy
shall serve as a guide in preparation of the regional transportation plan.
(2) Prepare a regional
transportation plan as set forth in RCW 47.80.030 that is consistent with
county-wide planning policies if such have been adopted pursuant to chapter
36.70A RCW, with county, city, and town comprehensive plans, and state
transportation plans.
(3) Certify by December
31, 1996, that the transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by
counties, cities, and towns within the region reflect the guidelines and
principles developed pursuant to section 3 of this act, are consistent with the
adopted regional transportation plan, and, where appropriate, conform with the
requirements of RCW 36.70A.070.
(4) Where appropriate,
certify that county-wide planning policies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and the
adopted regional transportation plan are consistent.
(5) Develop, in
cooperation with the department of transportation, operators of public transportation
services and local governments within the region, a six-year regional
transportation improvement program which proposes regionally significant
transportation projects and programs and transportation demand management
measures. The regional transportation improvement program shall be based on
the programs, projects, and transportation demand management measures of
regional significance as identified by transit agencies, cities, and counties
pursuant to RCW 35.58.2795, 35.77.010, and 36.81.121, respectively. The
program shall include a priority list of projects and programs, project
segments and programs, transportation demand management measures, and a
specific financial plan that demonstrates how the transportation improvement
program can be funded. The program shall be updated at least every two years
for the ensuing six-year period.
(6) Designate a lead
planning agency to coordinate preparation of the regional transportation plan
and carry out the other responsibilities of the organization. The lead
planning agency may be a regional organization, a component county, city, or
town agency, or the appropriate Washington state department of transportation
district office.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. COMPREHENSIVE PLANS,
TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES, AND PRINCIPLES. Each regional transportation
planning organization, with cooperation from component cities, towns, and
counties, shall establish guidelines and principles by July 1, 1995, that
provide specific direction for the development and evaluation of the
transportation elements of comprehensive plans, where such plans exist, and to
assure that state, regional, and local goals for the development of
transportation systems are met. These guidelines and principles shall address
at a minimum the relationship between transportation systems and the following
factors: Concentration of economic activity, residential density, development
corridors and urban design that, where appropriate, supports high capacity
transit, freight transportation and port access, development patterns that
promote pedestrian and nonmotorized transportation, circulation systems, access
to regional systems, effective and efficient highway systems, the ability of
transportation facilities and programs to retain existing and attract new jobs
and private investment and to accommodate growth in demand, transportation
demand management, joint and mixed use developments, present and future
railroad right-of-way corridor utilization, and intermodal connections.
Examples shall be
published by the organization to assist local governments in interpreting and
explaining the requirements of this section.
Sec. 4. RCW 47.80.030 and 1990
1st ex.s. c 17 s 55 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Each regional
transportation planning organization shall((:
(a) Certify that the
transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by counties, cities, and
towns within the region conform with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070, and
are consistent with regional transportation plans as provided for in (b) of
this subsection;
(b))) develop ((and adopt)) 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 consistent with county, city, and town comprehensive plans
and state transportation plans. Regional transportation planning organizations
are encouraged to use county, city, and town comprehensive plans that existed
prior to July 1, 1990, as the basis of its regional transportation plan
whenever possible. Such plans shall address)):
(a) Is based on a
least cost planning methodology that identifies the most cost-effective
facilities, services, and programs.
(b) Identifies
existing or planned transportation facilities ((and)), 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:
(i) Physically crosses
member county lines;
(ii) 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;
(iii) Significant
impacts are expected to be felt in more than one county;
(iv) Potentially
adverse impacts of the facility, service, program, or project can be
better avoided or mitigated through adherence to regional policies; and
(v) Transportation
needs addressed by a project have been identified by the regional
transportation planning process and the remedy is deemed to have regional
significance;
(c) ((Designate a
lead planning agency to coordinate preparation of the regional transportation
plan. The lead planning agency may be a regional council, a county, city, or
town agency, or a Washington state department of transportation district)) Establishes
level of service standards at a minimum for all state highways and state ferry
routes. 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;
(d) 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;
(e) Assesses
regional development patterns, capital investment and other measures necessary
to:
(i) 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
(ii) Make the most
efficient use of existing transportation facilities to relieve vehicular
congestion and maximize the mobility of people and goods;
(f) 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; and
(g) 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.
(2) The organization
shall review the regional transportation plan biennially for currency((;))
and
(((e))) forward
the adopted plan((, and)) along with documentation of the
biennial review ((of it,)) to the state department of transportation.
(((2))) (3)
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.
(((3) In order to
ensure state-wide consistency in the regional transportation planning process,
the state department of transportation shall:
(a) In cooperation
with regional transportation planning organizations, establish minimum
standards for development of a regional transportation plan;
(b) Facilitate
coordination between regional transportation planning organizations; and
(c) Through the
regional transportation planning process, and through state planning efforts as
required by RCW 47.01.071, identify and jointly plan improvements and strategies
within those corridors important to moving people and goods on a regional or
state-wide basis.))
NEW SECTION. Sec.
5. STATE-WIDE CONSISTENCY.
In order to ensure state-wide consistency in the regional transportation
planning process, the state department of transportation, in conformance with
chapter 34.05 RCW, shall:
(1) In cooperation with
regional transportation planning organizations, establish minimum standards for
development of a regional transportation plan;
(2) Facilitate
coordination between regional transportation planning organizations; and
(3) Through the
regional transportation planning process, and through state planning efforts as
required by RCW 47.01.071, identify and jointly plan improvements and
strategies within those corridors important to moving people and goods on a
regional or state-wide basis.
Sec. 6. RCW 35.58.2795 and 1990
1st ex.s. c 17 s 60 are each amended to read as follows:
By April 1st of each
year, the legislative authority of each municipality, as defined in RCW
35.58.272, and each regional transit authority shall prepare a six-year
transit development ((and financial program)) plan for that
calendar year and the ensuing five years. The program shall be consistent with
the comprehensive plans adopted by counties, cities, and towns, pursuant to
chapter 35.63, 35A.63, or 36.70 RCW, the inherent authority of a first class
city or charter county derived from its charter, or chapter 36.70A RCW. The
program shall contain information as to how the municipality intends to meet
state and local long-range priorities for public transportation, capital
improvements, significant operating changes planned for the system, and how the
municipality intends to fund program needs. The six-year plan for each
municipality and regional transit authority shall specifically set forth those
projects of regional significance for inclusion in the transportation
improvement program within that region. Each municipality and regional
transit authority shall file the six-year program with the state department
of transportation, the transportation improvement board, and cities, counties,
and regional planning councils within which the municipality is located.
In developing its program,
the municipality and the regional transit authority shall consider those
policy recommendations affecting public transportation contained in the state
transportation policy plan approved by the state transportation commission and,
where appropriate, adopted by the legislature. The municipality shall conduct
one or more public hearings while developing its program and for each annual
update.
Sec. 7. RCW 35.77.010 and 1990
1st ex.s. c 17 s 59 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The legislative
body of each city and town, pursuant to one or more public hearings thereon,
shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive ((street)) transportation
program for the ensuing six calendar years. If the city or town has adopted a
comprehensive plan pursuant to chapter 35.63 or 35A.63 RCW, the inherent
authority of a first class city derived from its charter, or chapter 36.70A
RCW, the program shall be consistent with this comprehensive plan.
The program shall be
filed with the secretary of transportation not more than thirty days after its
adoption. Annually thereafter the legislative body of each city and town shall
review the work accomplished under the program and determine current city ((street))
transportation needs. Based on these findings each such legislative
body shall prepare and after public hearings thereon adopt a revised and
extended comprehensive ((street)) transportation program before
July 1st of each year, and each one-year extension and revision shall be filed
with the secretary of transportation not more than thirty days after its
adoption. The purpose of this section is to assure that each city and town
shall perpetually have available advanced plans looking to the future for not
less than six years as a guide in carrying out a coordinated ((street
construction)) transportation program. The program may at any time
be revised by a majority of the legislative body of a city or town, but only after
a public hearing.
((The six-year
program of each city lying within an urban area shall contain a separate
section setting forth the six-year program for arterial street construction
based upon its long range construction plan and formulated in accordance with
rules of the transportation improvement board. The six-year program for
arterial street construction shall be submitted to the transportation
improvement board forthwith after its annual revision and adoption by the
legislative body of the city. The six-year program for arterial street
construction shall be based upon estimated revenues available for such
construction together with such additional sums as the legislative authority
may request for urban arterials from the urban arterial trust account or the
transportation improvement account for the six-year period. The arterial
street construction program shall provide for a more rapid rate of completion
of the long-range construction needs of principal arterial streets than for
minor and collector arterial streets, pursuant to rules of the transportation
improvement board: PROVIDED, That urban arterial trust funds made available to
the group of incorporated cities lying outside the boundaries of federally
approved urban areas within each region need not be divided between functional
classes of arterials but shall be available for any designated arterial street.))
The six-year plan
for each city or town shall specifically set forth those projects and programs
of regional significance for inclusion in the transportation improvement
program within that region.
(2) Each six-year transportation
program forwarded to the secretary in compliance with subsection (1) of this
section shall contain information as to how a city or town will expend its
moneys, including funds made available pursuant to chapter 47.30 RCW, for ((bicycle,
pedestrian, and equestrian)) nonmotorized transportation purposes.
(3) Each six-year
transportation program forwarded to the secretary in compliance with subsection
(1) of this section shall contain information as to how a city or town shall
act to preserve railroad right-of-way in the event the railroad ceases to
operate in the city's or town's jurisdiction.
Sec. 8. RCW 36.81.121 and 1990
1st ex.s. c 17 s 58 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Before July 1st of
each year, the legislative authority of each county ((with the advice and
assistance of the county road engineer, and pursuant to)), after one
or more public hearings thereon, shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive ((road))
transportation program for the ensuing six calendar years. If the
county has adopted a comprehensive plan pursuant to chapter 35.63 or 36.70 RCW,
the inherent authority of a charter county derived from its charter, or chapter
36.70A RCW, the program shall be consistent with this comprehensive plan.
The program shall
include proposed road and bridge construction work and other transportation
facilities and programs deemed appropriate, and for those counties operating
ferries shall also include a separate section showing proposed capital
expenditures for ferries, docks, and related facilities. Copies of the program
shall be filed with the county road administration board and with the state
secretary of transportation not more than thirty days after its adoption by the
legislative authority. The purpose of this section is to assure that each
county shall perpetually have available advanced plans looking to the future
for not less than six years as a guide in carrying out a coordinated ((road
construction)) transportation program. The program may at any time
be revised by a majority of the legislative authority but only after a public
hearing thereon.
(2) ((The six-year
program of each county having an urban area within its boundaries shall contain
a separate section setting forth the six-year program for arterial road
construction based upon its long-range construction plan and formulated in
accordance with regulations of the transportation improvement board. The six-year
program for arterial road construction shall be submitted to the transportation
improvement board forthwith after its annual revision and adoption by the
legislative authority of each county. The six-year program for arterial road
construction shall be based upon estimated revenues available for such
construction together with such additional sums as the legislative authority of
each county may request for urban arterials from the urban arterial trust
account or the transportation improvement account for the six-year period. The
arterial road construction program shall provide for a more rapid rate of
completion of the long-range construction needs of principal arterial roads
than for minor and collector arterial roads, pursuant to regulations of the
transportation improvement board.
(3))) Each six-year transportation program
forwarded to the secretary in compliance with subsection (1) of this section
shall contain information as to how a county will expend its moneys, including
funds made available pursuant to chapter 47.30 RCW, for ((bicycles,
pedestrians, and equestrian)) nonmotorized transportation purposes.
(3) Each six-year
transportation program forwarded to the secretary in compliance with subsection
(1) of this section shall contain information as to how a county shall act to
preserve railroad right-of-way in the event the railroad ceases to operate in
the county's jurisdiction.
(4) The six-year
plan for each county shall specifically set forth those projects and programs
of regional significance for inclusion in the transportation improvement
program within that region.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
9. The legislative
transportation committee shall coordinate a comprehensive study on the
appropriate relationship between state transportation facilities and local
comprehensive plans. The legislative transportation committee shall appoint
members to a steering committee that shall be comprised of representatives from
the department of transportation, the department of community, trade, and
economic development, regional transportation planning organizations, cities,
counties, and the development community. The study shall, at a minimum,
address:
(1) How state
transportation facilities and services should be addressed in local
comprehensive plans;
(2) Whether state
transportation facilities should be included in local concurrency ordinances
and the effectiveness of current methods provided for in the Growth Management
Act to address concurrency for state transportation facilities;
(3) The long-term
effects on state transportation facilities resulting from the development of
urban growth areas;
(4) The "specific
actions and requirements" adopted by local jurisdictions to bring into
compliance a state transportation facility or service that is below the
established level of service as set forth in RCW 36.70A.070;
(5) The status and
effectiveness of the access management program required by the 1991 legislature
to promote a coordinated planning process for the permitting of access points
on the state highway system;
(6) Appropriate methods
for mitigating land use impacts on state transportation facilities and
services;
(7) An analysis of
funding alternatives including, but not limited to, consideration of state
transportation improvement benefit districts; a state latecomer fee system;
fees related to impacts generated under the State Environmental Policy Act;
impact fees; allocation of state transportation resources; and other
alternatives; and
(8) The appropriate
relationship between state transportation programming and prioritization
systems and level of service deficiencies.
The preliminary study
findings shall be completed no later than December 15, 1994, and the final
report shall be submitted no later than September 1, 1995. The report shall
contain recommendations for improving the coordination of local land use
decisions and state transportation decisions.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
10. Sections 1 through 3 and
5 of this act are each added to chapter 47.80 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
11. Captions used in this act
do not constitute any part of the law.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
12. If any provision of this
act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or
circumstances is not affected.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 13. This act shall take
effect July 1, 1994.
