H-3901.1          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 2347

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Rust, R. Fisher, Wolfe, Scheuerman, Scott, Ogden, Dickerson, Chopp, H. Sommers, Mason, Linville and Murray

 

Read first time 01/10/96.  Referred to Committee on Government Operations.

 

Providing for innovative land use management techniques.



     AN ACT Relating to innovative land use management techniques; and amending RCW 36.70A.090 and 36.70A.190.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     Sec. 1.  RCW 36.70A.090 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

     A comprehensive plan should provide for innovative land use management techniques, including, but not limited to, the following:

     (1) Traditional land use techniques, such as conditional use permits and variances; and

     (2) Newer land use techniques, such as:  (a) Density bonuses((, cluster)); (b) clustering of housing((,)); (c) planned unit developments((,)); (d) density transfers to the same lot or commonly owned lots that are adjacently located; (e) contract zoning; (f) development agreements; (g) new fully contained communities; (h) master planned resorts; (i) design guidelines; (j) programs to acquire conservation futures or easements; and (k) the transfer of development rights.

 

     Sec. 2.  RCW 36.70A.190 and 1991 sp.s. c 32 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) 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.

     (2) 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.

     (3) 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.

     (4) The department shall establish a program of technical assistance:

     (a) 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))

     (b) 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; and

     (c) Developing model ordinances for counties and cities to consider in complying with the requirements of this chapter, including but not limited to model ordinances providing for newer innovative land use techniques described in RCW 36.70A.090 and rural elements that provide for a variety of rural densities and uses.

     (5) 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.

     (6) The department shall provide planning grants to enhance citizen participation under RCW 36.70A.140.

 


                                    --- END ---