Washington State

House of Representatives

 

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

 

 

HB 1673

 

Brief Description:  Integrating transportation and land use planning.

 

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Mitchell and Poulsen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

 

$Directs that city and county planning commissions, when developing local comprehensive plans, should integrate transportation and land use planning.

 

 

Hearing Date:  2/20/01

 

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786‑7303).

 

Background: 

 

The Governor and the Legislature created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation in 1998 to:  1) assess the local, regional, and state transportation system; 2) ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; 3) make the system more accountable and predictable; and 4) prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system.  In December 2000 the Commission issued its findings and recommendations. 

 

Recommendation #5 of the commission addressed investment in maintenance, preservation, and improvement of the entire transportation system.  An element of recommendation #5 recommended that use of the transportation system be optimized through jurisdictions integrating transportation and land use planning.  This was suggested to be an effective long-term strategy to reduce both traffic and investment costs by focusing new commercial and multi-family growth in existing downtown, pedestrian, and transit-friendly neighborhoods.

 

Summary of Bill: 

 

City and county planning commissions, in carrying out their duties, should demonstrate how land use planning is integrated with transportation planning.

 

Code cities are required to integrate transportation and land use planning in their development plans.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 2001.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.