1490-S AMH .... MOET 337

SHB 1490 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-2585.4/09) 340

By Representative Nelson

NOT CONSIDERED 4/26/2009

    On page 21, beginning on line 19 of the striking amendment, strike all of section 9 and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 9.  A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Comprehensive plans and development regulations must encourage development at major transit stations at levels that support transit-oriented development.  For purposes of this section, "transit-oriented development" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 36.70A.108.  These plans and regulations must also: (a) Encourage walking, bicycling, and reduced vehicle trips; (b) include design standards for streets, sidewalks, and buildings that encourage safe walking and bicycling; and (c) promote mixed-use and mixed-income developments.

    (2) Comprehensive plans at major transit stations must provide for no net loss of affordable rental housing resulting from demolition or redevelopment, and must provide an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to low-income households.

    (3) For purposes of this section, "major transit station" means any of the following within an urban growth area:

    (a) Stations on a high capacity transportation system approved by the voters and funded or expanded under chapter 81.104 RCW. For purposes of this subsection (3), streetcars or streetcar systems are not considered high capacity transportation systems;

    (b) Stops on rail or fixed guideway systems, including transitways, but excluding stops in a streetcar or commuter rail system;

    (c) Stations on bus rapid transit routes that operate on exclusive rights-of-way for sixty-five percent or more of a route. For purposes of this subsection (3)(c), "exclusive rights-of-way" means a roadway or guideway that exclusively serves bus, rail transit, or both, and is not normally accessible by privately owned or commercial vehicles; and

    (d) Stations on a light rail line that is fewer than two miles in length.

    (4) Nothing in this section modifies or otherwise affects planning or regulatory requirements for: (a) Airports; or (b) major transit stations consisting of park and ride facilities with more than five hundred spaces where redevelopment is limited by large, undevelopable wetlands located within one-quarter mile walking distance of the major transit station.

    (5) This section does not apply to lands: (a) Designated for industrial or manufacturing uses in comprehensive plans or zoning regulations; or (b) upon which stadiums that seat twenty-five thousand or more persons are located."

    On page 27, line 18 of the striking amendment, after "section" strike "9(2)" and insert "9(3)"

    On page 29, line 2 of the striking amendment, after "section" strike "9(2)" and insert "9(3)"

    On page 30, line 26 of the striking amendment, after "section" strike "9(2)" and insert "9(3)"

    On page 32, line 21 of the striking amendment, after "within" strike "one-half mile" and insert "one-quarter mile walking distance"

EFFECT:   (1) Specifies that comprehensive plans and development regulations adopted under the Growth Management Act must encourage development at major transit stations at levels that support transit-oriented development, rather than communities.  (2) Specifies that comprehensive plans at major transit stations must provide for no net loss of affordable rental housing resulting from demolition or redevelopment, and must provide an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to low-income households.  (3) Modifies the definition of "major transit station."  (4) Excludes exemptions pertaining to the comprehensive plan and development regulation requirements.  (5) Specifies that county transit-oriented housing funds must be used for developing qualifying residential development that is located within one-quarter mile, rather than one-half mile, of a major transit stop.  (6) Makes technical changes.

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