AN ACT Relating to affordable housing; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there exists a national and state problem due to the lack of affordability of housing. Many factors influence the cost and affordability of housing, including: (1) The national and state economies; (2) interest rates; (3) the cost and availability of land; (4) the cost of materials and labor; (5) market pressures; and (6) local regulatory and administrative practices. The lack of affordable housing not only affects the poor, but it also adversely affects middle-income persons, the business environment in the state, and both prospective renters and owners of housing.

The legislature also finds that local government regulations and practices have important health and safety functions, help maintain neighborhood autonomy, and protect against inappropriate land uses. However, some regulations regarding land development and some administrative practices may increase the cost of housing without providing a reasonable benefit to the community in such areas as health and safety.

The legislature further finds that the development of a model streamlined land development administrative process and model development regulations may assist local governments in regulating and administering land development without unduly and negatively affecting the affordability of housing.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the department of community development.

(2) "Director" means the director of the department of community development.

(3) "Local governing body" means a legislative body of a county, city, or town in the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department shall develop and publish a model ordinance and model procedures that may be used by local governing bodies for administering the regulations on the development of land. The ordinance and procedures shall provide for, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(1) The use of a single consolidated application form for use by all local governing bodies having jurisdiction to review and approve such development;

(2) Coordination of staff review and communications between staff and applicants for permission or permits for land development;

(3) The elimination of separate public hearings by review agencies whenever possible and if requested by the applicant;

(4) Timeframes for review and response to applications and other duties regarding administration of regulations on land development, and the concurrent running of all applicable time limits for decisions; and

(5) Consolidated inspections, if possible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The department shall also develop and publish a model ordinance regulating the development of land which may be used by local governing bodies to assist in the regulation and administration of the development of land. The ordinance shall provide for, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Subdivisions;

(2) Land use;

(3) Flexibility for the developer;

(4) Health and safety guidelines;

(5) Flexibility to allow local neighborhoods to maintain a reasonable amount of autonomy; and

(6) The avoidance of excessive regulation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department shall, in developing ordinances as described in sections 2 and 3 of this act, solicit input from local governing bodies, planners, developers, and state and federal agencies. This input shall include, but shall not be limited to: (1) The review of existing development ordinances and procedures; (2) review of current federal, state, and local land development practices and regulations; and (3) the review of current model ordinances and regulations suggested by governmental agencies, private associations, or other persons, groups, or businesses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) The director shall appoint an advisory committee on affordable housing. This affordable housing advisory committee shall be a subcommittee of any state housing advisory committee that the department may create. If a state housing advisory committee is not created by the department, the affordable housing advisory committee shall terminate no later than December 31, 1990, unless extended by law.

(2) The affordable housing advisory committee shall assist the department in carrying out this chapter, and shall give advice to the department on matters dealing with affordable housing.

(3) The affordable housing advisory committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) Two representatives of cities, one of whom shall be an elected official;

(b) Two representatives of counties, one of whom shall be an elected official;

(d) Two representatives of private land developers;

(e) One representative of realtors;

(f) One representative of planners;

(g) Two at-large members to be appointed by the director; and

(h) The director or the director's representative.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The department shall provide technical assistance and training to local governing bodies in the development and implementation of development ordinances or administration of local land development regulations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This chapter may be cited as the affordable housing act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 8 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of community development for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. 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.