BILL REQ. #:  H-4038.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/07/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to improving public transit through the creation of transit service overlay zones; amending RCW 47.80.023 and 36.70A.080; adding a new section to chapter 47.80 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds and declares that the transit service overlay zone describes a concept for subregional collaborations between municipalities and transit agencies to better link transit and land use decision making and planning.
     The legislature further finds that this process is intended to provide sufficient incentives and remove enough barriers to stimulate transit supportive development in proximity to a set of core, high frequency bus transit corridors. The process also helps better prioritize the allocation of new transit agency service hours, as well as ensure the reliability and productivity of existing higher capacity bus transit by engaging land use authorities in local corridor planning processes.
     To be eligible for the transit service overlay zone program, a corridor must meet an agreed upon set of criteria, including a minimum housing unit density within walking distance to the corridor and frequent all-day, two direction bus service. A transit service overlay zone corridor must also connect to high density employment/population centers, as well as to other destinations along the corridor to allow for other nonwork trips to occur.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 47.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Each regional transportation planning organization may establish eligibility criteria for cities, counties, and transit agencies to enact transit service overlay zones. The eligibility criteria must include:
     (a) Frequent all-day, two direction bus service or inclusion in a transit agency's long-range plan for frequent all-day, two direction bus service;
     (b) A minimum existing or planned housing unit and employment density within walking distance to the corridor;
     (c) A requirement for connecting high density employment and population centers; and
     (d) Design criteria applicable to appropriate portions of the transit service overlay zone that assist with the provision of transit service.
     (2) Cities, counties, and transit agencies may establish transit service overlay zones through an interlocal agreement under chapter 39.34 RCW that meets the eligibility criteria established by the local regional transportation planning organization, as determined by the local regional transportation planning organization.

Sec. 3   RCW 47.80.023 and 2009 c 515 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:
     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 countywide 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 RCW 47.80.026, 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 countywide 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, and any recommended programs or projects identified by the agency council on coordinated transportation, as provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, that advance special needs coordinated transportation as defined in RCW 47.06B.012. 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) Include specific opportunities and projects to advance special needs coordinated transportation, as defined in RCW 47.06B.012, in the coordinated transit-human services transportation plan, after providing opportunity for public comment.
     (7) 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.
     (8) Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties planning under chapter 36.70A RCW to promote a consistent regional evaluation of transportation facilities and corridors.
     (9) Work with cities, counties, transit agencies, the department of transportation, and others to develop level of service standards or alternative transportation performance measures.
     (10) Submit to the agency council on coordinated transportation, as provided in chapter 47.06B RCW, beginning on July 1, 2007, and every four years thereafter, an updated plan that includes the elements identified by the council. Each regional transportation planning organization must submit to the council every two years a prioritized regional human service and transportation project list.
     (11) Work with interested cities, counties, transit agencies, the department of transportation, and others to develop transit service overlay zones as prescribed in section 2 of this act.

Sec. 4   RCW 36.70A.080 and 2011 c 318 s 801 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A comprehensive plan may include additional elements, items, or studies dealing with other subjects relating to the physical development within its jurisdiction, including, but not limited to:
     (a) Conservation;
     (b) Solar energy; ((and))
     (c) Recreation; and
     (d) Transit service overlay zones, as prescribed in section 2 of this act.
     (2) A comprehensive plan may include, where appropriate, subarea plans, each of which is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
     (3)(a) Cities that qualify as a receiving city may adopt a comprehensive plan element and associated development regulations that apply within receiving areas under chapter 39.108 RCW.
     (b) For purposes of this subsection, the terms "receiving city" and "receiving area" have the same meanings as provided in RCW 39.108.010.