February 1, 2018

Recommendation on Regional Centers Framework Update

The Growth Management Policy Board recommended the Regional Centers Framework Update to the Executive Board.  The recommended framework outlines a revised structure and criteria for regional and countywide centers and direction to update policies and procedures for center planning.

The growth board discussed and voted on amendments to the proposed framework. The amendments adopted by the board included clarifications to planning requirements, revised standards for countywide centers, and a work plan item on identifying funding for military installations.

The Executive Board will hear a briefing on the board recommendation on February 22 and is scheduled to take action in March.

For more information, contact Liz Underwood Bultmann at 206-464-6174 or lunderwood-bultmann@psrc.org.     

Regional Open Space Conservation Plan

The Growth Management Policy Board was briefed on the draft Regional Open Space Conservation Plan. The plan aims to accelerate conservation of open space in the region by integrating and building on existing efforts across sectors, across agencies, and across jurisdictions. The draft plan is available for review on the PSRC website. Feedback is encouraged by March 8, 2018. The plan will be finalized this summer.
 
For more information, contact Erika Harris at 206-464-6360, eharris@psrc.org, or Maria Sandercock, at 206-971-3298, msandercock@psrc.org.

Plan certifications for Bonney Lake and Orting

The Growth Management Policy Board recommended full certification of the comprehensive plans for Bonney Lake and Orting. The plans had been conditionally certified in 2015 and 2016. Since then, the cities have amended their plans to address conditions for full certification. The growth board found that the plans are now fully consistent with regional policies and conform to the Growth Management Act requirements for transportation planning.  
 
For more information, contact Michael Hubner at 206-971-3289 or mhubner@psrc.org, or Laura Benjamin at lbenjamin@psrc.org or 206-464-7134.

Extending Conditional Certification for Puyallup Comprehensive Plan

The Growth Management Policy Board recommended extending the conditional certification deadline for Puyallup's comprehensive plan to December 2018. Puyallup has adopted amendments to partially address conditions for certification. Given the work already completed and planned for 2018, the city expects to resolve any remaining concerns with the plan within the next year.

For more information, contact Michael Hubner at 206-464-6179 or mhubner@psrc.org, or Liz Underwood-Bultmann at 206-971-3289 or lunderwood-bultmann@psrc.org.