Puget Sound Regional Council                                       psrc.org
  Regional Coordination     at work
  Transportation Policy Board and Growth Management Policy Board
 
              November 10, 2005

Transportation Policy Board Chair Julia Patterson named Councilmember Brenda Stonecipher, Everett, to serve as vice chair of the policy board.

Chair Patterson also welcomed Jessyn Schor, Transportation Choices Coalition, as a new member of the policy board.

For more information, contact Charlie Howard at 206-464-7122, email choward@psrc.org.


Transportation Policy Board members discussed recommendations to the 2006 Legislature.

Board members reviewed the previous year's recommendations and began developing a list of possible topics for 2006. In December, the policy board will consider a set of recommendations to forward to the PSRC Executive Board.

For more information, contact Charlie Howard at 206-464-7122, email choward@psrc.org.


Transportation Policy Board members heard a report on the timing of the next round of PSRC funding.

Charlie Howard, PSRC transportation planning director, told board members that staff is working through the details of SAFETEA-LU, the new federal transportation law, to determine the funding amount available to the region in 2006. The new round of PSRC funding will likely be announced in February 2006.

For more information, contact Karen Richter at 206-464-6343, email krichter@psrc.org.


The Transportation Policy Board heard a report on health, environment and environmental justice, as part of the Destination 2030 update.

Issues important to the update of the plan include:

  • New air quality emphasis, including greenhouse gases and air toxics
  • Health and active living -- the relationship between our built environment, how we travel and our health
  • Stormwater control and its integration with new and existing transportation projects
  • Analysis of environment justice data such as location of minority populations and populations of poverty to ensure fair and equitable transportation investments

    For a copy of the presentation, contact the PSRC Information Center at (206) 464-7532, infoctr@psrc.org.


    The Transportation Policy Board heard a report on transportation finance as part of the Destination 2030 update.

    The presentation reviewed methods used to develop regional transportation revenue projections and cost estimates, and described historical revenue trends for transportation.

    For a copy of the presentation, contact the PSRC Information Center at (206) 464-7532, infoctr@psrc.org.


    In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:

  • Recommended adopting an amendment to the regional Transportation Improvement Program containing seven projects sponsored by the Washington State Department of Transportation.
  • Recommended certification of the 2004 comprehensive plan amendments for Mukilteo.
  • Recommended certification of the 2004 comprehensive plan update for Stanwood.
  • Recommended minor amendments to the Destination 2030 plan, refining projects sponsored by Kitsap County, Tacoma, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
  • Recommended changing the project status for the Bethel Road SE project in Kitsap County from Candidate to Approved.


    The Growth Management Policy Board recommended certification of 2004 Comprehensive Plan amendments for Mukilteo and the 2004 Comprehensive Plan update for Stanwood.

    The City of Mukilteo has amended their plan to articulate level of service standards and concurrency policy, addressed measures to accommodate growth, and updated the citywide transportation analysis. The City of Stanwood's update meets the provisions and requirements of the Growth Management Act and is consistent with Destination 2030, the region's long range transportation plan.

    For more information, contact Yorik Stevens-Wajda at 206-389-2158 or ystevens@psrc.org.


    The Growth Management Policy Board reviewed the VISION 2020+20 Public Involvement Plan.

    The Public Involvement Plan outlines the steps PSRC will take to solicit, gather and analyze meaningful input from a wide cross-section of the public, agencies, public officials, jurisdictions, and Tribal Governments. Outreach will provide opportunities for broad public participation and comment. It will include public meetings, workshops, publications, and presentations.

    For more information, contact Ben Bakkenta at 206-464-5372 or bbakkenta@psrc.org.


    The Growth Management Policy Board reviewed revisions to the VISION 2020+20 economic issue paper.

    Staff reported back to the Board regarding recommendations they had made in the previous months for revising the paper. Key revisions include recognition of culture, history, and regional character as an economic driver; sustainability issues, inclusion of telecommunications in infrastructure discussions, and support for collaboration with the rest of the state. The purpose of the paper is to link the Prosperity Partnership's Regional Economic Strategy and the update of VISION 2020 and discuss how the VISION can be used to help implement the strategy. The Economic Development District is scheduled to take action to proceed on this paper at its November meeting.

    For more information, contact Ivan Miller at (206) 464-7549, imiller@psrc.org.


    The Growth Management Policy Board reviewed recently compiled data on the job-housing balance.

    The board discussed the potential benefits to having a balance between jobs and housing (as well as types of jobs and types of housing), including reduced commute distances, travel times, and commute costs, reduced congestion, improved air quality, and reduced infrastructure costs. Members also discussed the complexities to defining and implementing a more balanced system.

    For more information, contact Carol Naito at 206-464-7535 or cnaito@psrc.org.


    The Growth Management Policy Board was introduced to an informational paper on appropriate urban densities.

    The board welcomed Joe Tovar, who presented his research on the issue of appropriate urban densities. The board discussed relevant statutory provisions established by the Growth Management Hearings Board and potential assistance PSRC could provide local jurisdictions on this issue within the VISION 2020 update.

    For more information, contact Norman Abbott at 206-464-7134 or nabbott@psrc.org.