The central Puget Sound region has benefited immensely from having a pioneering growth, economic, and transportation strategy in place since 1990. But what's next? What do we need to do to ensure an economically and environmentally sound future?

Experts and stakeholders involved in economic and environmental issues came from all corners of the region to join the discussion to help answer these questions as we update VISION 2020.

Mary McCumber opened the workshop by introducing Bob Drewel, who is already hard at work in his new role as the incoming Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council. She challenged the region to further work to implement the excellent plans already in place, to set priorities within the transportation plans, and to form regional agreement on an economic development strategy.

Renowned urban design expert and columnist Mark Hinshaw provided his insights on the accomplishments of the last decade, saying, "I used to have to show pictures of other region's in my slide shows, but these days the most innovative things are happening here." But Hinshaw noted serious issues that will need to be dealt with in the future, including public health implications of some development patterns, the needs and desires of growing demographic groups such as singles, single parents, seniors, and starter families, as well as the problems surrounding level of service standards on the region's roads.

Michael Luis, who moderated the panel discussion on the economy, encouraged participants to engage in "forward living." Panelists Sue Carlson, Ron Sher, Tayloe Washburn, and Juli Wilkerson echoed the need to be focused, create partnerships, and streamline processes.

Environmental panel moderator Tim Trohimovich and panelists Thomas Holz, Elaine Somers, and Gail Twelves emphasized the need to "do no harm," illustrated ideas for zero impact development, and called for addressing the environment more comprehensively before development occurs and as we create long-range regional plans, rather than only as projects are developed.

The high point of the day occurred when participants broke up into over a dozen small groups to discuss the issues, generating over 300 written comments and providing a free flow of ideas. All comments received during the scoping process of will be used to finalize the scope of the update. For more information, contact Norman Abbott at (206) 464-7134 or nabbott@psrc.org. Or check out the VISION 2020 Update section on psrc.org.

More than 45 newly elected local officials from all around the region gathered in early December at the University of Washington to learn more about regional issues and how to get involved in regional decision-making.

The workshop, Regional Connections for Local Leaders, explored the current state of the region and the roles and responsibilities of three regional agencies -- the Puget Sound Regional Council, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Sound Transit.

The new electeds peppered veteran elected officials with questions during a lively session with Executive John Ladenburg, Council-member Bill Evans, Executive Ron Sims, and Executive Bob Drewel. The agency directors, Mary McCumber, Dennis McLerran and Joni Earl, also joined the veterans.

Workshop participants had an opportunity to express their views on regional issues during an interactive polling session with Stuart Elway. The new electeds' responses were compared with those of elected officials already in office. The results showed the newly elected officials to be somewhat more concerned about the current and future state of the region's economy, transportation system and quality of life.

When asked what they felt would be most significant 10 years from now, the issues that rose to the top were affordable housing, transportation, public education, and the economy. Crime wasn't seen as significant by the group of newly elected officials, a noticeable change from 10 years ago, Elway said.

This graph provides a snapshot of the interactive polling session facilitated by Stuart Elway. It is the result of a series of questions in which new electeds were asked if an isue had become more or less significant to them in the past year.

The Puget Sound Regional Council, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Sound Transit sponsored the workshop, in conjunction with the Cascade Center for Public Service at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. For more information, contact Michele Leslie at (206) 587-4819.

Members of the Regional Council are being asked to appoint their representatives and alternates to the Executive Board and Operations Committee this month. A letter requesting appointments was mailed to member jurisdictions the first week of January.

The 26-member Executive Board makes important decisions on transportation funding, growth planning, and other responsibilities of the Regional Council between meetings of the General Assembly. The Operations Committee, composed of 10 members selected from the Executive Board, reviews and makes recommendations to the Executive Board on the budget and work program, and on contracts and other financial and personnel issues.

In addition, it is time to seek appointments to the Economic Development District (EDD) Board. The EDD became part of the Regional Council in March 2003. The appointments will form a new EDD Board that is called for in Bylaw changes that were adopted by the previous Board in September 2003.

Appointments and/or reappointments are due by January 14 for the Executive Board and January 23 for the EDD Board. For a listing of the current representatives on the Executive Board and Operations Committee, or for other information, call Sylvia Nelson at 206-464-7518.

Bob Drewel Begins Work as the New Executive Director of Puget Sound Regional Council
Mary McCumber thanks a crowd of friends, family and regional colleagues gathered in Seattle's Pioneer Square to celebrate Mary's remarkable career and wish great things for her future.	Seattle City Councilmember and PSRC President Richard McIver and new PSRC Executive Director Bob Drewel

Regional Residential Development Holds Steady Due to an Increase in Single Family Permitting

Overall levels of permitted new residential development in the central Puget Sound region remained stable from 2001 to 2002, but development trends varied substantially by structure type. Affordable mortgage and refinancing rates, generated by record low interest rates not seen since the early 1970s, contributed to the sustainability and strength of the housing market in the face of a weak economy. Single family permitting levels increased by 15.3 percent from 12,200 units in 2001 to a total of 14,000 authorized units in 2002. This increase offset a notable decline in multifamily development. Multifamily permitting levels decreased 20 percent from 11,300 units in 2001 to 9,000 units in 2002. Mobile home permitting also declined in 2002, dropping 29 percent from 1,000 units in 2001 to 700 units in 2002.

The single family permitting level has remained relatively stable in the last decade, but the multifamily housing sector has fluctuated in response to market conditions and demands. The early nineties were marked by a slow regional housing market characterized by lower levels of multifamily development. A net average of 6,100 multifamily units were permitted per year from 1991-1995. Average levels rose from 1996-2000 to 11,300 net units per year. Despite the recent decline in multifamily development in the last two years, permitting levels still remain well above the levels seen in the slowdown of the early nineties.

From 2001 to 2002 there was some variation between permitting trends in each of the four central Puget Sound counties. Net total development remained level in King County, increased by 6 percent in Kitsap County, but declined by 8 percent in Pierce County, and by 7 percent in Snohomish County (Table 1).

The full version of this Trend is available online at psrc.org or from the Information Center, (206) 464-7532 or infoctr@psrc.org. For more information about this Trend, please contact Leslie Batten at (206) 464-7079 or lbatten@psrc.org.

206-464-7532 - FAX 206-587-4825 - infoctr@psrc.org

Servicios de Traduccion Disponible: 206-587-5062.

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