Project Briefs
Washington State Department of Community Trade & Economic Development (CTED)
Critical Areas Ordinance Implementation Guidebook for Small Cities and Towns
BHC was selected in 2006 to create a “toolkit” of information, techniques, and procedures that can be used by small Washington jurisdictions to regulate development in or near identified critical areas.
Critical Areas Guidebook
BHC prepared model regulations for city and county governments to use in updating their current regulations to meet GMA requirements. The sample regulations were developed integrating best available science provisions for protecting wetlands; fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; geologically hazardous areas; frequently flooded areas; and aquifer recharge areas. As a part of this project, BHC also adapted the Department of Ecology's model wetlands ordinance to the model critical areas ordinance format to ensure consistency between the two. The model is designed to accommodate the needs of communities in all areas of the state. In response to concerns from local jurisdictions that the model could be interpreted as a mandate, BHC worked with CTED to prepare a critical areas guidebook with general direction on how to develop a critical areas ordinance explaining how the model language can be adapted to each jurisdiction’s needs.
Model Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Element
BHC was a member of the consulting team that prepared a guidebook for use by local governments in drafting optional comprehensive plan elements addressing natural hazard mitigation. Guidelines were drafted to aid in linking mandatory GMA plan element provisions to appropriate methods for incorporating hazard avoidance and mitigation within the GMA framework.
Transportation Element Guidebook
As part of the technical assistance program for CTED, BHC developed a guidebook for developing a transportation element that meets the requirements of the Growth Management Act. “Your Community's Transportation System - A Transportation Element Guidebook" includes a section on how to develop the transportation element goals and policies to support the close relationship between land use and transportation as articulated in the GMA. The guide also provides technical assistance information for planning staffs with limited transportation planning experience. BHC presented the guidebook at a workshop held in conjunction with the Washington State APA Conference. The guidebook received an Award of Merit from the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Intergovernmental Coordination Brief
As part of the technical assistance program for CTED, BHC prepared a brief entitled, “Working Together - A Guide to Inter-governmental Coordination Under the Growth Management Act.” The brief outlined coordination approaches, the requirements of the Growth Management Act, and a matrix of entities that need to be involved in the planning process.
Urban Growth Areas Workbook
BHC developed a one-day short course and workbook on policies and procedures for the designation of urban growth areas under the Washington Growth Management Act. The course was presented to local planners in Eastern and Western Washington.
Critical Areas Ordinance, City of Sammamish, WA
BHC prepared an update to the City’s critical area regulations that dealt primarily with meeting the best available science requirement. We led a team consisting of planners, geologists, and habitat experts. The assignment was “fast-tracked” to meet the City’s mandate imposed by the State Growth Management Hearings Board. This included the BAS analysis, public outreach, facilitation of the advisory committee, and drafts for Planning Commission and City Council review and adoption – all within four months. A folio of maps showing critical areas within the city were prepared for the City’s GIS system.
Town Center EIS - City of Mill Creek, WA
BHC was a member of the consultant team responsible for the environmental review of a proposed major mixed-use public/private development, which is intended to create a new "downtown" for the City of Mill Creek. The consulting team was responsible for the coordination of technical studies and production of a programmatic EIS which provided for project-level permitting of a phased development under a master plan which was prepared jointly by the city and property owners.
Industrial Park Master Plan and EIS, City of Sultan, WA
The City of Sultan, in cooperation with property owners, is implementing a planned mixed-use community covering several hundred acres of land along SR 2. Initially, BHC assisted the stakeholders in forming a local improvement district to provide sanitary sewer service to the area. This led to a two-year process working with the stakeholders to prepare a master plan for economic development. The process involved market analysis, site capacity analysis, development regulations, and capital improvement plans. An EIS for buildout of the area was prepared to create environmental thresholds that will enable the city to permit developments as "planned actions" under SEPA. We are continuing to assist the City in implementation by drafting procedures for binding site plan approvals, development agreements, and permit streamlining. The project has received recognition by the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Association of Washington Cities for its quality, was awarded a certificate of achievement by the Association of Washington Cities in 2003, and was selected by the APA/PAW Planning Awards program as an Honor Award winner for 2003.
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