2019/09/04 Council Agenda Packet

rh Draft Comment Letter to PSRC about the Final Preferred Alternative for Vision 2050 (Aug. 22, 201`9) 7. We appreciate MPP-RC-6 prioritizing regional funding for infrastructure and economic development to designated regional growth centers and MIC's, like Everett. Prioritizing regional funding investment in the regional growth centers will help local jurisdictions create a more favorable environment for the economic investment needed to become successful in attracting the desired shares of population, housing and job growth, especially for jurisdictions that have not been able to achieve the levels of growth anticipated in Vision 2040. 8. Following the adoption of Vision 2050,the subsequent update of the regional transportation plan must prioritize facilities and modes that implement the vision and support growth in regionally designated centers. While Sound Transit may not be ready to talk about expansion of the RTA district boundaries at this time,the 2050 time frame of this update to the RGS and the update to the regional transportation plan should include consideration of how to serve urban growth areas located beyond the current RTA boundaries with the light rail line, at least in Snohomish County. Expanding the high capacity transit system is critical if the assumption that 39%of Snohomish County's future job growth will be in Everett is to be realized. 9. We suggest that the Preferred Alternative include additional policy language regarding coordination between PSRC and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)to ensure that the state transportation plan adequately and comprehensively serves the region's high capacity transportation system and projected job and population growth. 10. As stated in our April 23, 2019 letter, DP-Action-10 should be amended as indicated below to remove the expectation that cleanup of local brownfield properties will necessarily involve countywide planning bodies. Cleanup is typically a local action in coordination with State and/or Federal agencies, not Countywide planning bodies. Identification and Clean-up of Underused Lands:Countywide planning bodies, in cooperation with their cities, Local governments, in cooperation with State and/or federal regulatory agencies,will develop strategies for cleaning up brownfield and contaminated sites. Local jurisdictions should identify underused lands (such as environmentally contaminated and surplus public lands) for future redevelopment or reuse. 11. The strengthened housing policies and actions call for a much-needed regional housing assessment. We appreciate Action items H-Action-1 and H-Action-2, calling for the PSRC to develop guidance for developing local housing targets by type (single-family detached, multi-family, etc.),tenure (owner-occupied, rental), and based on projected household income ranges (relative to Area Median Income for each county). These actions by the PSRC are necessary for individual jurisdictions to identify and plan for adequate land and appropriate housing densities to meet local housing needs. Jim Page 3 of 4 25