Resolution 6396 - Laserfiche WebLink

Page 3 of 19 deliberate effort to curb sprawl and protect rural and resource lands from urban development. Existing cities will grow through redevelopment and infill,creating communities that are more compact, more diversified in their use of land, and more able to support transit and alternatives to driving alone. • Coordinate Policies and Leverage Investment. Regional policies in VISION 2040 prioritize investments for transportation,other infrastructure, and economic development, in centers that are designated to support both population and employment growth. These policies encourage collaboration with governments at all levels, as well as with tribal governments in the region. There is also policy direction to explore both existing and new sources of funding to identify ways in which local governments and other agencies in the region might leverage the financing needed for the infrastructure and services. • Value Communities and Neighborhoods. VISION 2040 places priority on preserving and enhancing existing neighborhoods, as well as creating vibrant and sustainable compact urban communities that offer mobility, housing, and shopping choices that reduce the need for automobile travel.The strategy supports the transformation of key underutilized lands to higher density walkable neighborhoods that are safe and promote active living. THE PROBLEM AND NEED:STEPPING UP TO IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES Despite this strong sustainable development planning framework,the region is challenged to effectively implement many aspects of its vision. A fast growing region,the central Puget Sound metropolitan area expects an additional 1.5 million residents over the next 30 years. With nearly 90 separate jurisdictions with land use and transportation implementation authority,six different transit agencies, and a long, linear urban form constrained by geography, it has been challenging to effectively coordinate decision-making about growth, and identify immediate local priorities across jurisdictional lines. Consequently,there is work to do. Regional researchers and institutions agree:to create the sustainable,equitable communities envisioned in its plans, barriers to transit-oriented development and concentrated growth in regional transit station areas must be overcome.4. 4 See,Transit-Oriented Communities:A Blueprint for Washington State,Futurewise/GGLO/TCC,2009:http://futurewise.orq/priorities/toc;From Barriers to Solutions and Best Practices: Urban Centers and TOD in Washington,Quality Growth Alliance,2009:http:llwww.qualitygrowthalliance.orq/?p=24;The Cascade Agenda,Cascade Land Conservancy,2005: http://cascadeagenda.conn/;Puget Sound Action Agenda,Puget Sound Partnership,2008:http:/Iwww.psp.wa.govl Page 3 Cooperative Agreement Instrument No.WARIP0042-10