Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/833937
major legislation that can consume several weeks. As a result, a fi nal approval can be delayed, sometimes for months, even though a project is ready to go and substantial investments have been made. Allowing local governments to delegate fi nal plat approval to planning directors or other designated authorities will save members weeks and even months of delay in getting on council agendas for fi nal approval in what is largely a pro forma action. BY ALLISON BUTCHER SENIOR POLICY ANALYST MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Legislative Update Governor Signs MBA-Backed Bill to Improve Final Plat Approval Process for Subdivisions O n April 27, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 5674, a top legislative priority of the Master Builders Association. The bill, sponsored by freshman Senator Guy Palumbo, D-Maltby, and Senator Joe Fain, R-Auburn, provides a local option to allow administrative approval of the fi nal plat process. This will provide signifi cant effi ciencies in many jurisdictions where it can take a long time to get a fi nal plat through the legislative process. Final plat approval certifi es that all conditions of preliminary plat approval have been satisfi ed. In larger jurisdictions, legislation to approve fi nal plats is often delayed due to more pressing business before city and county councils, such as budget adoption or other Joining Governor Inslee at the April 27 bill signing are, from L to R: MBA Senior Director of Strategy & Policy Nick Harper, Shannon Lee Aff holter, MBA Executive Director Shannon Aff holter, MBA members Clay White and Mark Villwock of Land Development Consultants Inc., and Senator Guy Palumbo. View more MBA advocacy news as it happens on mbaks.com/advocacy-blog. M aster Builders Association Executive Director Shannon A olter called the new law "a positive step forward for housing aff ordability because it will bring greater effi ciency to the permit process." He continued, saying, "In homebuilding, time is money. Anything that reduces unnecessary delays in the permit process helps to lower another cost pressure on housing." The preliminary plat application provides an opportunity to appeal, so making the fi nal plat approval process administrative will not remove the opportunity for public input. The law goes into eff ect on July 23, meaning the option may be in place locally this fall. Thank you to MBA members Clay White and Mark Villwock of Land Development Consultants Inc. for assisting in the drafting of SB 5674. One of the Master Builders Association's top legislative priorities gets signed into law. This bill will save MBA members weeks and even months of delay in getting on Council agendas. 25 SUMMER 2017 master builder housing advocacy