Issue link: https://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/1479050
L ocal jurisdictions are gearing up for the 2024–2044 periodic update of their local comprehensive plans required by the Growth Management Act and due December 2024. The periodic update is an important opportunity for MBAKS and members to engage in discussions with jurisdictions on how they plan to accommodate population and employment growth for the next 20 years. Helpful to MBAKS members is the new State requirement (HB 1220) to identify and plan for a variety of housing types, for all economic segments of the community, with more specificity than in previous updates. Through our engagement, MBAKS will emphasize an approach that encourages jurisdictions to look at all MBAKS Ramps Up Advocacy on Local Comprehensive Plans BY ALLISON BUTCHER SENIOR POLICY ANALYST MBAKS Get involved at mbaks.com/advocacy comprehensive planning policies through a housing lens to understand and limit the potential for unintended consequences. MBAKS' 2022 Board President Cameron McKinnon discussed the importance of this effort in an op-ed published in The Seattle Times on August 7. In his piece, McKinnon said, "The comprehensive plan update process that is now underway provides an opportunity to be thoughtful, and set in motion important long-term planning for more housing choices as cities and counties prepare for the future." To ensure new and revised policies assist with solving the housing crisis, MBAKS is urging cities and counties to consider the following questions as they draft and review updates to their local comprehensive plans: • How will the proposed new or revised policy be implemented? • Could the implementation of the new or revised policy require additional applications, fees, or studies for housing projects? • Could the implementation of the policy require additional internal review processes for permit applications? Could this increase the overall time to review permit applications for housing? • Could the proposed new or revised policy increase the cost to build and provide housing by increasing requirements related to housing projects? Special thanks to MBAKS Board Member Clay White of LDC Inc. for his guidance and expertise in long-range planning and efforts on this project. MBAKS will emphasize an approach that encourages jurisdictions to look at all comprehensive planning policies through a housing lens to understand and limit the potential for unintended consequences. 54 master BUILDER | FALL 2022 HOUSING ADVOCACY