2000
Plan transmitted to council
 his
year marks the 10-year anniversary of Washington State's Growth Management Act,
or GMA. It also marks the first major revision to King County's 1994 Comprehensive
Plan, developed to comply with the GMA. County Executive Ron Sims transmitted
his recommended revision to the 1996 plan, usually called the 2000 Plan, to the
County Council March 1.
The 2000 Plan advances
the major themes of the Executive's Smart Growth Initiative--creating livable communities,
linking land use and transportation, maintaining our rural legacy and protecting
the environment. Sims has stated his goals in managing regional growth are to
keep rural areas rural, guide growth into urban areas where facilities and services
already exist and uphold the existing urban growth area boundary.
The 1996 consolidation
of King County and Metro launched the development of a new regional transportation
role for King County. The policies in the 2000 Plan support a vision for the future
with the county continuing its role as the countywide public transportation service
provider. The plan update is the result of an almost two-year process by county
staff and management that included many public meetings and community workshops.
The county's Comprehensive
Plan provides the legal framework and guidance for making decisions about county
responsibilities, including land use, environment, parks and recreation, public
utilities and transportation.
In announcing his
recommended 2000 Plan, Sims stated, "The plan will put into law critically important
coordinated measures that will help us further manage land use and transportation
in a thorough, well-thought-out growth management plan that will retain and enhance
the quality of life in King County and the region."
The council will
review the executive's plan over the next four months. Adoption is expected this
fall. For a detailed look at the plan, check out www.metrokc.gov/exec.
For more information about the transportation element, contact Sue Osterhoudt,
transportation planner, at (206) 263-4707 or e-mail her at sue.osterhoudt@metrokc.gov.
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