On October 2, 2018, we took to social media to discuss the benefits of more flexible accessory dwelling unit (ADU) rules and various cottage housing ordinances throughout our two-county region.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) analyzing three alternatives and Council’s preferred alternative for adopting a proposed Attached Accessory Dwelling Unit (AADU) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) ordinance, was released on October 4, with a determination of no significant impact.

The process is estimated to wrap up in February or March 2019. We are seeking slightly more time to work through these complicated and delicate issues together to arrive at the best ordinance.

At the September 5 Planning Land Use and Zoning Committee (PLUZ), Councilmember Rob Johnson announced there would be no action on proposed amendments to the ordinance until the end of 2018 or the first part of 2019, citing too many remaining gaps.

As the four-county Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) prepares to update Vision 2040 to Vision 2050 (a “once-a decade” process) the focus is on what changes should be made to the existing Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). Counties and cities work together to decide where (and how much) growth should go to different “regional geographies."

This measure includes a proposal to restructure the comprehensive planning from an eight-year cycle to every four years, consolidating various county departments into one—Department of Local Service—and an increased focus on subarea planning.

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) recently shared new population numbers, which show the four-county region (King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counites) added 67,860 people in the past year, the third highest single-year increase in the past two decades.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is scheduled to release its first updated guidance related to buildable lands reports December 1 of this year. Draft guidance may be available for review by stakeholders as early as August.

On Wednesday, Aug. 22, the Everett City Council unanimously adopted an important Condominium Resolution encouraging state legislative action on condominium liability reform.

On Monday, Aug. 6, the Snohomish County Council passed an MBAKS-promoted resolution asking for state legislative action on condominium liability reform.

The Army Corps of Engineers recently hosted MBAKS members to discuss best practices and coordination opportunities relative to tribal Section 106 permits. Members also had the opportunity to visit directly with nine new Corps project managers in the Seattle District office.

Your association has worked with the city to maximize the intended benefits in the downtown upzone. City staff has held multiple developer forums and been very responsive to feedback.

n August 9, the Washington State Supreme Court favorably ruled in the matter of Maytown Sand and Gravel v. Thurston County. An unfavorable ruling could have meant that a land use permit applicant would have to file a LUPA appeal on their own project as a prerequisite for a tort claim, even where the property owner was not adversely affected by the land use decision itself.

The Covington City Council has adopted Kent School District’s updated Capital Facilities Plan and fee schedule for 2019, with an increase of 3.1% in school impact fees.

Puget Sound Energy has revised its electric line extension costs and margin allowance amounts, effective Nov. 1, 2018. The changes will not affect projects with agreements in place or under construction prior to Nov. 1.

On Monday, June 4, Alderwood Water & Wastewater District (AWWD) Commissioners adopted staff-proposed flat rate increases. Your association worked with staff to amend the previously proposed, significantly higher 1” fee.

The first-of-its-kind ordinance is intended to address skyrocketing impact fee rates that have made financing and feasibility for development projects extremely problematic.

This week, the Snohomish County Planning Commission held a public hearing on an update to the County’s park impact fee program and the related capital facilities plan.

Youthworks is a collaboration between Workforce Snohomish, Snohomish STEM, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Everett Community College, Cocoon House, and WorkSource. Businesses can post job openings immediately.