Regional Planning Issues under Comprehensive Statewide Growth Management Proguram

An Implementation Review and Lessons from Growth Management Hearings Boards' Review in Washington State

Abstract

The Washington Growth Management Act (GMA) showed substantive changes in local government land use decision-making in the State of Washington. The Act requires local governments to adopt a comprehensive land use plan to guide development consistent with not only the goals but development regulations. The GMA established a new administrative body and appeal process for local land use planning decisions with the creation of Growth Management Hearings Boards (GMHB). This writing primarily focuses on GMHBs final orders for the petitions brought by various planning bodies and citizens to examine implications and lessons for regional planning.