September 6, 2018
Developing growth scenarios for VISION 2050

As the region prepares to extend VISION to 2050, what changes should be made to the existing Regional Growth Strategy?

That question was the focus of the Growth Management Policy Board’s work session on September 6. The board discussed overall objectives for the growth strategy, potential changes to regional geographies, and different growth scenarios that could be used for environmental review. 

The Regional Growth Strategy provides numeric guidance for planning for population, housing, and employment growth in countywide targets and local comprehensive plans. It establishes growth guidance for different types of regional geographies such as metropolitan cities, rural and resource lands, and other categories.

Growth board members discussed proposed changes to regional geographies in VISION 2050. These could include differentiating current Small and Larger cities by existing and planned high-capacity transit, as well as identifying unincorporated urban areas with high-quality transit service. Another change would recognize major military installations.

The board reviewed preliminary growth scenarios and got an early look at the kinds of screening factors that would be used to evaluate the growth alternatives. In breakout groups, board members discussed jobs-housing balance and growth goals for transit stations.

This fall staff will continue to develop the growth scenario concepts based on input from the board, conduct additional modeling, and produce a background paper on the Regional Growth Strategy. On November 1, the growth board is expected to decide on two or three growth scenarios that will be used as alternatives for environmental analysis. View the presentation or watch the discussion at the meeting. 

For more information, contact Paul Inghram at 206-464-7549 or PInghram@psrc.org .

To learn more, visit the VISION 2050 website