'Fully Contained Communities' Spark Comprehensive Plan Debate

"The state Growth Management Act generally requires urban-density development to be channeled into the urban-growth areas designated around existing cities."

"But the law also allows counties to approve huge developments, called 'fully contained communities,' where in theory residents would live, work, shop and play without significantly affecting the surrounding areas."

"Next year, the council will consider changes to its comprehensive plan, and Somers wants to permanently nix the communities."

"If he retains the support of Sullivan and Cooper, the Lake Roesiger debate could be moot."

"That would please the Puget Sound Regional Council's executive board. Three weeks ago, the board endorsed Vision 2040, a regional planning strategy that includes a new goal: Counties should avoid creating fully contained communities 'because of their potential to create sprawl and undermine state and regional growth-management goals.'"