Regional Planning for Growth on Display in the Pacific Northwest

"The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has adopted a new framework for identifying and designating Regional Growth Centers (RGCs) and Manufacturing/Industrial Centers (M/ICs) in the counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap," reports Stephen Fesler.

"The new framework is an important step as the PSRC moves forward with updating VISION 2040, the regional comprehensive planning policy guide," adds Fessler.

The new framework updates a previous version of the document released in the fall, with some substantial changes regarding mix of uses and transit service. The Framework designates two kinds of Regional Growth Centers: Urban Growth Centers and Metro Growth Centers. "The bar to qualify for Metro Growth Centers is much higher since these are expected to function as very productive areas such as Downtown Seattle and Downtown Bellevue," explains Fessler.

The plan also includes definitions of Manufacturing/Industrial Centers, Countywide Growth Centers, and a few other center types in addition to the Regional Growth Centers. The article includes a lot more detail on the definition of each center type.