Finding a silver lining

Author: Brian T. Hodges

Washington State requires local governments to continuously adopt, amend, and revisit their land use codes every 5-7 years to meet the moving targets of the state’s environmental and growth management policies.  For years, property owners have complained about the massive cost imposed by the state’s shifting development policies.  These complaints have largely fallen on deaf ears.  But now, local governments are crying “uncle.”  The requirement that local governments constantly engage in planning and re-planning is straining their already-drained coffers.  A newspaper reports that local governments are asking the Legislature to give them a break and relax the state's environmental and growth management deadlines.  It is a shame that it has taken decades for our cities and counties to understand some of the financial burdens that the state's shifting environmental and land use policies placed on area landowners.  But I guess it’s better late than never.