SB 6463 adds a new section to land use planning laws that restricts additional environmental review beyond what was completed under comprehensive planning. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Lynda Wilson (R–Vancouver).

Under the proposed bill, a local government planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) must not require additional environmental analysis or mitigation measures beyond what has previously been completed for comprehensive planning for any project that:

• Proposes intensity of use that does not exceed the impacts of the levels of service, land use designations, or development standards previously considered in the comprehensive plan and development regulations;
• Is within the development thresholds previously established;
• Is considered categorically exempt; or
• Is considered a planned action.

Project approvals are then exempted from SEPA appeals.

Dates to remember

SB 6463 is scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, January 23 at 8 am in the Senate Local Government Committee.