HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORKSHOP re Transportation concurrency - SLIDESBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP
Transportation Concurrency
Ordinance
Planning Commission recommendation on proposed chapter 18.32 JCC, and options for
next steps
Department of Community Development
October 19, 2026
Why a concurrency ordinance
State law and the County’s adopted Comprehensive Plan both require a development regulation that
keeps county roads at adopted level of service (LOS) as growth occurs.
Growth Management Act
RCW 36.70A.020(12): facilities must be
adequate to serve development when it
is available for occupancy, without
dropping below locally established
minimum standards.
Policy TR-P-4.3
Adopt a concurrency regulation that
prohibits approval of development that
would drop county road LOS below
standard, unless mitigation or
concurrent improvements are provided.
Policy TR-P-4.10
Development that would significantly
reduce LOS below adopted standards is
not approved without mitigation or
funding for improvements.
Comprehensive Plan adopted July 13, 2026 (Ord. No. 03-0713-26)2
What chapter 18.32 JCC does
Who it applies to
Development applications generating 200 or more average daily
trips or 25 or more peak hour trips that affect a county road or
county road intersection.
Traffic impact analysis
Required at those thresholds, or on a deficient or high-accident
segment. Stamped by a Washington-licensed traffic engineer.
Director may scale or waive.
Concurrency test
If LOS would fall below standard, the applicant proposes mitigation
(design, density, or improvements) or the application is denied.
State highways excluded
Impacts to SR 19, SR 20, SR 104, US 101, and SR 116 are analyzed
but cannot be a basis for denial.
Conforming amendments:definitions (18.10), master planned resorts (18.15), application requirements (18.40), and docket findings (18.45).
Appendix A, PC Recommended Transportation Concurrency Ordinance 3
Adopted level of service
Facility Adopted LOS
Rural roads D
Urban roads D
Master Planned Resort roads D
Highways of Regional Significance D
Consistent with PRTPO and WSDOT standards.
County roads vs. state highways
The concurrency test applies to county roads and county
road intersections only.
The County cannot set LOS for state facilities. That
authority rests with the Washington State Transportation
Commission; WSDOT plans state highways and the
Legislature decides funding.
For state highways, the County monitors performance and
coordinates with WSDOT’s six-year program.
LOS standards incorporated by reference, JCC 18.32.050 4
Process to date
Jul 13
Comprehensive Plan
adopted; calls for a
concurrency regulation
August
Ordinance introduced at
Planning Commission
retreat
Aug 31
Notice of hearing and
SEPA DNS issued;
published Sept 2 and 9
Sept 9
PC workshop on
technical and strategy
options
Sept 16
DNS comment period
closed; no comments
received
Sept 23
PC public hearing; no
testimony;
recommended 8 to 0,
without changes
Legal review
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office found the PC recommendation
consistent with RCW 36.70A.020(12).
Today, October 19
Board workshop to review the recommendation and give
direction.
All dates 2026. Source: Planning Commission findings, September 23, 2026 5
Options for the Board
1. Adopt as recommended
Accept the PC recommendation and adopt new
chapter 18.32 JCC without a Board public
hearing. Direct DCD to prepare ordinance.
Final adopting ordinance on the
November 2, 2026 consent agenda.
If changes are desired
2. Hold a Board public hearing
Required to modify the PC
recommendation (RCW 36.70.630; JCC
18.45.090(4)). The Board adopts its own
findings of fact.
Hearing could be noticed for November
2, 2026.
Further PC review
3. Remand to the Planning
Commission
Return the ordinance to the PC for
further review and a new
recommendation.
Adoption timeline extends.
6
REQUESTED BOARD DIRECTION
Preferred
Move to approve the proposed amendments to Title 18 JCC as recommended by the Planning
Commission, and direct staff to prepare a final adopting ordinance for the November 2, 2026
consent agenda.
Alternative
If the Board wants to revise the recommendation, approve notice of a public hearing for the November 2, 2026
regular meeting.
Jefferson County Department of Community Development 7