Published on Jan 06, 2017

School siting conversation begins anew

Contact: Carl Schroeder

Despite coming close to agreement at the end of the last legislative session, school districts promoting expanded opportunities to cite schools outside of urban growth areas have introduced a bill (HB 1017) which takes a whole new approach. Please take a fresh look and contact Carl Schroeder to share your thoughts or concerns. The bill is scheduled for a public hearing on January 12 at 8 am. Feedback provided before that time would be most appreciated.

Elements of the proposal include:

  • Applies statewide.
  • Cities must “prioritize the siting of schools and school facilities”. It is unclear what this means in practice.
  • Schools and school facilities shall be permitted uses in all zones and additionally may not be required to be sited on industrial zones and resource lands.
  • School facilities sited in the rural area must “consider” infrastructure and service impacts on affected cities. Previous versions had included language about “fully considered and mitigated”.
  • Growth Management Hearings Boards are prohibited from hearing petitions relating to the siting of school facilities in accordance with this act.
  • Advocacy
  • Environment & natural resources
  • General government
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