The stated intent of HB 1627, sponsored by Rep. Keith Goehner (R–Wenatchee) is to remove barriers that prevent communities from using certain types of water, sewer, and storm drain systems that have been designated “urban levels of service.” The bill expressly allows a city the option of extending water or sewer facilities beyond the city limits and designated urban growth areas. Instead of the requirement that development must be consistent with the “character of the area,” one notable amendment to existing law under the rural element, states that the development be consistent with the “needs of the people in those communities, including access to domestic water, storm, and sanitary sewer systems that are feasible and affordable for the location.”

This bill also contemplates a conflict with comprehensive land use planning and excludes the above changes as being considered as a finding of noncompliance in a land use petition proceeding.

The proposed legislation recognizes that the development and infrastructure needs vary from city to city and places the responsibility for addressing those needs where it belongs – in the community. However, we expect that there will be concerns about potential unintended consequences of this policy, so we look forward to those discussions and welcome ideas and feedback from cities on this proposal.

Dates to remember

HB 1627 will be heard in the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday, January 11 at 10 am and will be voted on in the same committee on Friday, January 14 at 8 am.