Interlocal Agreement for Growing Transit Communities CompactI
Growing Transit Communities Compact
Preamble
VISION 2040 was approved as the central Puget Sound region's plan for sustainable development following a broad -
based, collaborative planning process. Central Puget Sound region voters also approved a series of high -capacity
light rail and transit projects —a commitment of approximately $25 billion —that will serve the region's most densely
populated and diverse communities for decades to come. These investments present a once -in -a -lifetime opportunity
to shape the region's urban form and ensure that transportation improvements support sustainable development and
foster vibrant, healthy neighborhoods for all.
Recognizing what this unprecedented opportunity means for the region and its residents, a broad coalition of
stakeholders came together to identify what will be needed to create the sustainable, equitable communities
envisioned in the region's plans. The result was the Growing Transit Communities Partnership.
The Growing Transit Communities Partnership produced the Growing Transit Communities Strategy as a tool to
implement VISION 2040 and local comprehensive plans adopted under the state Growth Management Act, and
which is supported by this Compact. Its goals and recommendations are wide-ranging, developed with the
recognition that some tools and approaches may work in some locations but not in others, and that each partner
retains flexibility and discretion in pursuing the strategies most appropriate to local needs and conditions. However,
the envisioned outcomes, consistent with VISION 2040, require an ongoing dedicated partnership of many interests,
including cities, counties, transit agencies, businesses and employers, housing authorities, public health agencies,
affordable housing providers, educational institutions, community -based organizations, and development interests.
And while the Compact is not legally binding and does not mandate adoption of any particular policies or actions, it
expresses the need for many and diverse partners to work together over time to achieve its goals, recognizing that
opportunities for success cannot be achieved unless we work together.
Therefore, as signatories to the Compact, we commit ourselves to working in partnership to achieve the goals and
strategies in this Compact, while respecting the diversity of interests, perspectives, and responsibilities throughout
the region.
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013
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1
Whereas the central Puget Sound region has adopted VISION 2040, with the following vision statement:
Our vision for the future advances the ideals of our people, our prosperity, and our planet. As we work toward
achieving the region's vision, we must protect the environment, support and create vibrant, livable, and
healthy communities, offer economic opportunities for all, provide safe and efficient mobility, and use our
resources wisely and efficiently. Land use, economic, and transportation decisions will be integrated in a
manner that supports a healthy environment, addresses global climate change, achieves social equity, and is
attentive to the needs of future generations.
and;
Whereas the central Puget Sound region is expected to add 1.3 million people and 1.1 million jobs by the year 2040;
and
Whereas VISION 2040 includes among its goals (1) maintaining a prosperous and sustainable regional economy by
supporting businesses and job creation, investing in all people, sustaining environmental quality, and creating great
central places, diverse communities, and a high quality of life, and (2) focusing growth within already urbanized areas
to create walkable, compact, and transit oriented communities, and (3) meeting housing needs through preservation
and expansion of a range of affordable, healthy and safe housing choices; and
Whereas the voters of the central Puget Sound region have committed to a $25 billion investment in light rail,
commuter rail, bus rapid transit and local streetcar service that creates a once -in -a -lifetime opportunity to plan for and
support the growth of communities near high capacity transit; and
Whereas in 2010 the region adopted Transportation 2040, a long-range transportation plan designed to implement
VISION 2040 that calls for implementation of an aggressive transit strategy to keep up with increasing population and
employment growth, including completion of Sound Transit 2 projects, additional Link light rail extensions to Everett,
Tacoma, and Redmond, and local transit service increases of more than 100 percent in peak periods and over 80
percent in off-peak periods; and
Whereas The Regional Economic Strategy recognizes that transportation investments must address the diverse
needs of the region's economy and support key employment sectors, provide more convenient and varied
transportation options, and improve travel reliability to maintain and enhance quality of life in the region for workers
and support local businesses; and
Whereas approximately 45% of households currently residing in proximity to existing and planned light rail corridors
are moderately or severely housing cost burdened; and
Whereas current income distribution for the region shows 13% of households earn between 0-30% of the area
median income, 12% of households earn between 30-50% of the area median income, and 18% of households earn
between 50-80% of the area median income; and
Whereas new market -rate housing trends and subsidized housing resources are not providing sufficient housing
choices in transit communities for households earning under 80 % of the area median income; and
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013
Whereas the central Puget Sound region has adopted VISION 2040, with the following vision statement:
Our vision for the future advances the ideals of our people, our prosperity, and our planet. As we work toward
achieving the region's vision, we must protect the environment, support and create vibrant, livable, and
healthy communities, offer economic opportunities for all, provide safe and efficient mobility, and use our
resources wisely and efficiently. Land use, economic, and transportation decisions will be integrated in a
manner that supports a healthy environment, addresses global climate change, achieves social equity, and is
attentive to the needs of future generations.
and;
Whereas the central Puget Sound region is expected to add 1.3 million people and 1.1 million jobs by the year 2040,
and
Whereas VISION 2040 includes among its goals (1) maintaining a prosperous and sustainable regional economy by
supporting businesses and job creation, investing in all people, sustaining environmental quality, and creating great
central places, diverse communities, and a high quality of life, and (2) focusing growth within already urbanized areas
to create walkable, compact, and transit oriented communities, and (3) meeting housing needs through preservation
and expansion of a range of affordable, healthy and safe housing choices; and
Whereas the voters of the central Puget Sound region have committed to a $25 billion investment in light rail,
commuter rail, bus rapid transit and local streetcar service that creates a once -in -a -lifetime opportunity to plan for and
support the growth of communities near high capacity transit, and
Whereas in 2010 the region adopted Transportation 2040, a long-range transportation plan designed to implement
VISION 2040 that calls for implementation of an aggressive transit strategy to keep up with increasing population and
employment growth, including completion of Sound Transit 2 projects, additional Link light rail extensions to Everett,
Tacoma, and Redmond, and local transit service increases of more than 100 percent in peak periods and over 80
percent in off-peak periods; and
Whereas The Regional Economic Strategy recognizes that transportation investments must address the diverse
needs of the region's economy and support key employment sectors, provide more convenient and varied
transportation options, and improve travel reliability to maintain and enhance quality of life in the region for workers
and support local businesses; and
Whereas approximately 45% of households currently residing in proximity to existing and planned light rail corridors
are moderately or severely housing cost burdened; and
Whereas current income distribution for the region shows 13% of households earn between 0-30% of the area
median income, 12% of households earn between 30-50% of the area median income, and 18% of households earn
between 50-80% of the area median income; and
Whereas new market -rate housing trends and subsidized housing resources are not providing sufficient housing
choices in transit communities for households earning under 80% of the area median income; and
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013
Whereas the combined cost burden of housing plus transportation can be substantially reduced by locating
affordable housing opportunities in proximity to transit; and
Whereas the report "Equity, Opportunity, and Sustainability in the Central Puget Sound Region" identifies a
widespread pattern within the region of unequal household access to educational, economic, transportation,
environmental health, and neighborhood resources; and
Whereas many communities that are now or may be served by high -capacity transit are home to low-income and
minority households and small locally- and minority -owned businesses that are at a potentially higher risk of
displacement due to a range of factors; and
Whereas transit -oriented development is a land use pattern with many social, economic, and environmental benefits,
including more sustainable and efficient use of urban land, support for regional and local economies, reduced
combined housing and transportation costs per household, and improved access and mobility for residents; and
Whereas the Growing Transit Communities Partnership, a diverse coalition of governmental and nongovernmental
partners, was funded by a grant from the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities for the express purpose of
helping to implement VISION 2040 by leveraging regional transit investments to create thriving and equitable transit
communities around light rail and other high -capacity transit stations; and
Whereas the Equity Network Steering Committee has defined equity to mean that all people can attain the resources
and opportunities that improve their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential; and
Whereas the Growing Transit Communities Partnership defines equitable transit communities as follows:
Equitable transit communities are mixed -use, transit -served neighborhoods that provide housing and
transportation choices, and greater social and economic opportunity for current and future residents.
Although defined by a half -mile walking distance around high -capacity transit stations, they exist
within the context of larger neighborhoods with existing residents and businesses.
These communities promote local community and economic development by providing housing
types at a range of densities and affordability levels, commercial and retail spaces, community
services and other amenities integrated into safe, walkable neighborhoods.
Successful equitable transit communities are created through inclusive planning and decision -
making processes, resulting in development outcomes that accommodate future residential and
employment growth, increase opportunity and mobility for existing communities, and enhance public
health for socially and economically diverse populations
Whereas Growing Transit Communities Partners recognize that transit communities throughout the region will have
unique roles, functions, and opportunities, and will develop with different uses at varying intensities; and
Whereas creating vibrant transit -oriented communities can be substantially advanced through the development of
additional tools and funding for infrastructure improvements in communities along transit corridors; and
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 3
Whereas Growing Transit Communities Partners believe that progress toward creating equitable transit communities
will depend on active participation from a full range of partners over the long term, including transit agencies,
businesses, non-profit organizations, as well as local jurisdictions and the Puget Sound Regional Council; and
Whereas the Growing Transit Communities Partnership has developed a Toolkit of Strategies and Actions that
recommend adoption of specific actions and tools by regional and local governments, by both public and private
stakeholders, in order to create, grow, and enhance equitable transit communities throughout the region; and
Whereas updates to local comprehensive plans and development regulations, transit agency plans, and the
refinement of regional growth and transportation plans present continuing opportunities to implement the Toolkit of
Strategies and Actions;
Now, therefore, the signatories to this Regional Compact:
Agree that the region's long-range growth management, economic, environmental, and transportation goals depend
heavily on continued investment in more and better public transportation services ; and
Acknowledge the acute need for additional resources and tools to create and preserve affordable housing throughout
the region; and
Recognize that cities and counties will require new resources to create the critical physical and social infrastructure
that will support growth, including transportation, utilities, recreation, and public services; and
Agree that progress toward equitable transit communities requires a cooperative, regional approach with diverse
partners across governmental and nongovernmental sectors that supports and builds upon existing and ongoing
planning efforts by regional and local governments and transit agencies; and
Commit to build upon the work of the Growing Transit Communities Partnership through the promotion of equitable
transit communities in light rail station areas and transit nodes located within the region's three long-range light rail
transit corridors1 and around transit nodes outside these corridors in other parts of the region; and
Recognize that each corridor is at a different stage of high -capacity transit system development, and that future
stations may be identified and sited that should also be considered under this Compact; and
Understand that this Compact is designed to express the intent of diverse partners to work together toward common
goals, with specific actions identified by partners appropriate to their roles and responsibilities; and
Recognize that the policies and programs promoted by the Growing Transit Communities Partnership may also
benefit community development around other transit investments and corridors, including but not limited to bus rapid
transit, streetcar, commuter rail, intercity express bus, and ferries; and
Support a continuing process of collaboration and coordinated action to advance the development of equitable transit
communities, as guided by the following goals, signatories to this Compact will strive to:
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 4
Whereas Growing Transit Communities Partners believe that progress toward creating equitable transit communities
will depend on active participation from a full range of partners over the long term, including transit agencies,
businesses, non-profit organizations, as well as local jurisdictions and the Puget Sound Regional Council; and
Whereas the Growing Transit Communities Partnership has developed a Toolkit of Strategies and Actions that
recommend adoption of specific actions and tools by regional and local governments, by both public and private
stakeholders, in order to create, grow, and enhance equitable transit communities throughout the region; and
Whereas updates to local comprehensive plans and development regulations, transit agency plans, and the
refinement of regional growth and transportation plans present continuing opportunities to implement the Toolkit of
Strategies and Actions;
Now, therefore, the signatories to this Regional Compact:
Agree that the region's long-range growth management, economic, environmental, and transportation goals depend
heavily on continued investment in more and better public transportation services ; and
Acknowledge the acute need for additional resources and tools to create and preserve affordable housing throughout
the region; and
Recognize that cities and counties will require new resources to create the critical physical and social infrastructure
that will support growth, including transportation, utilities, recreation, and public services; and
Agree that progress toward equitable transit communities requires a cooperative, regional approach with diverse
partners across governmental and nongovernmental sectors that supports and builds upon existing and ongoing
planning efforts by regional and local governments and transit agencies; and
Commit to build upon the work of the Growing Transit Communities Partnership through the promotion of equitable
transit communities in light rail station areas and transit nodes located within the region's three long-range light rail
transit corridors, and around transit nodes outside these corridors in other parts of the region; and
Recognize that each corridor is at a different stage of high -capacity transit system development, and that future
stations may be identified and sited that should also be considered under this Compact; and
Understand that this Compact is designed to express the intent of diverse partners to work together toward common
goals, with specific actions identified by partners appropriate to their roles and responsibilities; and
Recognize that the policies and programs promoted by the Growing Transit Communities Partnership may also
benefit community development around other transit investments and corridors, including but not limited to bus rapid
transit, streetcar, commuter rail, intercity express bus, and ferries; and
Support a continuing process of collaboration and coordinated action to advance the development of equitable transit
communities, as guided by the following goals, signatories to this Compact will strive to:
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 4
Attract more of the region's residential and employment growth to high capacity transit communities.
VISION 2040 calls for a compact pattern of growth within the Urban Growth Area, particularly in
regional and subregional centers served by high capacity transit. The Growing Transit Communities
work program has demonstrated that the region's light rail corridors alone have the potential to
support this vision by attracting at least 25% of the housing growth and 35% of the employment
growth expected in the region through the year 2040. Attracting additional TOD market demand to
other regional corridors that are served by other types of high capacity transit is also essential. To
advance the Regional Growth Strategy adopted in VISION 2040, promote economic development,
and realize the multiple public benefits of compact growth around rapid transit investments, the
signatories to this Compact will strive to:
• Use a full range of tools, investments, and economic development strategies, to attract the
potential demand for residential and commercial transit oriented development within transit
communities consistent with and in furtherance of regional policies and plans, and
Plan for and promote residential and employment densities within transit communities that
support ridership potential and contribute to accommodating growth needs within each high -
capacity transit corridor.
Additional transit communities along the region's other high -capacity transit mode corridors will also
attract significant portions of future residential and employment growth.
Provide housing choices affordable to a full range of incomes near high -capacity transit.
Adopted regional policy recognizes housing as a basic human need and calls for local policies and
tools that provide for an adequate supply of housing affordable at all income levels, to meet the
diverse needs of both current and future residents. Region -wide, affordable housing need is defined
by current household incomes, where 18% of households earn between 50% and 80% of AMI, 12%
earn between 30% and 50% of AMI, and 13% earn less than 30% of AMI. In transit communities,
projected need for affordable housing is higher, especially for households in the lowest income range
due to their greater reliance on transit. Depending on local market conditions, efforts to meet that
need will focus on new housing, housing preservation, or combined strategies.
In order to meet a substantial portion of this need within walking distance of rapid transit services,
the signatories to this Compact will strive to:
® Use a full range of housing preservation tools to maintain the existing level of affordable housing
within each transit community, and
Use a full range of housing production tools and incentives to provide sufficient affordable
housing choices for all economic and demographic groups within transit corridors, including -new
housing in the region's transit communities collectively that is proportional to region -wide need or
greater to serve transit -dependent households.
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 5
These goals apply to the region's transit corridors collectively, and do not suggest a specific desired
outcome for any individual transit community. Further, fully attaining these goals will require new
tools, resources, and subsidies beyond those that exist today.
Increase access to opportunity for existing and future residents of transit communities.
Adopted regional policy recognizes the need to address the diverse housing, transportation and
economic needs of current and future residents so that all people may prosper as the region grows.
This requires special attention to communities that lack access to transportation choices, quality
schools, and other social and physical neighborhood components that allow community members to
thrive and succeed.
In order to more equitably meet the needs of all residents of the region, the signatories to this
Compact will strive to:
® Improve access to opportunity in the transit corridors through targeted investments that meet the
needs of residents and businesses in communities with limited access to opportunity, targeted
affordable housing investments in communities with good access to opportunity, and transit
connections linking areas with good access to opportunity and areas with limited access to
opportunity.
® Use a full range of community engagement strategies to increase the involvement of diverse and
historically under -represented groups in transit community development, empower communities
to influence decisions at all levels of government, and ensure opportunities for participation
throughout decision -making processes.
In order to maximize this historic opportunity, show regional leadership, and act as a national model of how diverse
stakeholders can make transformative decisions that advance a region's goals for its people, its prosperity, and the
planet, the signatories to this Compact pledge to work individually and collaboratively toward the goals described
above, and toward the implementation of the Growing Transit Communities Strategy, as appropriate to each
jurisdiction and organization. PSRC will periodically convene representatives of Compact signatories as an Advisory
Committee to evaluate the region's progress over time toward achieving equitable transit communities. PSRC's
regional monitoring program will track progress of implementing and achieving the goals described in this compact.
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 6
These goals apply to the region's transit corridors collectively, and do not suggest a specific desired
outcome for any individual transit community. Further, fully attaining these goals will require new
tools, resources, and subsidies beyond those that exist today.
Increase access to opportunity for existing and future residents of transit communities.
Adopted regional policy recognizes the need to address the diverse housing, transportation and
economic needs of current and future residents so that all people may prosper as the region grows.
This requires special attention to communities that lack access to transportation choices, quality
schools, and other social and physical neighborhood components that allow community members to
thrive and succeed.
In order to more equitably meet the needs of all residents of the region, the signatories to this
Compact will strive to:
® Improve access to opportunity in the transit corridors through targeted investments that meet the
needs of residents and businesses in communities with limited access to opportunity, targeted
affordable housing investments in communities with good access to opportunity, and transit
connections linking areas with good access to opportunity and areas with limited access to
opportunity.
Use a full range of community engagement strategies to increase the involvement of diverse and
historically under -represented groups in transit community development, empower communities
to influence decisions at all levels of government, and ensure opportunities for participation
throughout decision -making processes.
In order to maximize this historic opportunity, show regional leadership, and act as a national model of how diverse
stakeholders can make transformative decisions that advance a region's goals for its people, its prosperity, and the
planet, the signatories to this Compact pledge to work individually and collaboratively toward the goals described
above, and toward the implementation of the Growing Transit Communities Strategy, as appropriate to each
jurisdiction and organization. PSRC will periodically convene representatives of Compact signatories as an Advisory
Committee to evaluate the region's progress over time toward achieving equitable transit communities. PSRC's
regional monitoring program will track progress of implementing and achieving the goals described in this compact.
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 6
ignatories to the Growing Transit Communities Compact
Nam , Title, rganization Date
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Name, Title, Organization
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
Date
GrowingTrop'O For more information on the Growing Transit Communities Partnership, please contact Program Manager
r� Ben Bakkenta (bbakkenta@psrc.org or 206-971-3286) or visit the Growing Transit Communities website at
Communitles http://www.psrc.org/growth/growing-transit-communities/
Growing Transit Communities Compact I August 23, 2013 7