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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Steve Butler

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Comprehensive Planning Tips, with a Focus on Implementation

November 8, 2023  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management

A successful comprehensive plan will help guide community growth for decades into the future. When updating a plan, a local government should focus on using a strong planning process, conducting robust community engagement, and focusing on plan implementation. 

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Major Changes to Washington's Housing Laws

Major Changes to Washington's Housing Laws

July 19, 2023  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Two of the more significant housing laws adopted this year are HB 1110, which requires certain cities to allow "middle housing" in residential zones, and HB 1337, which requires all GMA-planning cities and counties to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential areas.

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Impact Fees — Local Government Do’s and Don’ts

Impact Fees — Local Government Do’s and Don’ts

March 22, 2023  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Impact Fees

Impact fees can be used by a local government to help pay for infrastructure costs caused by new development, but there are both complexities and legal requirements an agency should consider before establishing an impact fees program. 

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Infill Housing Approaches: Targeting the Missing Middle and Accessory Dwellings

Infill Housing Approaches: Targeting the Missing Middle and Accessory Dwellings

November 16, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing

As cities and counties look to expand housing supply in their communities, many are considering infill development, or developing vacant or under-utilized parcels within existing, developed areas. Missing middle housing and accessory dwelling units are two options to consider.

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Increasing Local Housing Supply Through Missing Middle Housing

Increasing Local Housing Supply Through Missing Middle Housing

September 14, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing

Local governments seeking to expand housing options may want to consider a missing middle program that champions use of housing types which may fly under the radar, such as cottage housing, duplexes, and triplexes, alongside more trendy approaches like live-work developments. 

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A New Approach for Dealing with Conditional Uses in Your Zoning Code

A New Approach for Dealing with Conditional Uses in Your Zoning Code

August 3, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning

Conditional use permits, most often used for certain land uses that might not normally fit into a zoning category but could work if the proposed use meets certain conditions, can be made into a more efficient and effective zoning tool with some modifications. 

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Preserving Affordability Through Manufactured Home Park Zones

Preserving Affordability Through Manufactured Home Park Zones

June 21, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing

Manufactured homes are often overlooked yet can be an important affordable housing option. Local governments can protect them by creating new zones (or strengthening existing regulations) that designate areas specifically for manufactured home parks. 

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Continued Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Outside Dining

Continued Use of the Public Right-of-Way for Outside Dining

May 12, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Streets and Sidewalks

This blog examines the key components of local parklet/streatery programs that were established during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how Washington’s local governments are now evaluating the future of those programs.

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Using Affordable Housing Overlay Zones to Reduce the Risk of Displacement

Using Affordable Housing Overlay Zones to Reduce the Risk of Displacement

April 21, 2022  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing

Increased zoning can sometimes result in gentrification of a community and the displacement of vulnerable populations. Affordable housing overlay zoning is a tool that can help to increase density without triggering the unintended consequences of gentrification and displacement.

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Affordable Housing and the Impact of Short-Term Rentals

Affordable Housing and the Impact of Short-Term Rentals

December 30, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Housing ,  Tourism

Do an increasing number of short-term rentals impact the local housing market, especially for low- and moderate-income residents? Research suggests it does, and some local governments are regulating short-term rentals differently as a result.

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What Is a 15-Minute City? (And Why You Should Care)

What Is a 15-Minute City? (And Why You Should Care)

October 25, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking

What types of amenities and services can you get to within 15 minutes of leaving your front door? The 15-Minute City concept encourages the development of walkable neighborhoods where a variety of services are within easy reach. 

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Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

June 29, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Homelessness ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides and overview and guidance regarding E2SHB 1220, which encourages local governments to take active steps to accommodate transitional housing, emergency shelters, and similar facilities via zoning and regulatory updates.

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Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

Six Suggested Actions for Planners during the Extended COVID-19 Pandemic

January 28, 2021  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Strategies and Programs ,  Land Use Administration

This blog suggests some action items planners can undertake during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage commerce, promote recreational opportunities, and streamline the planning process. 

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COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Economic Development More Important Than Ever

COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Economic Development More Important Than Ever

November 19, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Strategies and Programs

This blog looks at what activities local governments can undertake to assist local businesses. 

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Encouraging Small-Scale Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Encouraging Small-Scale Manufacturing During the COVID-19 Pandemic

September 25, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Strategies and Programs

This blog post looks at small-scale manufacturing, its role in a strong local economy, and how local governments can encourage the growth of these critical businesses. 

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2020 Legislative Outcomes for Planning and Land Use-Related Issues

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Planning and Land Use-Related Issues

June 25, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Land Use Administration ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes major planning/land use-related bills that were passed during the 2020 Washington State legislative session. 

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Quickly Switching Over to an Online Permitting/Plan Review System

Quickly Switching Over to an Online Permitting/Plan Review System

June 18, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Land Use Administration

This blog post highlights local planning/building departments that quickly converted from a traditional permitting/plan review process to an online system.

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Creative Use of Street ROW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Creative Use of Street ROW During the COVID-19 Pandemic

June 3, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19 ,  Streets and Sidewalks

This blog post reviews how local governments can allow temporary use of the public ROW for business activity during the pandemic. 

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Planning for the Safe Reopening of Public Buildings

Planning for the Safe Reopening of Public Buildings

May 14, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  COVID-19

Local governments are in the process of planning how and when they will reopen facilities, both for staff and for the public. This blog post offers some suggestions to consider in a phased reopening. 

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Permanent Supportive Housing: One Option for Addressing Homelessness

Permanent Supportive Housing: One Option for Addressing Homelessness

February 13, 2020  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Homelessness

This blog post looks at permanent supportive housing, which offers low-barrier affordable housing, health care, and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals, by profiling a related project in Everett. 

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