Metropolitan King County Council 516 Third Ave., Rm. 1200 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-1000 Toll Free: 800-325-6165 TTY/TDD: 206-296-1024 Fax: 206-296-0198 council@kingcounty.gov
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Dec. 15, 2008 Council calls for streamlining County permitting process to stimulate housing constructionChanging the rules would promote more housing, jobs, and revenueThe Metropolitan King County Council today called for the streamlining of the County’s development and permitting process for builders as a means of stimulating the depressed housing industry, creating more jobs, and increasing revenue for the County and more environmentally-friendly development.
“Our national economy has been hit hard by the financial crisis, which is placing a burden on everyone that relies on financing to complete projects,” said Council Chair Julia Patterson, prime sponsor of the motion. “We must do what we can on a county-wide level to help ease some of the strain and help stimulate our local economy. By giving builders some flexibility but still maintaining the high level of environmental responsibility that King County residents have come to expect, we are doing our part to kick-start the economy.”
The motion adopted today by the Council directs the County Executive to study a variety of actions to stimulate development, including changing some county rules and permitting requirements in order to promote new housing development, the preservation and enhancement of the housing supply and more environmentally sustainable housing.
“With the economy slumping, this is a critical time to look for opportunities to improve the permitting process and make building homes more feasible,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “We also have an opportunity to encourage developers to build homes that are affordable to King County families, protect natural resources, and contribute to livable communities.”
“As the economic crisis continues, the need for affordable housing is growing every day,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who chairs the Law, Justice and Human Services Committee. “Our efforts to reduce and end homelessness depend upon many actions at many levels to make housing more accessible. The changes to be studied in King County’s land use and building processes show how a menu of small adjustments could make a big difference.”
“This package of common-sense regulatory changes can aid local builders and stimulate the construction of new housing in King County,” said Council Vice-Chair Dow Constantine. “By potentially adding flexibility to our code and increasing bonuses for sustainable projects, we hope to encourage the expansion of our stock of environmentally sustainable homes.”
“Today our families, friends and neighbors are struggling to pay their mortgages and find affordable housing,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “It is important that we provide leadership to help right the housing slump. This will not only help our County’s communities, but struggling homebuilders and construction worker as well. This is a sensible step to help our economy and streamline our permitting processes.”
According to market research by the National Association of Home Builders, construction of the average new single family home produces an average of three jobs and more than $89,000 in taxes, while development of a typical 100-unit apartment complex generates 116 jobs, $8.7 million in income and $3.3 million in tax revenue. For every dollar invested in affordable housing, an additional $10 to $15 of economic benefit is generated for the surrounding community.
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