Growth Management
The Growth Management Act’s requirements drive SRTC’s Comprehensive Plan Certification Process. The Act requires that the fastest-growing cities and counties complete comprehensive plans, develop regulations to guide future growth and revise their plan when necessary. SRTC executes these requirements in accordance with its responsibilities as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). Read below to learn how SRTC facilitates this process to ensure regional compliance with this regulation.
Comprehensive Plan Certification Process
SRTC plays a key role in ensuring transportation elements of local comprehensive plans in Spokane County align with regional transportation goals. As a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO), SRTC is required under Washington State’s Growth Management Act to certify that these elements are consistent with Countywide Planning Policies and with SRTC’s long-range transportation plan . The Growth Management Act requires comprehensive plan updates every ten years so that local jurisdictions comply with any relevant changes to the act and accommodate updated growth targets.
SRTC staff use plan review and certification checklists in the below manual to review comprehensive plan updates and amendments. Once completed, the SRTC Board certifies the transportation element.
Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Framework
SRTC has developed a draft Vehicle Miles Traveled, or VMT, Framework with baseline and future per capita VMT forecasts for Spokane County. This includes how much people in Spokane County drive now and how much they might drive in the future.
This plan also includes ideas for how our community could reduce the average amount of driving per person (per capita VMT) and an analysis of the potential impacts on vulnerable populations.
Regional Transportation Planning Organization
SRTC takes on two roles: one as a Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MPO) and the other as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO). SRTC conducts growth management work through its role as an RTPO.
