Olympia Seeks to Boost Sound Transit with Long Overdue Permit Reforms
Sound Transit could soon gain a significant advantage in its ability to secure permits for long-planned light rail projects, thanks to a set of reforms advancing through the Washington State Legislature. These reforms, if enacted in the coming weeks, aim to streamline the permitting process and address the delays that have plagued Sound Transit's expansion efforts.
Despite receiving voter approval to build essential public facilities, Sound Transit often encounters delays in local permit approval, particularly in cities where local leaders are indifferent or hostile to the transit network's expansion. These delays, which can add years to projects, result in wasted funds as inflation drives up costs. Two bills, House Bill 2517 and Senate Bill 6309, aim to tackle this issue by removing unnecessary hurdles and granting Sound Transit more flexibility in its permitting process.
Currently, Sound Transit is restricted from applying for construction or technical permits for properties it doesn't yet own, even though eminent domain authority guarantees eventual ownership. This limitation can be exploited by a small number of property owners to delay projects. The proposed bills empower Sound Transit to apply for construction permits before official land use decisions, ensuring a smoother approval process once everything is finalized. Amendments to the bills also mandate notifying property owners when Sound Transit submits permits related to their land.
Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, the prime sponsor of the House version, emphasized the need for concurrent processes to expedite timelines. He highlighted the multi-generational investment in Sound Transit projects and the importance of efficient government processes for economic connectivity in the Seattle metropolitan area. These reforms would also allow Sound Transit to override local development standards that don't accommodate light rail, such as height limits and setback requirements, as long as they comply with applicable regulations.
Sound Transit representative Mike Shaw estimated that these changes could save the agency up to nine months on certain projects, translating to tens of millions of dollars in savings. However, some Puget Sound transit advocates advocate for more comprehensive reforms, including granting Sound Transit its own permitting authority, which would significantly reduce the role of local governments in transit projects.
Despite the potential benefits, these reforms face political challenges. The bills have received mixed support, with some expressing concerns about private property rights. Critics argue that private property owners may still bear the burden of these changes. However, supporters, like Tacoma Councilmember and Sound Transit board member Kristina Walker, emphasize the urgency of delivering transit expansion to address gridlock and system resilience in the region.
In addition to these reforms, Sound Transit is also counting on other legislative actions, such as SB 6148, which would allow the agency to issue longer-term bonds, up to 75 years, to finance its projects. This proposal has sparked debate among transit advocates, who are cautious about the additional debt service costs it may incur.
