This month's newsletter includes:

President’s Report: Announcing New Board Leaders

By Chad Eiken

I'm pleased to announce a handful of appointments to committee leadership positions, some which had been vacant for quite some time.

First, Ryan Givens, AICP, has been appointed as co-chair of the Sponsorship Committee. Ryan, a planner with Stantec, has a talent for procuring sponsorships as demonstrated at the past few conferences. Ryan will be teaming up with Riya Debnath, as the other co-chair. Riya is already serving as newsletter editor co-chair of the communications committee and is a planner for WSP, Inc.

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APA Washington Chapter’s Legislative Committee: Review of 2024 Legislative Session

By the APAWA Legislate Committee

The 2024 Legislative Session was a short 60-day session that ended on March 7, 2024. As in prior years, your APA Washington Chapter Legislative Committee (LC) worked closely together throughout the fast-moving session. Session activities included weekly Zoom meetings, tracking bills, forming small groups to analyze bills, draft comment letters, and present information to the LC, and general LC discussion.

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Preparing for Washington’s 2025 Legislative Session

By Joe Tovar

The Chapter legislative committee tracked many bills in the 2024 session, some of which passed, others of which did not. In the latter category were two housing bills that had broad support in the House but did not pass the Senate: ESHB 2474 and ESHB 1245. Both bills, if passed, would have significantly reformed city regulatory processes and standards for certain types of housing, which made these bills of particular interest to the committee.

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Attending APA National in Minneapolis?

Chapter Reception in Minneapolis:

There will be an opportunity to meet with your cohorts, as well as other planners at the Pacific Northwest Planners Happy Hour at the APA National Planning Conference. Planners from Oregon and Washington (maybe Idaho?) have been invited to a happy hour hosted by Zan Associates at their Minneapolis office (105 5th Avenue S) on Sunday, April 14, from 4-7pm. Additional sponsorship is provided by Alta, HDR, and WSP. You must REGISTER by April 8th here.

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Looking for CM Training?

The Washington Chapter recently renewed its affiliation with the Planning Webcast Series that is sponsored by APA Chapters and Divisions. The series offers more than 50 CM credited training sessions a year at no cost to WA APA planners.

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Seeking Board Members!

The Nominating Committee of the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association is seeking nominations to fill several leadership positions at the Chapter and Section levels. This is your opportunity to advocate excellence in our planning community and shape the future of our planning profession in Washington state.

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2024 Annual Awards for Excellence in Planning

Nominations are now open

The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA WA) and the Planning Association of Washington (PAW) are pleased to announce the 2024 Awards Program.

For the 39th year, the associations will jointly honor outstanding contributions to the field of planning in Washington State. The award program’s goals are to recognize great planning efforts in our state, promote excellence in public and private sector planning and increase public awareness of the roles APA-WA and PAW play in supporting outstanding planning in Washington.

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Call for Sessions Opening Soon

The deadline to submit will be May 31

As we gear up for the upcoming 2024 APA WA Annual Conference in Bellevue, Washington, centered around the theme "Renewing the Plans: Embracing Innovation & Resilience," it's time to once again start considering and formulating your proposals for this event.

Keep a close eye on your emails as more information will be coming soon.

PLEASE NOTE: The conference committee will only be considering completed proposal. Please limit session descriptions to 350 words.

Trivia Question

April is celebrated for Earth Day, highlighting environmental awareness and conservation efforts. Which urban project in Washington State exemplifies these values through its pioneering use of green technology and commitment to creating sustainable, energy-efficient urban spaces?

A. The Living Building Challenge at the Bullitt Center, Seattle
B. The Spokane Riverfront Park Eco-Restoration
C. The Sustainable Tacoma Commission's Green Infrastructure Initiatives
D. The Bellevue Smart City Program for Energy Efficiency

The answer to last issue's trivia question:

What notable project in Washington State has been a leader in demonstrating sustainable urban living practices, including green building, stormwater management, and community-oriented spaces, setting a precedent for eco-friendly urban development?

A. The Seattle 2030 District – aiming for a carbon-neutral city center by 2030
B. The Capitol Hill EcoDistrict in Seattle – focusing on community sustainability
C. The High Point redevelopment in West Seattle – known for its green infrastructure
D. The Growing Transit Communities Strategy – focusing on density around transit

C) The High Point redevelopment project in West Seattle stands out as a leading example of sustainable urban living practices. This neighborhood has been transformed with an emphasis on green infrastructure, including porous pavement, natural drainage systems, and energy-efficient buildings. High Point also features community-oriented spaces, parks, and access to public transportation, exemplifying a holistic approach to eco-friendly urban development. The project showcases how cities can integrate sustainability into urban planning to create healthier, more resilient communities.