1. How does the Washington State GMA define the comprehensive plan?

(4) "Comprehensive land use plan," "comprehensive plan," or "plan" means a generalized coordinated land use policy statement of the governing body of a county or city that is adopted pursuant to this chapter. (RCW 36.70A.030 Definitions)

2. What does "consistency" mean in growth management?

It refers to the concept that the rules, regulations and plans of all level of governments (counties, cities, etc.) should NOT be in conflict each other. It ensures that local growth management policies are in harmony with each other and with state GM policies.

3. What is the "concurrency" requirement?

This is to avoid development ahead of public services provision. There were many legal cases throughout the U.S. where local governments issued development permits before they provided "adequate" services to residents. Of course, the situation angers existing residents putting up development permits before they provided "adequate" services to residents. Of course, the situation angers existing residents putting up with rampant urban development and undermining their quality of life.

Florida championed this measure as mechanism to ensure the provision of necessary facilities, e.g. schools, roads, sewer, water, etc.

4. What does "sustainability" mean?

Good question!

The word "sustainability" has a long history. It originated from the 1972 UN Conference on Human Environment in Stockholm to reduce environmental pollution, and the concept was revived and extended by the Bruntland Commission Report, Our Common Future (1987). There are myriad definitions of sustainability, but their definition is more widely accepted:

"to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Our Common Future, 1987.)

This concept has become influential throughout the world. Seattle is famous for being one of the first cities to use "sustainablility indicators" under the "Sustainable Seattle" program (1993).

5. What is the average residential density of Seattle’s neighborhoods?

Here are the results of my search about residential densities in
Seattle's neighborhoods. This is a partial search. However, it will give
you a better idea about density.

1. One acre is equivalent of 43,560 square feet.
A football field is:
(360' x 160')/43560 = 1.32 (acre)

12 Queen Anne houses would fit on a football field (gross density).

* In case you are baseball fans: Safeco Field data
(http://www.safeco.com/safeco/safecofield/stats.asp)

(http://www.safeco.com/safeco/safecofield/stats.asp)
Seats:47,116
Center Field: 405 feet
Left Field: 331 feet
Right Field: 327 feet

2. There are two tables in the attachment:
1) Queen Anne, Wallingford and Fremont
2) Selected multifamily clusters in the Puget Sound

Both represent gross densities (number of households/unit of developed
area) including open space, streets, schools, hospitals, etc.

Please see more details about Seattle neighborhoods in table format.