Public Outcry Against Amazon Warehouses in Thurston County Comprehensive Plan Meeting

The Thurston County Planning Commission convened on February 5, 2025, to address several pressing issues regarding the county's comprehensive plan and development regulations. The meeting began with a request for improved documentation of discussions in the meeting minutes, emphasizing the need for a summary of key points raised by planning commissioners.

Following this procedural matter, public communications took center stage, with two residents, Rhonda Larson Kramer and Linda Fritz, presenting their concerns regarding the county's development regulations, particularly in relation to warehouse construction outside Urban Growth Areas (UGAs).

Kramer highlighted a troubling case from a rural town that faced negative consequences after allowing the establishment of a freight and warehouse terminal. She argued that the current regulations permitting Amazon warehouses outside UGAs contradict the county's comprehensive plan, which aims to protect natural resource industries such as agriculture and forestry. Kramer urged the commission to remove language from the comprehensive plan that allows for urban industries in rural areas, asserting that these warehouses lead to environmental degradation and a net loss in employment.

Fritz echoed these sentiments, criticizing the involvement of developer consultants in drafting the comprehensive plan. She suggested that the county should hire temporary workers instead of relying on consultants with ties to developers, which she likened to a conflict of interest.

Another resident, Loretta Sevinen, expressed frustration over the limited scope of the comprehensive plan discussions. She pointed out that recent changes to the plan now allow for industrial uses unrelated to natural resources in rural areas, which she believes undermines the integrity of the county's land use policies. Sevinen called for a reevaluation of these changes and urged the commission to consider the implications of allowing warehouses in rural zones.

The meeting concluded without immediate resolutions, but the discussions underscored significant community concerns regarding the balance between development and environmental protection in Thurston County. The commission is expected to revisit these topics in future meetings, as residents continue to advocate for stricter regulations on industrial development in rural areas.