[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6248911,"mediaKeyId","3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053","parentId",3208141,"title","Conservation groups press Thurston County to adopt climate mitigation, wildlife corridors and stronger aquaculture protections","audioSeconds",1624,"startMs",1816000,"endMs",3440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053&start=1816&end=3440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053/thumbnail_1816000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248911/Thurston-County/Washington/Conservation-groups-press-Thurston-County-to-adopt-climate-mitigation-wildlife-corridors-and-stronger-aquaculture-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248911-041f87df86ccf9e24278563f00f30a46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187900&Signature=Av1I6R9QFTX6A0Ia6pp8P8mGDczQy4tCKMXy9G8XOsLcGKTN4OgGC8mNlehRsZCIFZp44W6fwg14rqQ6LRud3sRfWNos6ENjd90Mn3aa~nhfop52Y4Qq5cLc5W4SbLKHLKDVMi9VqRSky93mMWNGI~zg9GvdM6KgKDLrjwYx8bDKppGan0QuEqzKdDM0zTCg0DuLLJtUhxrj9dF91oh4j9yjYd55Ku3jL145pYMU~z-LGWap8V8xYFM8dwNytuSG0cURgZl3KvmEHFD27WFextK1KXylq9HzYm5v5o0CaUohVYBDKlYXnAcceh6AnDbZD2RY035Oas0-qe-DKTWODQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thurston County, WA","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Environmental organizations and industry representatives used the April 26 hearing to press Thurston County to strengthen climate, habitat and aquaculture language in the comprehensive plan.

Betsy Norton, speaking for the Black Hills Audubon Society, asked the commission to \"adopt the actions and timeline from the Thurston County mitigation plan and the Thurston County adaptation plan into all the appropriate chapters of this 2045 comp plan.\" Norton called for measurable goals, timelines and stronger protections for wildlife corridors, legacy forests, prairies and freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Charlotte Persons added that the housing chapter should explicitly address climate impacts on building methods and emergency preparedness and asked the county to \"preserve forests and prairies\" and to \"update development code standards so they're sized to be effective under the extreme weather expected from climate change.\"

Justin Stang, a policy analyst for the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, and citing written comments from Taylor Shellfish, asked the county to revisit how the draft classifies environmental impacts of shellfish farming, particularly geoduck, and offered to work with staff to clarify the draft language.

Speakers also asked the county to track implementation through the proposed Appendix B action plan and to adopt measurable metrics so progress on mitigation and adaptation can be monitored. No changes were adopted at the hearing; environmental groups said they will provide written comments before the April 27 deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 26, 2025 Planning Commission Special Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Black Hills Audubon Society and other commenters urged the county to incorporate the county climate mitigation and adaptation plans into Thurston 2045, to protect wildlife corridors and legacy forests, and to reassess aquaculture practices including geoduck impacts.","taxTitle","Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248914,"Public comments probe housing changes in Thurston 2045; Grand Mound, ADUs and transit‑adjacent rural housing debated",0,528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053&start=528&end=528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053/thumbnail_528000.jpg","/articles/6248914/Thurston-County/Washington/Public-comments-probe-housing-changes-in-Thurston-2045-Grand-Mound-ADUs-and-transitadjacent-rural-housing-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248914-c7f947124b554e0429ecc20c4d84441a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187900&Signature=mMI8c08NHSjtTe2nSJ3W57IuiS8tdc2AOCEepG93~ul1bNXhGQ7TgEIJj7SFOVx0GQKZ9QGnmzkS5oRFVDnOFg3-pRrNaLKw49Yujg8Mw4~9Lmp~YG97uQAB-kTilFHu1ktgBN6F3Jydmv0HHgUmOOKhWV2wbxgbgRq1PK6lQ0-AgpGqjIgAUQEgay6ckhJ3nQlcSVulhoIKY6~BL9~tgvFvQqBIZ5j6y2ehZDeFJebieenRuMpw5gQDpUOI9JdychHGJcgYuUkufi3X7uJmawPACS9H8ZXcmXMKpRggRUX8g7iRVtwFfUftn2uGdfH1yJeC-ZfnI4HjMe1IKztVUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff described a comprehensive rewrite of the housing chapter and multiple code changes to address housing needs and new state law requirements.

Maya Tippel, senior planner, said the housing chapter is a \"full repeal and replace\" and will show housing projections by income level, a land‑capacity analysis, assessments of racially disparate impacts, and policy changes including a rural 5% growth target and options for Grand Mound. Tippel said the code packet includes two Grand Mound options to address low‑income housing deficits and an option to allow two accessory dwelling units (ADUs) within the Grand Mound urban growth area.

Charlotte Persons, representing Black Hills Audubon Society, urged limits on detached ADUs in rural areas because they can spread development and increase resource use. \"Please add a requirement that the detached ADUs must be a maximum of 30 feet from the main residence,\" Persons said, and she asked that ADU size be limited to 800 square feet rather than the 1,000 square feet proposed in the draft for detached units.

A representative of Conco Companies, Darren (last name not provided in testimony), said his firm supports residential density options in residential zones but opposes requiring residential components in properties zoned commercial arterial in Grand Mound. \"We would oppose residential components in those commercial arterial zoned properties,\" he said, citing safety and compatibility concerns.

One commenter speaking from a rural area urged the county to adopt and fund policy 2.8.6 (transit‑adjacent rural housing), arguing such a policy would reduce vehicle miles traveled and support equitable access to jobs and services. That speaker recommended a joint working group with transit agencies, monitoring metrics for ridership and vehicle‑mile reductions, and coordination with transit providers to operationalize transit‑oriented rural housing.

No final approvals occurred at the hearing; the public record remains open for written comment. Staff said the draft contains multiple options for Grand Mound and ADU rules that commissioners and the public can weigh in on during the review process.","Planning staff described multiple housing code updates in Thurston 2045. Public commenters urged constraints on ADU size and location, opposed residential uses in commercial arterial zones, and several speakers advocated for transit‑adjacent rural affordable housing.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248919,"Landowners contest proposed mineral resource designation near Lake St. Clair",874,1576000,2450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053&start=1576&end=2450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053/thumbnail_1576000.jpg","/articles/6248919/Thurston-County/Washington/Landowners-contest-proposed-mineral-resource-designation-near-Lake-St-Clair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248919-ae16c992e9316d99af22baf47678357f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187900&Signature=hGMbcYDiDi~DcZ00SerGZV8h5Q6fwx~j7gWw1lz6GCqRybaAHqEqO8OB2Qfi3nUki8POMnqCt2zYC3vXdz~aGPSN2KN27Tzfh6fFlzcL--XbQZRHRpPGPPl8WaT4cIBeQrQ2gusJGd7FDbAJBpzzw29CB7fb~C3UcjZ8qVk8yN82oWJaLAlk09Am6siE7zQvJUXzv4fSa3kJKoWm-G2sSeWcyw6FHWLcTy~0Eob3cqwEJ2IjGux7f8OeKdg-JHmUnniQidqxEA8vX3YltqSIASAem1RfkwDUskP6fdfFpO4q0XffH7Lnkry6iklG4h4UYX4GfU369hwWP2yDwk1nTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents with property near Lake St. Clair told the Planning Commission April 26 they oppose a proposed mineral resource designation that commenters said appears on maps as including privately owned agricultural land.

Claire McGibbon, who said she had only recently learned of the designation from a neighbor, said the parcel is surrounded by Lake St. Clair and McAllister Springs watershed and described the site as geologically sensitive. \"If this were ever developed, it would have huge impact on the entire lake,\" McGibbon said, and she said she would submit written comments with a detailed response.

Sharon Kehie (spelled phonetically in the record), who identified herself as a landowner on the same parcel, told commissioners the property is rural residential on three sides and said a mineral resource designation was \"grossly inappropriate.\" She asked the commission what steps owners should take to challenge the designation.

Todd Anderson said his family owns the parcel and that it had been in agricultural use for more than 100 years. \"We are against this designation of our property,\" Anderson said. He also urged the county to contact landowners before designating private property for mineral extraction, saying access would be difficult and the parcel should not be used for mineral extraction.

Commissioners did not make an immediate change during the hearing. Staff did not present any new map edits at the meeting; the public record remains open to written comments. Several speakers asked staff for clarity on the designation process and whether property owners are notified before map changes are finalized.","Several residents told the Planning Commission a parcel near Lake St. Clair that staff shows as designated for mineral resources is private, agriculturally used land and inappropriate for mineral designation; owners said they were not contacted.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248924,"Speakers urge Thurston County to prioritize aquifer recharge and soil‑moisture protections in comp plan update",611,937000,1548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053&start=937&end=1548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6248924/Thurston-County/Washington/Speakers-urge-Thurston-County-to-prioritize-aquifer-recharge-and-soilmoisture-protections-in-comp-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248924-477e0ee30a565cce10829979bf903e49/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187900&Signature=ilzPDblaEP5VdRERj-zqFBhFgNo02AyzuXip2Ky3LD56PXJCKylaBPY6rvA1WRnRmsKW4nRk0ZxCPZgtYdtSYSpi~Do80OigblFBNwKejJ8oA6lqSdMMqT4HlYfdmM2Hspqhohkv28sOtTpe2mPQbhK17Y-M9AIsUnoXdzxL-Yc9pw95SoZuoylG1sLN9zfeWvvwmkSLemYDgsXkA~LAZ5aKR2Zm5bzb2E4PuPZ-LN4G1k-FkLoZkXr0NPrM-CWs1wgc-LrsEbuzpMMTrcKvPknl52aMPD~EVeu4RP~nDUV1QPMydyD4rOOqU7hE~20Qg6tenMdZF0glNur0ewYQaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and experts who testified at the April 26 Planning Commission public hearing urged the county to add stronger, specific policies to protect groundwater and improve soil moisture to sustain aquifer recharge.

Mike McCormick, a retired planner and longtime Thurston County resident, told commissioners he supports the update but urged the county to \"pay particular attention to conserving water\" and to direct growth into Urban Growth Areas rather than outside them. \"People are surprised that water is an issue in the West Side of Washington State, but it really is,\" McCormick said.

Marcy Cleaver, a resident who addressed agricultural zoning and water needs, said soil condition is central to recharge and cited a March 28 Science article on broad changes in hydrological regimes. \"As you put together the comp plan for the future…ask yourself how the policies that you are affecting…are affecting the soil surface,\" Cleaver said, urging the county to favor policies that increase infiltration and reduce impervious surfaces.

Sue Danver, who lives near Capitol Forest, told the commission that protecting lakes, rivers and streams requires precise plan and code language so hearing examiners can enforce protections during permit decisions. Danver said county rules should prioritize groundwater and stream protection and incorporate detailed, enforceable standards rather than vague guidance.

The public testimony called for concrete measures such as limiting residential growth outside Urban Growth Areas, prioritizing land uses and designs that increase infiltration (for example, less impervious surface and retention‑pond vegetation that supports percolation), and ensuring code language gives permit reviewers clear standards to protect recharge. Commissioners and staff did not adopt any new code language during the hearing; the public record remains open for written comments through April 27.","Multiple public commenters told the Planning Commission Thurston 2045 should include stronger policies to protect groundwater recharge and soil moisture as the county plans for growth.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248929,"Thurston County holds public hearing on Thurston 2045 comprehensive plan update",3327,288000,3615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053&start=288&end=3615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3208141-31f45124fa0130032ad266c7f7da7053/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6248929/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-holds-public-hearing-on-Thurston-2045-comprehensive-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248929-2ababacf45ab49197aa7f8a155871e3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187900&Signature=dx7meaTFK7Xy9QD~Ph7g-WynqGQ~Qy-J3-2JVeroDqCPPUTHXOvYSJjS~FMc3LFmwh3~YZMZMPeo-jfhK1ikZDQhnAKgr4Qva2F~I1ZXYSVohjy~uA-~VbjW2y9Kn2k4btCKdQfJmvvioVN6ywtWmvLSETExKhEswEQHiibicqeXpJae8pa~GjyJTf2DmSUhbW~vrSoT1UK1XgBwSPE37lR~FpR3qkatODzQsQ92N~HmreRjOj4ER~nYmvmtOZlQkEPCbLBuaDnPT~cbc~UUy72RAYIzcYjo6k5SOnvulQUb3u0Cw~ZtKhQZACF0XyCXfsycckXpnIyOTLAoroD0qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County planners opened a continued public hearing April 26 on Thurston 2045, the county's periodic comprehensive plan update that staff said is required every 10 years under the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A).

Maya Tippel, senior planner with County Community Planning, told the Planning Commission the update reorders chapters, adds a new climate chapter, revises housing projections and land‑capacity analyses, and brings the plan into alignment with recent state law changes. \"Thurston 2045 is the county's periodic update to our comprehensive plan,\" Tippel said. \"It plans for the next 20 years.\"

The nut graf: the draft combines broad narrative and data updates with targeted code changes the county says are needed to satisfy state housing and climate requirements and to reflect local priorities. Tippel said the draft includes a new implementation appendix with actions and metrics, revisions across land‑use, natural resources, transportation and utilities chapters, and a full repeal and replacement of the housing chapter to reflect new state mandates.

Key points presented to the commission included new policies on water availability and military compatibility in the land‑use chapter, conservation subdivision tools and agricultural water rights in natural resources, active‑transportation and vehicle‑miles‑traveled considerations in transportation, a new chapter 12 on climate mitigation and resiliency, and an implementation Appendix B providing actions and metrics. Tippel also described a suite of proposed development code changes addressing definitions, military influence overlays, EV and solar permitting, and housing‑related updates such as allowances for manufactured housing, permanent supportive housing in more zones, density bonuses, and options for accessory dwelling units in Grand Mound.

Tippel told commissioners the county had conducted more than 30 community engagement events and 32 planning commission work sessions on the update. \"We've received over 600 comments for the life of the project,\" she said, and the county had received 51 written comments as of the previous morning with more expected before the written‑comment deadline. Staff said written comments would be accepted through Sunday, April 27 at 11:59 p.m. and directed members of the public to thurston2045.org for materials and submission.

The public hearing record remains open; no final action on the comprehensive plan occurred at the April 26 session. The planning commission will forward its recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners per the commission's advisory role; the county's next procedural steps were not finalized during the hearing.","County staff presented the public hearing draft of Thurston 2045, describing chapter reorganizations, new climate and housing requirements to meet state law, planned code updates, outreach to date and a call for written comments through April 27.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation groups press Thurston County to adopt climate mitigation, wildlife corridors and stronger aquaculture protections

Public comments probe housing changes in Thurston 2045; Grand Mound, ADUs and transit‑adjacent rural housing debated

Landowners contest proposed mineral resource designation near Lake St. Clair

Speakers urge Thurston County to prioritize aquifer recharge and soil‑moisture protections in comp plan update

Thurston County holds public hearing on Thurston 2045 comprehensive plan update