[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6239113,"mediaKeyId","3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec","parentId",3339020,"title","Utilities element review adds energy‑efficiency and battery‑storage siting language","audioSeconds",412,"startMs",4830000,"endMs",5242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec&start=4830&end=5242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec/thumbnail_4830000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239113/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Utilities-element-review-adds-energyefficiency-and-batterystorage-siting-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239113-1f6b6882ab50731f732bfc0858541462/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=XNWAbD48dHeq2cRKXtGIYZVpo-xZIHOJxMezvSVN2r4lOquruNleVaaJQW1-ApZljMSE1AOBDBXl1T9BZD7bbubb5FITxuAFtNwh8LYwMUYw5zty92Zz6dSC1mKyt8aOakYhs~qNTe3xYXSNkeVY5849aHb7rjVt6rIHMdWLV9IlVLIm9mxofMS85WuuMlGRPmrm51-H~yY1TNZCY8QI~lMnmrZ1rq-EJ5s-xT6PMFrhb9M-8i60Nb2FZMETMYWReoKQWajENpimP67d7nkB~9TkVOIm1-HiDrX6RWYM4SjtS-bc30Nz6Z2UeVg0Faa02-qtdfn6Lf~WqcqsY1WMCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lacey, WA","date","2025-05-15T14:45:44Z","article","The Planning Commission reviewed the utilities element — a required portion of the comprehensive plan — on May 14, with staff emphasizing that the element summarizes existing utility plans and adds new policy language on energy efficiency and siting of battery energy storage.

Staff explained that the utilities element is high level and is intended to reflect and supplement individual utility plans for water, wastewater, stormwater and reclaimed water, each of which contains service-area maps, capital facilities plans and funding strategies. “This utilities element really is a very, very high level, goal and policy exercise to support what is already in each 1 of those, individual plans,” staff said.

Why it matters: Utility planning guides where and when water, sewer and stormwater systems will be provided, and it links infrastructure planning to the comprehensive plan’s population projections and capital facilities work.

Completed items and proposed additions: Staff said the city’s leak-detection program — previously a plan priority when water loss was higher — is largely complete because of pipe replacement and meter adjustments; leak rates cited in discussion fell from roughly 14% toward lower single digits after work on replacement and billing metering was done. Staff proposed removing the old policy calling for that leak-detection program because the work has been substantially implemented.

New language proposed for the utilities element includes policies to increase energy efficiency in water and wastewater infrastructure to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and to encourage conservation measures at city facilities. The draft also proposes regional coordination to develop regulations for battery energy storage siting. Staff explained battery energy storage systems store electrical energy for later distribution and that siting needs careful regulation because of fire risk and proximity concerns to sensitive land uses.

Commission discussion: Commissioners asked whether private water systems are part of the element; staff said a few small private water systems remain and that service-area maps in the comp plan appendices identify those systems. Commissioners also asked about sewer availability in specific neighborhoods; staff said maps and appendices in the adopted utility plans show sewer service areas and that the wastewater plan will be updated on a separate schedule.

Discussion vs. decision: The review was informational; the commission did not adopt changes at the meeting. Staff will incorporate commissioner feedback and finalize the utilities language for the public draft.

Ending: The utilities element remains a technical, high-level companion to individual utility plans; commissioners encouraged adding clarity on private systems and to coordinate regionally on battery-storage regulation and energy-efficiency upgrades.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Commission reviewed the utilities element of the comprehensive-plan update, which retains municipal utility plans, adds policies on energy efficiency and greenhouse‑gas reductions, and asks for regional coordination on battery energy storage siting.","taxTitle","Lacey, Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239118,"Planning Commission reviews economic development goals; emphasizes business support and place‑making",687,2994000,3681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec&start=2994&end=3681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec/thumbnail_2994000.jpg","/articles/6239118/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Planning-Commission-reviews-economic-development-goals-emphasizes-business-support-and-placemaking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239118-ad7304d56c1af8f9a83b5cb0d8ed74c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=MulbABUW1MNYH7nsOu-MABDZxNnL6GaXdEDyqzjLFRVpKhCEgQbpZ4nEpVo8ARIw-cf~MOJ8xq43ZQ9T0K-GnLIbGYwsXWSfVnZ5FjOjcEPEQUw4xcY8mRiJcfLNyB~JUmDcyP3vCGQf6mEZ4d70UFZ~WaSK5ejHcLhoD6lnC99zJM8W7bl~vBSCAoXI4tuCG2X5lUD1NcTKn0oLwOIbBenhEwpwJ-NJnwkxvsS2vd12M4d261TTJNmIN88t0-OzN-ErXCW63CeI3wfKmreh19XjzknbcghmimKZT~ZPXWSnR4Y2l7djRrqSLd2biIQdPtsNFMOORNhE~qbQBctvOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Planning Commission reviewed an updated economic development element on May 14 that presents six goals and 25 policies intended to support local businesses, entrepreneurship and place‑making while aligning economic priorities with the other components of the comprehensive plan.

Wesley Wynne, economic development coordinator, said the draft builds on past studies and outreach — including a market study and interviews with about 80 local businesses — and incorporates feedback collected at public open houses and direct outreach. “We did take a lot of their feedback, and it’s reflected in the goals and policy that we will be sharing with you,” Wynne told commissioners.

Why it matters: The economic element steers how the city promotes business retention and recruitment, supports entrepreneurs and coordinates workforce and infrastructure investments that enable local jobs and services.

Goals and highlights: The draft lists six goals: promote a positive business climate; encourage a strong and diverse economy through partnerships and workforce development; support entrepreneurship and strengthen local businesses; preserve commercial areas with vibrant local goods and services; promote socially and environmentally sustainable businesses; and ensure adequate housing and public facilities to support economic activity.

Commissioners and staff discussed several specifics. Commissioners asked how the plan could preserve commercial zoning so neighborhoods and districts retain goods and services — including grocery stores — rather than converting commercially zoned parcels entirely to housing. Staff said zoning and land-use controls are the primary tools to preserve commercial sites and that the city will continue to coordinate land-use designations with economic goals.

Commissioners also discussed placemaking in Midtown (the Woodland District) to create a recognizable center for Lacey. Wynne and staff described placemaking as a combination of public art, site design and strategic investments to give an area a distinct identity. “We’re trying to create something…where people can identify as part of Midtown,” Wynne said.

Word choice and implementation: Commissioners questioned the phrasing of some goals — for example suggesting ‘promote’ rather than ‘ensure’ for goal language that reads as definitive. Wynne and staff said the comprehensive plan sets high-level goals; implementation occurs through departmental action plans, programs and partnerships (for example through the Thurston EDC and workforce programs) and not within the comp plan text itself.

Small-business assistance and customer service: Wynne described several city efforts that help businesses navigate permitting and locate property, and he said the city maintains a welcome program and direct outreach to new businesses. Commissioners noted that time and complexity in permitting and approvals remain a practical challenge for entrepreneurs and suggested the city continue and publicize ombudsman-style support.

Discussion vs. decision: The Planning Commission provided feedback on wording and priorities; no formal adoption occurred at the meeting. Staff asked commissioners to send written comments to Ryan so staff can revise the draft before posting the comprehensive plan for public comment.

Ending: The economic development element remains a draft for public review; commissioners generally supported the goals and emphasized the need for implementation steps, clearer public communication of business assistance, and strategies to preserve commercial zones that could support grocery stores and neighborhood services.","City staff presented six goals for the economic development element that focus on business climate, partnerships, entrepreneurship, preserving commercial zones and sustainability; commissioners discussed ‘midtown’ placemaking, grocery access, and wording choices for goals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239123,"Lacey planners review transportation goals: safety, multimodal network, and public outreach",1940,951000,2891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec&start=951&end=2891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec/thumbnail_951000.jpg","/articles/6239123/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Lacey-planners-review-transportation-goals-safety-multimodal-network-and-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239123-ed95acb10a7a284e123461e187b9a271/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=kYopSgdcPXaJU620~Ym~WWc4Hbcpfx1BjhQZ8fnTGBqaaPis4L6rUOa7YvPKJV3KMpel5No38Yro1dn8jWJnLoZtJSLPY9sviUW6nzPlboc1h3TivMtHWceniW7Lo8vEDyRteb1P~EI5I04lMLpbIkJ8ffzKxnPAKkvjsCLCTA3DRCDgRuKJ6ZzMExBehfE~DUsZkidQ2LTHBNPCd9ME~2WkiL1XsbmFU7vEDbYwHsq3NRO3OcBOVMhYvdK2M8OYvKIs2kVj4WgtHqbYwOGYD2gNjM8spm69J6FLsMWsLVxUd5Qq9u-1shp~CvJqrTi9WKx0FEMvCvGWFrZSlYgJ0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Planning Commission on May 14 reviewed a draft transportation element that condenses existing goals into six broad priorities and expands policies to emphasize walking, biking, transit and safety for vulnerable users.

Steven Goodsell, the consultant presenting the draft, said the update adapts existing policies and adds items required by recent checklists and state guidance, including the Growth Management Act, the Department of Commerce checklist and TRPC requirements. “We had, 20 goals and over a 20 policies in the current set of goals and policies from the 2030 transportation plan,” Goodsell said. “What we're presenting right now is 6 goals and about 35 policies.”

Why it matters: The transportation element guides street, trail and transit investments, influences development review through traffic standards and impacts how the city tracks safety concerns and maintenance requests.

Key proposals and community feedback: The draft’s six goals are (1) build a multimodal network, (2) prioritize safety and quality of life for vulnerable users, (3) support affordable housing with appropriate transportation infrastructure, (4) prioritize sustainability and environmental conservation, (5) maintain Lacey’s identity and promote recreation, and (6) invest wisely to support economic growth.

Under Goal 1, the draft recommends an interconnected grid that meets multimodal standards, a target active-transportation network with Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) 2 or better for bicycling, and coordination with transit providers. Goodsell also described maintaining vehicle level-of-service standards for vehicle traffic as part of the policy mix.

On safety, commissioners pressed how the plan coordinates with local law enforcement. Ryan (city staff) and other presenters said the city is developing a comprehensive safety action plan; the police assistant chief serves on that stakeholder body. “Goal 2… implement develop and implement the comprehensive safety action plan,” Goodsell said, noting coordination with law enforcement is anticipated.

Several commissioners raised maintenance and visibility concerns — for example, overgrown foliage that obstructs sightlines — and asked whether the plan encourages a clear mechanism for resident reports. Staff said the city has a new “queue alert” (reporting) system on the website for residents to report problems and that the planning commission could consider a high-level policy encouraging better publicizing of that tool.

Other items discussed included: road diets and strategy corridors to preserve community scale; access management to reduce driveway conflicts; traffic calming and ADA transition-plan compliance; and environmental considerations tied to fish and water quality (speakers referenced 6PPD and other vehicle‑derived contaminants as issues addressed by environmental review and state agencies). Goodsell noted the transportation policies also align with regional plans (the regional transportation plan and the 2018 bike/pedestrian plan) and aim to meet Department of Commerce checklist items.

Public process and timing: Staff said the draft transportation element will be posted on the city’s website for public review around July 1 and will be presented to the City Council at the end of a regular meeting on the next Tuesday. Commissioners were invited to forward additional written comments to Ryan.

Discussion vs. decision: The meeting was a review and request for feedback; the commission did not vote on adopting any policy at this session. Staff requested input and will incorporate comments into the public draft before the formal public-review period.

Ending: The transportation element is advancing toward a public release and subsequent hearings; commissioners and staff emphasized safety, clearer maintenance reporting and cross‑department coordination as priorities to refine before the public-review draft.","The Planning Commission reviewed proposed goals and about 35 policies for the transportation element of Lacey’s comprehensive plan update, emphasizing multimodal networks, safety for vulnerable users, maintenance reporting, and a planned public release in mid‑2025.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6239128,"Local youth-sports groups tell Lacey planners zoning rules risk displacing programs",154,175000,329000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec&start=175&end=329","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339020-7e2c8b8f50f25818e296fd2cedcbbaec/thumbnail_175000.jpg","/articles/6239128/Lacey/Thurston-County/Washington/Local-youth-sports-groups-tell-Lacey-planners-zoning-rules-risk-displacing-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239128-98bb031593133a69988a1b91a991bc31/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495663&Signature=T1fiIvkLHtL2wRrfPY2sJQ7BQ44DPW7YkkFBkXxSRNLbAlAHRpkzZrn-gkA5ceHck-4SobAgL8RM00~zJli8mVCPHEruuXnfzOlqHBFoExRlORjGyu~psHQ7IsT-AQyLw1IJTj86AhOFjeM7wdl-~pAGi3zyCy2xKe3n8gFeEMMlj~4ep8fYIj~ccDHWBN6kjT8ryUFyBC8IiyFVucIAE4moTDX592w~~u6wq~FSdyryhVbsJfuvw7kLra7uc~zEShZ7j-0m8aAL7ZSVLxmmjouUtUVUz0B15gvvoEzONjd93qoSZEpG3EshYTAs-XWzVceUcR757qK2Avn7sqb1GQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two local youth-sports operators told the Lacey Planning Commission on May 14 that they are facing displacement because a potential new space does not meet the city’s zoning rules.

Tim Plares, who identified himself as representing TCYFL, said the league and an affiliated gymnastics program run by Julia (surname not specified) both currently occupy leased warehouse space that their landlord will not renew. “We have about 5,000 participants, throughout the year, throughout Thurston and and some of the surrounding areas,” Plares said, adding that Julia’s program has “about 400 participants.”

The two said they have identified a building behind Hummingbird Scientific on Commerce Street that would fit their operational needs with no tenant improvements, but the site is zoned “light industrial” rather than the zone they said they need, which they described as allowing the public-facing recreational use they provide. Plares said the gymnastics program requires a ceiling height of roughly 24 feet for safe practice.

Why it matters: The representatives said their organizations serve thousands of youth across the region and feed into local high-school programs. If the groups cannot find a new location within Lacey, they said, many participants and a small-business operator could be forced to move outside the city.

Details from the public comment: Plares said the building owner would like them as tenants and that the site’s current configuration — including existing parking and limited heavy trucking — would make it an ideal fit without costly tenant improvements. He said the zoning designation prevents their proposed use and that the groups plan to bring the matter to the City Council if necessary. “We’re also gonna address the city council in the future and and start going through that process,” Plares said.

Commission and staff response: Commissioners and staff advised the speakers on next steps. A staff member suggested they start the formal process by bringing the issue to council and noted that council meetings accept public comments and short presentations. Plares said he had already discussed the situation with a city contact named Malcolm and planned to obtain a supporting letter from the building owner.

Discussion vs. outcome: The exchange during public comment was advisory; the Planning Commission took no formal action on the zoning issue at the meeting. Commissioners recommended that the speakers pursue a request for a conditional-use permit or similar discretionary approval through the city process and advised them on filing comments at the upcoming City Council meeting. Plares said the groups will pursue those steps.

What’s next: Plares and the gymnastics operator plan to engage the City Council and to supply additional materials, including a letter from the property owner. Commission staff directed the public that written comments can be sent to the planning staff contact listed on the city website and noted the next council regular meeting includes public comment time.

Ending: The speakers asked commissioners and staff for procedural guidance rather than immediate policy change. The Commission’s advice was procedural: pursue council engagement and follow the city’s conditional-use/rezoning process if necessary.","Representatives for a regional youth football league and a gymnastics program told the Lacey Planning Commission they must relocate unless the city helps them secure zoning relief for a building that otherwise meets their operational needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Utilities element review adds energy‑efficiency and battery‑storage siting language

Planning Commission reviews economic development goals; emphasizes business support and place‑making

Lacey planners review transportation goals: safety, multimodal network, and public outreach

Local youth-sports groups tell Lacey planners zoning rules risk displacing programs