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Sequim planning staff set mid-2026 schedule for comprehensive plan after consultant change; commissioners voice continuity concerns
Summary
Sequim planning staff presented an updated comprehensive plan schedule targeting mid-2026 adoption and told the commission consultant firm SCJ has largely left the project; commissioners raised concerns about continuity and hitting deadlines.
Sequim planning staff told the Planning Commission they are moving forward with a revised comprehensive-plan schedule that targets June 2026 for adoption while staff completes technical chapters in-house after the primary consultant team from SCJ departed the project.
The presentation said staff will present a detailed schedule to the City Council at its May 27 meeting and continue working with internal technical staff and ad hoc consultants. Commissioners asked whether priority tasks had been identified and were told land use and housing are the top priorities, followed by transportation and capital facilities; climate and resiliency and natural environment chapters will also require substantial work under state requirements.
Commissioners expressed concern about losing the professional team that began the project and about the risk to the timeline. One commissioner said the consultant turnover made them “uncomfortable” about meeting deadlines. Staff acknowledged the concern, described steps taken to stabilize the project (bringing new team members in-house and coordinating with the City Manager and Finance Director to procure technical consultants if needed) and offered more frequent email updates when technical work prevents a public meeting.
Staff emphasized flexibility in meeting scheduling — including earlier starts and additional work sessions or an all-day Saturday — and said they will convene planning commission meetings more frequently if commissioners request it. They also noted that public works has confirmed utility planning and that meeting the June 29 date is important to avoid loss of points on certain grant applications.
Ending: Staff asked commissioners to continue providing feedback directly to planners and offered one-on-one meetings with the new project lead. They said they will present a schedule to council on May 27 and will return to the commission with more detail on specific chapter timelines and contingency plans.
