Franklin County begins comprehensive plan update; planners outline new state mandates, housing and wildfire work

Franklin County commissioners on April 2 held a workshop to begin the county’s 20‑year comprehensive plan periodic update, hear the scope of required work under the state Growth Management Act, and discuss early public‑engagement plans.

Planner West McCart introduced the project and said staff and consulting firm AHBL would lead the process. “This is meant to be very interactive,” McCart said, urging commissioners to direct callers to Planning and Building so the record remains appropriate for decisions. Nicole Stickney, an associate principal with AHBL, described the update as a statutorily required “periodic update” under the state’s Growth Management Act, covering a 20‑year planning horizon and triggering related code and critical‑areas reviews.

Stickney told the board the update will examine urban growth areas (UGAs) and capacity for the county’s two largest cities, update population forecasts and housing‑need allocations, and review new requirements for climate‑change planning and wildland‑urban‑interface (WUI) policies. She said the state now asks counties to look closely at WUI and emergency protections, and that multimodal level‑of‑service standards (including pedestrian and bicycle accommodation) must be considered in the transportation element.

Commissioners raised issues they want addressed during the update. Commissioner Danzl asked where WUI zones exist in Franklin County; Stickney said WUI rules apply where open land interfaces with development and that the county will need to evaluate local risk. Commissioner Mullin reported constituent opposition to a solar farm in Connell; planners confirmed a planning‑commission hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. and urged members of the public to submit comments to the planning department or attend that hearing. Stickney reminded commissioners that project‑level siting appeals for large utilities can be subject to state siting processes.

On housing, Stickney said new state laws require local governments to analyze land capacity by income bands, demonstrate opportunity for development at various affordability levels, and consider accessory dwelling units and other deregulatory measures the legislature has enacted. She noted Franklin/Benton area median income currently sits around $100,000, and that the county will need to identify sites and development capacity for extremely low‑ to moderate‑income households as required by state guidance.

Public participation plans discussed during the workshop include an updated project website, e‑mail list, surveys (English and Spanish), public workshops in multiple locations, targeted outreach to rural and farming communities, and use of print and radio where grant funding permits. Stickney said the consultant will make materials available and suggested postcards and Spanish translations for key outreach materials.

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate the comprehensive‑plan update with the county’s hazard‑mitigation plan, emergency management and capital‑facilities work. Stickney said there is limited interim guidance for the climate element and that Franklin County is among the early counties required to address the new climate planning responsibilities; grant funds are available to support that work.

McCart and Stickney said they will bring draft county‑wide planning policy changes and policy language for commissioner review during the update cycle; commissioners asked for careful wording on equity and multimodal standards so policies reflect local intent. The workshop closed with reminders about the April 8 planning‑commission hearing on the Connell solar project and an invitation for public input on the update.