Council reviews economic development and neighborhood chapters of comp plan; asks for maps, workforce training language and trail connectivity edits

Community Development Director Rebecca Deming presented proposed updates to four chapters of the Des Moines comprehensive plan—Economic Development, North Central Neighborhood (Innovation District), Marina District, and Pacific Ridge—part of the 10‑year periodic review required by the Growth Management Act (GMA).

Staff overview: Deming said the comp plan update updates background data, aligns policies with recent investments, and reflects the city’s role in the regional economy; the plan must be updated periodically and land‑use, housing and transportation elements will follow on the stated schedule (land use and housing in June; transportation in July/August).

Council feedback and staff direction: - Economic development: Councilmember Mahoney asked staff to emphasize mixed‑use redevelopment opportunities along Pacific Highway and to make the economic element clearer about integrating uses as sites redevelop. Council concurred with staff updates to employment data and policies supporting small business and mixed use. - North Central Neighborhood / Innovation District: Council asked staff to add explicit language on workforce education and training in proximity to jobs and transit (to be added alongside workforce housing language). Councilmembers discussed clarifying that the Innovation District’s objectives include small‑business incubation and did not intend to preclude similar efforts elsewhere; staff will adjust wording and correct pluralization where needed. - Marina District: Council asked staff to add maps and to include a policy funding projects that invite community gatherings, local business activity and tourism through walkability and multimodal access. Councilmembers requested a clause explicitly encouraging bicycle connectivity that links Barnes Creek Trail and Des Moines Creek Trail (added language to include those connections but with wording such as “including, but not limited to,” to remain flexible). - Pacific Ridge: No major policy changes proposed; council asked only for continued attention to open space and for staff to consider opportunities where future development might provide parks or play space.

Why it matters: The comp plan sets the city’s high‑level policy framework for development, infrastructure and investments over 20 years. Council direction will shape implementation measures, zoning changes and capital investments.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate council edits (maps for chapters, added workforce training language for the Innovation District, revised Marina District connectivity and public‑space language) and return drafts in the next rounds of hearings.