Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Countywide Policies topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Thurston County sets March 4 public hearing on countywide planning policy updates, including UGA swap rules
Summary
County staff set a March 4 public hearing to consider amendments to countywide planning policies that would, among other items, respond to new state rules about tribal participation and the so-called UGA-swap laws. Commissioners discussed whether to set the date or leave the clerk authority to adjust it.
Thurston County commissioners authorized the clerk of the board on Jan. 21 to set a public hearing — now scheduled for March 4 — on proposed amendments to countywide planning policies that reflect recent state law changes, including rules on tribal participation and new provisions commonly described as "UGA swaps" (urban growth area swaps).
County planning staff told commissioners the proposed updates include language to reflect two sets of state laws (2022 and 2024) on UGA swaps and clarified that the Washington State Department of Commerce rulemaking treats the two laws as distinct. Staff said Commerce held a public hearing Jan. 6 and that final rules remain pending; staff also said the county can move forward on some policy updates while delaying other UGA-swap–specific actions if the board prefers.
Commissioners debated whether to set a single fixed hearing date in the agenda or to authorize the clerk to schedule the hearing and make necessary adjustments as legal-notice timing requires. Commissioner discussion emphasized the tradeoff between giving the public a definite date at the time of agenda publication and retaining flexibility when legal-notice windows or staff workloads require rescheduling. The board accepted a compromise to set March 4 as the hearing date and authorize the clerk to make necessary adjustments.
Planning staff said they expect substantial public testimony: more than 40 written comments had arrived over the preceding weekend and staff will provide commissioners with a consolidated packet summarizing written comments and issues raised. Staff also said the county has been tracking related state rulemaking closely to ensure local policies do not conflict with forthcoming Commerce rules.
Commissioners discussed options for phasing action — for example, adopting travel- and tribal-participation–related updates now while waiting for Commerce’s final rules on UGA swaps, or adopting all updates now and revising later if rulemaking requires. Staff advised that the board could formally act on any piece or hold action pending final rulemaking; the earliest final action on the countywide planning policies would be at the board’s first February meeting if the board so chooses.
Ending: The board set the hearing for March 4 and authorized the clerk to make any necessary adjustments to accommodate legal-notice timing. Staff will compile written comments and provide commissioners a packet before the hearing.
