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Commission receives comprehensive plan update briefing; timeline set for hearings and code work
Summary
Planning staff briefed the commission on Ordinance O2025-010 — the citywide comprehensive plan update including a new climate element and an expanded housing element — and outlined a multi-step adoption schedule with hearings and joint council review this fall and winter.
The Tumwater Planning Commission received a briefing and schedule for the City’s 2025 comprehensive plan periodic update (Ordinance O2025-010) covering the climate, housing, land use, transportation and utilities elements and associated appendices.
Staff said the ordinance is the formal legal document that includes findings, conclusions and appendices; the comprehensive plan introduction and appendices total nearly 1,700 pages in draft form. The update adds a new climate element (responding to House Bill 1181 and related state requirements), a more robust housing element and other revisions intended to meet Growth Management Act (GMA) obligations.
Dana (planning staff) and Erica (planning staff) described the public engagement program: multiple public open houses, partner events, web materials and direct notifications, including outreach to regional tribes. Staff said coordination across internal departments and with partner jurisdictions has been ongoing throughout the multi‑year process.
Staff reviewed what is included and what is not in this ordinance: included are the climate, conservation, housing, land use, land for public purposes, transportation and utilities elements; excluded are the parks and recreation plan and an economic development plan (both anticipated in 2026) and a separately scheduled Shoreline Master Program update. The plan introduction is included as part of the ordinance for context but is not a separate legal action.
On scheduling, staff outlined a sequence of briefings, two planned work sessions, a public hearing before the commission in November (tentatively moved to Monday, Nov. 10, to accommodate calendar changes), and joint council review in December with final adoption expected later in the calendar cycle. Staff warned that missing the state’s end‑of‑year timeline for certain development code elements could expose the city to model code provisions; staff therefore emphasized coordinating adoption dates for the comprehensive plan and the related development code update (Ordinance O2025‑011).
Commissioners asked for clarifications on item scope, public engagement and whether the development code materials should be reviewed before a final hearing; staff recommended the commission wait until the development code packet is available before scheduling a final adoption hearing. Commissioners also noted the need for training and orientation for new commissioners in early 2026; staff said training will be included in the 2026 work program.
Staff said SEPA review and notice of intent have been submitted and that public comment windows will run into December. Staff asked commissioners to review the packet and identify clarifying questions for upcoming work sessions; the commission left the hearing slot(s) in place and planned to consider the development code packet at the next meeting.
Ending: Staff reiterated that materials will be updated and redistributed to commissioners; the commission will receive the development code packet at the next meeting and will hold further work sessions and hearings per the schedule.
