Thurston County Planning Commission backs zero minimum parking for new Grand Mound multifamily, raises Grand Mound densities and recommends Thurston 2045 update

The Thurston County Planning Commission on Aug. 27 voted to set a minimum of 0 parking spaces per multifamily unit in the county’s rural unincorporated areas where multifamily developments of five or more units are allowed, unanimously approved proposed increases to residential densities in the Grand Mound urban growth area and recommended that the County adopt the Thurston 2045 comprehensive-plan update as amended by the commission.

Maya Tipel, senior planner with Thurston County Community Planning, told commissioners the draft policy gives a range of 0 to 1.5 spaces per unit as an option and that the existing standard is 2 spaces per unit for multifamily developments of five or more units in the Grand Mound area. “We have to select something within that range,” Tipel said. “The existing number is 2 … and we deferred that discussion to this meeting.”

The debate centered on housing affordability and transportation access. Commissioner Daniel Bumbarger said reducing parking requirements could lower housing costs and increase unit counts because developers would allocate less square footage to parking. “More density means a cheaper house in a complex,” Bumbarger said. Commissioner Colin Bartlett and others urged commissioners to weigh whether areas targeted for higher density would have transit or other services in place before eliminating minimum parking. “How are we setting that up in terms of its car‑centric nature or…public transit? Are we counting on transit existing where it may or may not?” Bartlett asked.

Commissioner Sandy Kaiser argued the Grand Mound area currently lacks reliable transit and that households there are likely to need vehicles for commuting. “Almost everybody that lives in Grand Mound … is going to have to go somewhere else to work, which means they’re gonna be commuting,” Kaiser said, urging a more modest reduction than zero. Commissioner Eric Casino and several others said the market will determine whether developers provide parking and that lowering requirements can spur more housing production.

The commission took a roll-call vote on the parking minimum. The tally: Eric Casino — yes; Barry Halverson — no; Kevin Pesinger — yes; Yvonne Miller — yes; Chair Joel Hansen — no; Vice Chair (Bombardier) — yes; Colin Bartlett — yes; Sandy Kaiser — no; Bill Fishburne — yes. The motion passed (6 yes, 3 no).

On Grand Mound densities, Tipel described two approaches in the draft: increase residential zone density (recommended in the draft) or increase allowed housing in commercial zones along the Old Highway 99 and US‑12 corridors. Commissioners agreed the residential-zone increase is preferred; the commission voted unanimously to recommend raising residential densities in Grand Mound (the commission recorded the decision as unanimous).

The commission also voted on several related housing items addressed during the work session: - Detached rural accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Commissioners voted to allow detached ADUs within 100 feet of the primary structure (motion passed by voice vote after a motion specifying the 100‑foot proximity). Commissioner Sanday Kaiser and others had earlier discussed proximity and neighborhood impacts; the adopted language keeps the 100‑foot limit. - Conservation subdivisions and density‑bonus provisions: The commission voted to allow conservation subdivisions with density bonuses linked to preserved open space and resource protection (motion adopted). - Rural industrial uses: The commission recommended limiting rural industrial uses to operations that support natural‑resource industries (agriculture, mining, forestry, aquaculture) (motion adopted). - 5% rural growth implementation: The commission moved to recommend that the county begin implementing measures to achieve a 5% rural‑growth target on a 2‑ to 6‑year timeline; the motion carried.

After discussing dozens of policy edits and implementation items across housing, development regulations and utilities, the commission voted to forward the Thurston 2045 comprehensive‑plan update to the Board of County Commissioners “as amended by the Planning Commission” (motion to recommend approval passed by roll call; several commissioners requested the opportunity to submit minority findings or a short minority report to accompany the recommendation). The final roll call on the recommendation recorded: Commissioner Eric Casino — aye; Commissioner Barry Halverson — aye; Commissioner Kevin Pesinger — nay; Commissioner Yvonne Miller — nay; Chair Joel Hansen — aye; Vice Chair (Bombardier) — aye; Commissioner Colin Bartlett — nay; Commissioner Sandy Kaiser — aye; Commissioner Bill Fishburne — aye. Commissioners asked staff to provide a printed draft showing the commission’s tracked changes before the Board’s review and to accept minority findings by the next meeting.

The commission’s recommendations and implementation items will now be considered by the Board of County Commissioners as the next formal step in the periodic update required by state law.

Ending: The commission scheduled further follow‑up meetings for joint planning items and implementation work; several commissioners asked staff to circulate a full printed copy of the amended plan before the board hearings so commissioners and the public can review the exact, consolidated text.