Washington County adopts 2040 comprehensive plan; commissioners set Oct. 1 effective date

The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the Washington County 2040 Comprehensive Plan, concluding an update process that began in 2019 and resumed after pandemic-related delays.

Jill Baker, director of the Department of Planning and Zoning, told the board staff submitted a draft to the planning commission in December 2024, which held a public hearing in January and forwarded a unanimous favorable recommendation. The county held a public hearing on June 13, Baker said, and staff provided commissioners with a summary of public comment and suggested changes prior to the adoption vote.

"Staff is therefore requesting that the commissioners adopt the planning commission recommended document including any desired changes of the commissioners at this time," Baker said, and asked for an effective date of Oct. 1, 2025 so staff could complete the final edits and produce a finalized document.

Commissioners approved the plan as amended and set the Oct. 1 effective date. Baker said the adoption closes a multi-year effort that included public outreach and review by the planning commission.

The adopted plan will serve as the county's policy framework for land use, transportation, economic development and resource protection through 2040. Baker said staff and the planning commission incorporated public comments and technical revisions before forwarding the final document for the board's decision.

The board voted 5-0 to adopt the plan with the suggested amendments and to set the effective date for Oct. 1, 2025.