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Thurston County hears public concern over proposal to move land‑use appeals to court and expand SEPA exemptions
Summary
County staff proposed clerical code edits, timeline updates tied to a referenced Senate bill, SEPA categorical‑exemption increases for housing in urban growth areas, and redirecting appeals to superior court. Residents and environmental groups urged keeping appeals with elected commissioners, citing equity and oversight concerns.
Thurston County commissioners on Tuesday held a public hearing on a package of changes to the county’s permit review process, including updates to permit‑review timelines and revisions to SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) categorical exemptions intended to ease housing development in urban growth areas.
Ashley Bridal, director of Community Planning, Economic & Development (CPED), told the board the proposal bundles four elements: clerical edits; timeline updates tied to a referenced state Senate bill; revisions expanding categorical exemptions under SEPA to support local housing initiatives; and clarifications directing land‑use appeals to the superior court rather than to the Board of County Commissioners.
The SEPA changes,…
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