Ellensburg council sends revised DEI option to planning commission after months of public debate

The Ellensburg City Council on Oct. 4 directed staff and the planning commission to develop a revised version of Comprehensive Plan Chapter 9 (the diversity, equity and inclusion chapter) rather than immediately removing it or leaving it unmodified.

Stacy Henderson, planning manager for the City of Ellensburg, told the council the item (docket 25-02) came out of two community conversations and a Braver Angels common-ground workshop. "No item was listed on that agreement unless every single participant agreed with every single word," Henderson said of the workshop output, which staff provided as exhibit 2. Staff presented six possible options ranging from removing the chapter to revising it or distributing its goals across other plan chapters and asked council for guidance on next steps.

Why it matters: Chapter 9 has become a polarizing local issue and appears likely to shape how the city frames accessibility, belonging and equity work for years. The council’s vote sends the question to the planning process rather than ending it at the council level, meaning the item will return to public hearings with staff and planning-commission recommendations before a final…