Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workplan Docket 2026 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lacey Planning Commission reviews 2026 docket; flags Martin Way corridor and annexation for priority
Summary
Staff presented an aggressive 2026 docket driven largely by state mandates — including co‑living, childcare centers, parking and middle housing — and highlighted a multiyear annexation of the Martin Way corridor aimed at qualifying for a sales tax credit by annexing 10,000+ residents.
Planning staff reviewed the commission’s draft 2026 docket Dec. 10 and urged commissioners to prioritize items required by state law while offering guidance on optional code amendments and long‑range projects.
Staff described eight state‑mandated code updates that must be completed in the coming year, including co‑living implementation, childcare center allowances, parking code updates (notably bicycle parking), accessory dwelling unit (ADU) changes permitting up to two ADUs per lot and new middle‑housing allowances. Staff said these mandates have made the 2026 work plan particularly aggressive and reduce local discretion over priorities.
The commission discussed higher‑priority local items: the Martin Way corridor rezone and land‑use update (a major work item because much of the corridor’s land‑use code dates to the 1990s), urban forest and tree‑protection updates, and annexation. Staff outlined the annexation plan as a likely multiyear process, potentially requiring annexing more than 10,000 residents to qualify for a sales tax credit; staff noted annexation requires fiscal analysis, business outreach and a door‑to‑door census or a contracted census to confirm populations in affected areas.
Commissioners asked about staffing estimates; staff said time figures were high‑level, educated guesses expressed in 40‑hour increments and that some items can be deprioritized if resources shift. The commission asked for quarterly updates on work plan progress; staff agreed and said the work program will be adopted by council in February and reviewed on a quarterly basis thereafter.
Beyond the mandated items, commissioners recommended raising the priority of tree protections and site‑plan review improvements and emphasized pedestrian and school‑safety projects (safe routes to school and sidewalk gaps). Staff said some technical items (sewer, public works design, battery energy storage siting) would involve regional coordination, model ordinances and interagency work.
Staff will finalize a docket for council consideration in February and will bring quarterly progress reports to the commission throughout 2026.
