Planning commission prioritizes affordability, transportation eligibility and critical-areas work in 2026 draft work plan

The Lake Forest Park Planning Commission agreed on a proposed 2026 work plan that will prioritize continuation of the commission's affordability work, make targeted transportation-element revisions to maintain grant eligibility, and prepare for updates to the critical areas ordinance (CAO) and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP).

Chair summarized the commission's priorities as three items: continue affordability work (with an emphasis on smaller-scale, local ownership and rental options rather than large, resource-intensive projects), update the transportation element so the city remains eligible for regional and federal grants, and begin the CAO update tied to best-available science and the SMP update aimed at the next major rule cycle.

Staff explained the expected scope and timing: the CAO update is "a heavier lift" that will likely require consultant expertise and two years of effort; the SMP has a later statutory horizon and staff described a 2027 target for the next round of compliance and grant eligibility. On penalties and timing, staff said diligence matters: "If you're working diligently, there's nothing Ecology is gonna say that you're out of compliance," but also noted that grant eligibility and favorable outcomes at the Shoreline Hearings Board could be affected if the city fails to progress.

Commissioners asked practical questions about procurement and budget. Staff noted prior conditional certification by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) of the city's transportation element with four follow-up tasks and flagged prior estimated costs when seeking full certification (staff cited a previous figure of about $53,000 for related work). Commissioners discussed whether the city would seek one firm to handle multiple tasks or issue separate RFQs depending on grant availability.

The commission agreed to prepare and send a draft work plan to the City Council for feedback, to circulate a staff draft for the commission by Feb. 10, and to have a verbal presentation to council later in February (staff indicated Feb. 26 as the likely council appearance). No formal ordinance action or procurement award was made at the meeting.