College Place planning commission reviews comprehensive plan update and disputes county UGA recommendations
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Summary
The College Place Planning Commission reviewed draft goals and policies for the city—omprehensive plan, discussed housing, ADUs, utilities (including reclaimed-water —red 'purple pipe' options) and raised objections to county staff recommendations that would limit the city istrict's requested UGA expansions.
The College Place Planning Commission met on the evening of Feb. 17 to continue a periodic update of the city's comprehensive plan and to discuss several urban growth area (UGA) applications the city has submitted to the county.
Consultant Elizabeth Smith of JUB Engineers told the commission the update remains in an early, collaborative phase and reviewed priorities developed by a technical advisory group and public survey results. Smith said the state-required elements under review include land use, housing, capital facilities, utilities, transportation and climate resiliency, while the city has opted to include optional elements such as economic development and historic preservation. "We're continuing to refine some planning data, gather information, and draft comprehensive plan elements," Smith said.
Housing drew particular attention. Smith said the draft emphasizes diverse, affordable housing types and modernizing density regulations. Commissioner Ivey pointed to the public survey, noting respondents favored single-family and multifamily dwellings while accessory dwelling units (ADUs) ranked relatively low in expressed preference. The commission discussed the tension between community preferences and state guidance meant to promote internal densification.
Commissioners and staff also discussed transportation and parking implications tied to ADUs. Commissioners raised concerns that the city—ode requirement of one parking space for ADUs may be insufficient and could increase on-street parking pressure as the city grows.
On utilities, staff and consultants described opportunities to use reclaimed water in targeted locations. Community Development Director John Rickard said reclaimed-water infrastructure (often called "purple pipe") could support irrigation in specific areas such as Stone Creek, and he warned the city is monitoring groundwater changes: "the water table's dropping roughly 2 feet every year in the deep aquifer," Rickard said, arguing that reuse strategies could reduce demands on municipal water supplies.
A longer portion of the discussion addressed the city's UGA expansion and swap applications with the county and the Department of Commerce. City staff said they received the county's land-capacity analysis on short notice and identified discrepancies, including use of an incorrect city-limit boundary and inclusion of properties that should have been excluded because they are already improved. City staff said county staff recommended moving none of the expansion requests forward except a limited swap, and the city is seeking a joint meeting with county staff and the Department of Commerce to resolve disagreements before public hearings. "We're requesting that they not hold this public hearing until we had a chance to evaluate their staff report," a city presenter said, explaining that staff want the final docketing stage to allow fuller review.
Next steps include compiling commission feedback and public input into a refined list of draft goals and policies; staff asked commissioners to provide any additional comments by Friday. The consultant noted that following completion of the comp plan update the city will move into a separate, state-funded effort to revise development regulations this summer and fall, with additional public comment opportunities.
The commission did not take formal action on any policy changes at the meeting; discussion was limited to review, clarification and direction to staff to continue coordination with county and state agencies.
