Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Yelm council adopts 2025–2045 comprehensive plan after unanimous planning commission recommendation
Loading...
Summary
After a multi-year process and consultant input on transportation and climate, the Yelm City Council voted to adopt the 2025–2045 comprehensive plan required under the Growth Management Act; the plan emphasizes housing, multimodal transportation and a new climate chapter.
Gary Cooper, the city’s planning and building manager, asked the council to approve the city’s updated 2025–2045 comprehensive plan, a roughly 110‑page document required under the state Growth Management Act.
“This update was required by the Growth Management Act, state Department of Commerce. We're required to do a comprehensive update every 10 years,” Cooper told the council, summarizing the plan’s principal focuses: housing to reflect new state housing laws, a transportation element emphasizing multimodal options, and a brand‑new climate chapter funded by a grant.
The presentation described a three‑year development process that included public outreach (surveys, an open house), a joint session with the planning commission and consultant work: SCJ Alliance for transportation and Confluence Environmental for the climate chapter. Cooper said staff did most of the drafting after an earlier consultant engagement ended.
Councilors asked several procedural and substantive questions about the plan’s economic development coverage and how county or regional recommendations had been incorporated. Cooper said staff had sought input from the chamber and the county but did not have a detailed explanation for every difference between county suggestions and the final text.
Several councilors praised the plan’s readability and illustrations, and noted data points cited in the document — including a line that roughly 10% of Yelm residents commute outside the city. The planning commission’s recommendation for approval was unanimous, Cooper added.
Councilor Wood moved to adopt ordinance 1148, “adopting the city of Yelm’s 2025 through 2045 comprehensive plan,” and the motion was seconded. The council then took a roll‑call vote; multiple councilors voted aye and the motion carried.
Gary Cooper closed the presentation on a light note: “You won't see me for the next 10 years,” he said, noting the plan’s long horizon.
The ordinance was adopted. The city manager and planning staff will now proceed with any implementation steps tied to the plan’s policies and funding priorities.
