Planner: state grant will fund Mabton comprehensive-plan periodic update

Byron Gums, representing the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments, briefed the council on a State Department of Commerce-funded periodic update contract that covers updates to the city's comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance and critical areas regulations under the Washington State Growth Management Act. "This contract is what pays to have me and my staff that forward the city of Mabton," he said, explaining the contract timeline and the scope of required updates.

Gums said periodic updates historically occurred every seven years but the timeframe has shifted toward a 10-year interval; the current contract runs from 07/01/2025 to 06/30/2026 with an additional partial contract period to 12/31/2026 after a six-month extension. He told the council staff and the planning commission have begun reviewing elements and that the next phase will be drafting text amendments and regulatory changes for adoption. Council members asked clarifying questions about the timing and the items to be addressed; no formal action was taken during the study session.