Grant County staff outline priorities, timeline for 2027 Comprehensive Plan update

Development Services Director Jim Anderson-Cook told the Grant County Planning Commission on Jan. 7 that the county's mandated 2027 Comprehensive Plan update must be completed and ready for adoption by June 2027 and that most of the work will take place through 2026 into 2027. He said staff have completed about 30 stakeholder interviews and launched a project website; community open houses are planned in Moses Lake, Mattawa and Grand Coulee to collect public input.

Anderson-Cook summarized the primary concerns raised by interviewees, listing power availability for high-load industries; aquifer depletion and potable-water access; water quality of Moses Lake; expanding irrigation to support agricultural growth; transportation safety and connectivity, including emergency access in unincorporated communities; environmental and resource preservation amid industry and renewable energy development; the need to diversify employment and workforce opportunities; housing diversification and affordability; and expanded tourism. When Commissioner Richard Leitz asked whether zoning authority rests with the county or the Washington Department of Commerce, Anderson-Cook replied that "it is the County," and explained that the decennial update is the opportunity to correct countywide land-use and zoning designations.

Commissioners discussed allowing more flexibility in goals and policies to respond to local needs. Chairman Elliott Goodrich also said the Board of County Commissioners intends to be more diligent about enforcing term limits for commissions and boards and that the Planning Commission will review its Rules of Procedure at a future meeting.