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In this newsletter:
- Governor’s Smart Community Awards
- Climate Planning Grant Update
- TDR/LCLIP Pilot Program
- Puget Sound Program Investments
- Transportation Plan Workshops
- New Faces
- Upcoming Events
 Residents explore the Eastrail overcrossing, part of the Eastrail Wilburton Framework Plan in Bellevue that was recognized with a Governor's Smart Communities Award. Photo credit: King County Parks.
Governor’s Smart Community Awards
Let’s hear a big round of applause for the resourceful and forward-thinking communities across the state recognized with this year’s Governor’s Smart Community Awards (GSCA).
Since 2006, the GSCA has recognized local governments and their partners for exceptional land use planning and development, showcasing effective implementation of the state’s Growth Management Act.
(Right: Gov. Jay Inslee tours the award-winning Community Solar East Project at the Port of Camas/Washougal. Photo credit: Port of Camas/Washougal.)
This year’s award winners include projects integrating stormwater treatment with recreational facilities in Spokane, long-term planning for aging populations in King County, and a community solar array benefitting low-income electricity customers in Clark County.
To read the full list of GSCA award winners, view our awards summary.
“These awards are a constant reminder that work on our state’s most important issues takes place at a community level,” said Commerce Director Mike Fong. “From housing to climate to equity, we are proud to see these transformative efforts taking place every year, strengthening our communities.”
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 Climate Planning Grants update
Commerce has approximately $2 million in climate planning grant funds available for the remainder of the 2023-2025 biennium. These funds support implementation of the state’s landmark climate planning law, HB 1181 (2023). Funding distribution is determined based on RCW 36.70A.040 (4), with contracts already executed or in process for over 100 jurisdictions.
We are prioritizing the remaining climate grant funds for jurisdictions with GMA comprehensive plans due in 2025 and 2026 who have not yet applied for funding. Prospective grantees are urged to submit climate grant applications as soon as possible.
Prior to applying, please review the climate grant instructions.
Additional climate planning grant funding for the 2025-2027 biennium will be made available next year for work beginning July 1, 2025.
Contact our climate team at [email protected] with any questions, and visit our climate planning webpage for more information.
Climate grants from Commerce are provided with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.
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Pilot program takes aim at urban sprawl
We have exciting news for the Puget Sound region! Commerce, in collaboration with a consultant team led by ECOnorthwest and funded by the Habitat Strategic Initiative with EPA Puget Sound funds, is advancing Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and Land Conservation and Local Infrastructure Programs (LCLIP) in the region.
Together, these programs work to minimize urban sprawl and redirect development to areas best equipped to accommodate new growth.
Pilot cities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties will explore the feasibility of these programs. The insights gained will inform development of a guidebook and toolkit to help local governments assess the feasibility of TDR/LCLIP programs in their communities.
Expanding the use of TDR/LCLIP across the region aims to protect ecologically important lands, support climate resilience and ensure sustainable growth.
For more information, visit the Transfer of Development Rights webpage.
Questions? Contact Angela San Filippo at [email protected]
Growth Management staff update
Jeff Aken
Please welcome Jeff Aken (he/him), a new western region senior planner serving jurisdictions in Snohomish and King Counties on comprehensive planning, parks, and historic preservation.
Jeff brings 18 years of professional planning experience, most recently as the Parks Planning Manager in the City of Redmond. He previously worked as a planner for non-profit organizations including Forterra and Cascade Bicycle Club providing technical assistance, community engagement and policy development around healthy, sustainable communities.
Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Washington. Jeff lives in Wenatchee where he enjoys cross-country skiing in the winter and mountain biking and hiking in the warmer months.
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Anne Anderson
Say hello to Anne Anderson (she/her), a new contract manager primarily supporting the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). Anne assists jurisdictions and their developer partners throughout the entire lifecycle of CHIP grant contracts.
With a background in non-profit social services and low-income housing advocacy, Anne brings experience in community organizing, grant writing, and program/contract management. She also frequently serves as a grant application evaluator for various county, state, and federal funding programs.
Anne previously worked as a program manager for a Habitat for Humanity initiative, and for seven years as a grant manager at a nonprofit agency. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Humanities Studies from Pacific Lutheran University.
Anne lives in the Milton/Edgewood area and enjoys time with family, taking long walks with her dog, and making traditional Scandinavian foods.
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Ashley Dofner
Meet Ashley Dofner, a contracts assistant aiding in the preparation, maintenance, review and processing of contracts associated with programs under the state’s Growth Management Act.
Ashley assists program managers in helping local governments navigate the grant application process, invoicing and procurement procedures and use of the state’s Contract Management System database.
Prior to joining Commerce, Ashley worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s reimbursement team within the Department of Health, and as a mortgage loan officer.
Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University. Originally from Virginia, Ashley has lived in Washington since 2012.
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Katherine Mitchell
Katherine Mitchell (she/her) joins Growth Management as the Multifamily Housing Property Tax Exemption program manager, helping jurisdictions to meet their housing goals and promote the creation of affordable housing. Katherine helps communities develop, adopt and administer local MFTE programs, which authorize property tax exemptions to incentivize multifamily housing development.
Katherine first joined Commerce in 2021, working with the Multifamily Housing unit in the Housing division before moving to Growth Management earlier this year. Before Commerce, Katherine worked in various administrative roles in both the public and private sectors.
Katherine holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida with a certificate in political campaigning. She lives in Seattle and is passionate about transit, walkable neighborhoods, golf and birding.
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Outside of Commerce
Puget Sound National Estuary Program investment plan
The Puget Sound Strategic Initiative Leads have announced the 2024 Investment Plan, detailing investment priorities including watershed planning and mapping/prioritization, and developing guidance to better align municipal stormwater permits with the Growth Management Act.
The investment priorities will be the focus of upcoming competitive Request for Proposals to award EPA Puget Sound Geographic funds.
Learn more
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Transportation Plan Workshops
The Washington State Transportation Commission is in the process of updating the state’s 20-year transportation plan and needs your input! Join us via Zoom for these upcoming workshops, each from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Long-term funding – Thursday, Aug. 22 Register
- Connecting communities – Thursday, Aug. 29 Register
- Equity in transportation – Thursday, Sept. 5 Register
Questions?
Contact Jon Overman, [email protected] or Paula Reeves at [email protected].
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Upcoming Events
CHIP Webinar
Commerce will host a Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) application workshop via ZOOM on Tuesday, August 20, at 2:00 pm.
Register for the CHIP workshop
CHIP is eligible to any city, county, or public utility district in partnership with an affordable housing project that is located in a city or county that has imposed a sales and use tax for affordable housing. The new housing development must include at least 25% affordable units, and remain affordable for at least 25 years.
CHIP supports utility improvements for affordable housing projects and can pay for:
- Onsite water, sewer and stormwater improvements for the affordable housing development
- Offsite water, sewer and stormwater improvements in the right-of-way, connecting to the development
- Waived system development charges for the project
To date, $88 million in state investment has supported the development of more than 8,000 affordable housing units. The next CHIP funding cycle will open August 26. Maximum funding requests cannot exceed $1 million, and Commerce will make approximately $12 million available.
Questions? Contact Mischa Venables, CHIP Program Manager, at [email protected].
2026 Periodic Update Workshop Series: Critical areas
Commerce is partnering with the Municipal Research and Services Center and the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments to offer two critical areas workshops to support jurisdictions with periodic updates due in 2026, as required under the Growth Management Act.
The first critical areas workshop will be hosted via Zoom at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Register for the workshop online via Zoom.
The September workshop will feature an overview of Commerce’s ecosystem program as well as guidance on wetlands, flood areas and wildlife habitat conservation. Information and registration for a second workshop, scheduled for October 3, will be posted to the GMA Periodic Update webpage soon.
Regional Planners’ Forum - Sept. 5 (NW Region)
The summer Northwest Planners’ Forum will take place on ZOOM from 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5. An agenda and registration link will posted soon to the Planners’ Forums webpage.
Each workshop will feature a different periodic update topic, including topics for jurisdictions that are partially planning under the GMA. Stay tuned to the periodic update webpage for more information and registration!
Questions? Contact Suzanne Austin at [email protected]
Housing Washington Conference - Sept. 24-26
Registration is now open for Housing Washington 2024 scheduled for September 24-26 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane.
The conference will offer tracks on advocacy and communications, home ownership, multifamily management and multifamily development. Commerce will be convening several sessions, which include Planning for Deeply Affordable Housing.
Find more information and register on the Housing Washington website.
Housing Washington is led by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.
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APA Conference - Oct. 16-18
The Washington chapter of the American Planning Association will host its 2024 Annual Planning Conference at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington on October 16-18. The theme of the conference is Renewing the Plans: Embracing Innovation & Resiliency.
Find more information and register at the American Planning Association Washington Chapter website.
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IACC Conference - Oct. 22-24
Registration is now open for the 2024 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference set for October 22-24 at the Wenatchee Convention Center.
The conference will feature sessions on infrastructure funding, rule updates, available resources, case studies and more. Drinking water and wastewater CEUs will be offered.
The conference also offers a tribal track of sessions geared toward tribal governments and projects.
Register for the IACC Conference.
Questions? Contact conference planning co-chair Claire Miller, [email protected]
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Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead: Sea Level Rise Forum - Oct. 24 - 25
The Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead (HSIL) will host a 2-day, in-person forum in Lynwood on October 24 - 25 focused on planning for sea level rise and climate-related hazards to nearshore habitat in Puget Sound. The forum will explore opportunities to protect and restore nearshore habitat and biodiversity in Puget Sound in the face of sea level rise and climate change-related hazards.
This event is free but space is limited, so registration for the Sea Level Rise Forum is required. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
The Short Course on Local Planning
The Short Course on local planning offers an overview of land use planning laws in Washington, an introduction to comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act (GMA), and a review of roles in planning and mandatory training on the Open Public Meetings Act for local government officials. All courses are online, free and open to the public.
In-person courses:
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Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. - APA WA in Bellevue Register
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Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. - IACC in Wenatchee Register
Online (Zoom) courses:
Ask about local presentations
Commerce also offers e-visits to local planning commissions or other meetings. Topics include, but are not limited to, comprehensive plan basics and roles in the planning process.
Contact your regional planner to request a presentation.
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