 Climate Policy Explorer is now live!
Growth Management’s Climate and Ecosystem team is excited to announce a new tool – the Climate Policy Explorer - designed to help cities and counties implement effective climate planning in their communities.
The Climate Policy Explorer is a one-stop dashboard, allowing users to search and filter more than 200 climate measures and more than 100 resources using multiple criteria.
This dashboard facilitates a streamlined search experience that improves upon the former spreadsheet version. Searches can be refined by sub-element type, climate sectors, key comprehensive plan topics, hazards addressed and other criteria. The dashboard highlights priority measures and provides factsheets with details that can be downloaded for future use. It also offers a collection of curated resources to aid planners at various stages of their climate planning process.
Access the Climate Policy Explorer directly, or on the Climate Program webpage. Check it out!
To learn more:
Development of the Climate Policy Explorer was led by senior planner Pranjali Rai, AICP in collaboration with Linda Koch at Commerce’s Information Services team.
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 Reduced review for smaller jurisdictions
Reduced requirements for periodic update reviews are now available to some of the smallest jurisdictions in Washington. Commerce will notify jurisdictions if our review indicates they might qualify for the reduced review. As we prepare those notices, small jurisdictions can consider the following to assess their eligibility, and are encouraged to reach out to their regional planner to discuss the process.
To qualify for reduced review cities and towns within fully planning counties must:
- have a population fewer than 500; and
- be located more than 10 miles from a city with a population over 100,000; and
- have experienced a population growth rate of less than 10% in the preceding 10 years.
If a jurisdiction qualifies and chooses to undertake a reduced review, it must notify Commerce of its intent to participate. Jurisdictions choosing to participate in reduced review must still update their critical areas regulations, capital facilities element and transportation element.
Reduced review requires legislative action, likely through resolution, to establish the scope of the periodic update. This resolution should be provided to regional planners or submitted through the PlanView system.
Housing Updates
 Middle housing and ADU parking study guidance now available
New interim guidance to help cities and counties prepare and submit an empirical parking study to Commerce is now available on our middle housing webpage.
The middle housing and accessory dwelling unit bills passed in 2023 establish maximum off-street parking requirements for middle housing and accessory dwelling units. Jurisdictions may use their own off-street parking requirements provided the local government submits to Commerce, and Commerce certifies, an empirical parking study.
The parking study must clearly demonstrate that the adoption of the maximum parking requirements for middle housing and/or ADUs would be significantly less safe for vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists than if the jurisdiction's own off-street parking requirements were applied. A parking study application checklist is also available.
Guidelines for processing of parking study certification requests are coming soon.
Neighborhood residential infill guidance
Commerce recently published neighborhood infill development guidance guidance to assist jurisdictions in better understanding and addressing common public works, engineering and infrastructure issues associated with neighborhood residential infill redevelopment.
The guidance document focuses on identifying issues early in order to proactively resolve utility and capital facilities related issues, and remove barriers to permitting infill residential redevelopment. It also provides examples of solutions and offers resources that planners might use to facilitate discussions with those in other disciplines involved in permitting middle housing.
Updates to middle housing models ordinance and user guide Coming
Commerce is finalizing updates to the January 2024 middle housing model ordinances and user guide to address issues raised by stakeholders since its original publication, as well as House Bill 2321.
The updated ordinances and guide are scheduled to be published on the Commerce Planning for Middle Housing webpage this month. Publication of these documents follows a 30-day public comment period in July and August this year.
Commerce thanks everyone who took part in the public comment period.
CHIP reminder: applications due by Oct. 31
Here’s your reminder that $12 million in Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP) grants are currently available, but don’t delay – applications close on Oct. 31.
Apply for CHIP in ZoomGrants
CHIP grants support utility improvements for affordable housing projects and can pay for onsite and offsite water, sewer and stormwater improvements, as well as reimburse waived system development charges.
CHIP funding is open 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.
To date, CHIP has invested $88 million in state investment that has supported the development of more than 8,000 affordable housing units.
Growth Management staff update
Sarah Van Etten Leupold
Growth Management is pleased to welcome Sarah Van Etten Leupold (she/her), an administrations assistant working to support the day-to-day operations of our regional planners and the unit at large.
A Washington native, Sarah brings a passion for work that supports happier, healthier communities across the state. She has worked in state government since 2020.
Sarah and her husband live in the Olympia area with their young daughter, spending their free time adventuring outdoors.
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Will Isern
Will Isern (he/him) is Growth Management’s new communications consultant, responsible for the unit’s external outreach including press releases, announcements and this newsletter. Will also supports the unit’s internal communications planning, editing and website updates.
Will joined Commerce in June having previously worked as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and advertising executive. Originally from Florida, Will lives in Everett and spends his weekends in the mountains.
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Lilith Vespier
Lilith Vespier, AICP (she/her) joins Growth Management as Infill Housing Manager, working to help communities across Washington understand and implement effective infill housing development at the local level.
Before joining Commerce in August, Lilith served as the Community Development Director for the City of Leavenworth. She previously worked in private planning practice, as well as in both city and county government. Throughout her planning career, Lilith has focused on long-range community planning with the goal of empowering people and communities.
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Outside of Commerce
Update on Multimodal Level of Service
Updated fact Sheet on Geologic Planning in Washington
Wondering how to find and translate geologic information into usable information at the local level? Check out the recently updated Geologic Planning in Washington Fact Sheet released by Washington Geological Survey (WGS)!
If you use the fact sheet, consider taking a survey about your experience to help WGS better understand whether its products are meeting the needs of land-use planners.
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Upcoming Events
2024 Periodic Update Workshop: On Final Approach - Sept. 30
The December 31, 2024 periodic update deadline approaches! Jurisdictions due this December are encouraged to join Growth Management Services staff for this virtual event. Combined with an extended Q&A session and discussion, we will cover:
- Submitting documents in PlanView
- Final periodic update steps and local adoption
- “Next steps” and guidance for additional due dates
- Five year implementation progress reports
- Ample time for Q&A and discussion
Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, 10 a.m. – Noon
Register for workshop webinar (Zoom)
Questions? Contact Suzanne Austin at [email protected].
See the periodic update webpage for more information, guidance materials and previous workshops.
Critical Areas Workshop (2 of 2) - Oct. 3
Commerce is partnering with the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) and the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG) to bring you comprehensive information and resources that support jurisdictions with periodic updates due in 2026. This is the second of two Critical Areas workshops and will focus on:
- Overview of Commerce’s critical areas ordinance (CAO) resources
- WA State Dept. of Natural Resources guidance for geologically hazardous areas
- WA State Dept. of Health guidance for critical aquifer recharge areas (CARAs)
This workshop series focuses on those jurisdictions due in 2026, but all are welcome to attend! Additionally, a future workshop series will be held for jurisdictions due in 2027.
Thursday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. - Noon
Register for Critical Areas Workshop (Zoom)
Questions? Contact Suzanne Austin at [email protected]
Summer 2024 SW Planners’ Forum - Oct. 24
We are excited to announce that the Fall Southwest Planners’ Forum will focus on natural resource planning. The forum will be hosted online from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Topics will include:
- Post-wildfire debris flow program
- Geologic hazards
- Landslide hazards in Washington state: types, planning and resources
An agenda will be posted on the Planners’ Forum webpage. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday, Oct. 24, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Register for Southwest Planners’ forum.
Questions? Contact Catherine McCoy, Senior Planner: [email protected]
Save the date: Open Space Planning - Nov. 1
The Planning Association of Washington, in partnership with the Department of Commerce, encourages you to save the date Nov. 1 for an exciting training opportunity.
PAW will host an all-day training on open space planning at the Port Gamble S’Klallam Long House.
The training will feature speakers from Commerce, departments of Fish and Wildlife and Ecology, along with representatives from local government and non-profit groups. Topics will include parks, conservation and habitat connectivity.
If you have questions or want to participate please contact [email protected].
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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 open for the 2024 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council (IACC) Conference set for Oct. 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 (HSIL): Sea Level Rise Forum - Oct. 24 - 25
The Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead (HSIL) will host a two-day, in-person forum in Lynwood on Oct. 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.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. This event is free but space is limited.
Registration for the Sea Level Rise Forum is required.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or [email protected].
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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