Governor's Smart Communities Award Winners; Climate and Housing Updates; Upcoming events



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jan. 15, 2025

2025 January Planners' Newsletter
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Governor's Smart Communities Award winners share their stories

Innovative planning, collaborative partnerships and forward-thinking projects were honored with the 2024 Governor’s Smart Communities Awards. Now, award winners are sharing their stories in a new video series, showcasing outstanding examples of planning and community development.

Commerce recognized 12 GSCA award winners [ [link removed] ] in 2024, including wetland restoration in Snohomish County, a community makerspace in Lacey and housing strategies in Bellevue.

*Watch the new video series on Commerce’s YouTube channel [ [link removed] ]*.

New incorporation study underway, comments welcome

Commerce is preparing a study to gauge the impact of incorporating the Pierce County communities of Dash Point and Browns Point into a single city.

The study is not a formal incorporation process and is being conducted for informational purposes only.

The study seeks input from the Dash Point/Browns Point community. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to respond to *this 15-minute survey* [ [link removed] ].

Commerce has contracted with Community Attributes, Inc. to conduct the study. You may reach the project team directly with questions and comments at *[email protected]* <[email protected]>.

Two community meetings will be scheduled to provide information on the study. Check the newly launched Dash Point and Browns Point Incorporation Study webpage [ [link removed] ] for updates.

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Grants available to streamline solar and battery permitting

Commerce will launch a grant program to help local governments streamline permit applications for solar and battery energy storage projects. Grants of $20,000 or more will help cities and counties transition to automated permit software [ [link removed] ] for residential clean energy projects. Applications will open in mid-January and close in mid-February.

Visit the Energy Programs in Communities webpage [ [link removed] ] for more info.

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Commerce updating housing, climate rules

On Jan. 6, Commerce held a formal public hearing to receive and record comments on proposed rulemaking concerning housing. This rulemaking seeks to incorporate 24 housing-related bills [ [link removed] ] passed into law between 2019 and 2024 into the Washington Administrative Codes (WAC). In total, six people testified on the proposed WACs.

Review WAC 365-196 [ [link removed] ] and WAC 365-199 [ [link removed] ] on the Commerce rulemaking page. [ [link removed] ]

Commerce also is in the process of updating WACs to incorporate HB 1181, which calls for the creation of a Climate Element in the Growth Management Act. We expect to release a preliminary draft of these WACs in February. You can sign up [ [link removed] ] to receive updates.

*Questions? *Contact Deborah Jacobs <[email protected]>.

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*Final reminder:* Sign Periodic Update Grant contracts by Jan. 24

Periodic Update Grant (PUG) award notifications and instructions have been distributed to counties and cities with periodic updates due in 2026. *Awarded jurisdictions with updates due in 2026 must sign their Year 1 grant contracts by Jan. 24, 2025*. Jurisdictions are eligible to request grant reimbursement for all periodic update grant work defined in the grant agreements.

*Questions?* Contact contracts coordinator Ashley Murphy <[email protected]>.

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Climate Updates

Voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction sub-element approval

Jurisdictions that are required to complete a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction sub-element may voluntarily request Commerce approval of their sub-element. In the past Commerce has only reviewed comprehensive plans but did not have authority to approve or deny them. However, RCW 36.70A.096 [ [link removed] ] grants Commerce authority to approve GHG emissions reduction sub-elements by request of the jurisdiction.

Why do this? If Commerce approves the submitted sub-element, Commerce would then defend its decision before the state’s Growth Management Hearings Board, should the sub-element be appealed.

RCW 36.70A.096 requires jurisdictions seeking approval of their sub-element to provide a written notice of intent (NOI) to apply 120 days prior to local adoption. Jurisdictions will then submit their application for approval to Commerce within 10 days after local adoption. Commerce shall strive to approve or deny an application within 180 days from the date of receipt.

For jurisdictions with periodic update due dates at the end of this year – Dec. 31 – the NOI deadline is Feb. 24 to have your GHG sub-element approved prior to your comprehensive plan.

If you are interested in getting your GHG reduction sub-element approved, please email [email protected] or reach out to Climate Operations Team Lead, Noelle Madera <[email protected]> 509-818-1040.)

Be sure to follow our webpage [ [link removed] ] and check back regularly for more information.

 

Certain climate policies may be impacted

Initiative 2066, approved by Washington voters in November, prevents counties, cities and towns from adopting policies that prohibit, penalize or discourage natural gas heating in buildings and appliances and equipment within buildings.

Commerce is monitoring an ongoing legal challenge to the voter-approved initiative. In the meantime, we added disclaimer language to applicable model policies in our online Climate Policy Explorer [ [link removed] ] and advise local government planners and policymakers to consult their legal counsel about potential impacts.

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Housing Updates

2024 MFTE Annual Reporting Now Available

Each community offering an MFTE program must report to Commerce by April 1 each year on program activities in the previous calendar year. Reporting requirements and deadlines are detailed in RCW 84.14.100. All jurisdictions without an independent audit or review program must submit all MFTE contracts including affordable units for final certifications issued in 2020.

*Links to submit 2024 annual reports:*


* 2024 Annual Reporting Form [ [link removed] ] (all jurisdictions)
* 2024 MFTE Detail Sheet [ [link removed] ] (jurisdictions which issued certificates in 2024)

Outside of Commerce

Washington Geological Survey shares alluvial fan inventory

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The Washington Geological Survey has released a new inventory of alluvial fans in Chelan County.

Alluvial fans are broad, gently sloping, fan-shaped landforms made of sediment and debris deposited when a stream emerges from steep hillslopes onto a wide, flat valley.

The "Alluvial Fan Inventory of Chelan County, Washington" [ [link removed] ] publication has a study area of all of Chelan County, including the cities of Cashmere, Chelan, Entiat, Leavenworth and Wenatchee. At 2,994 square acres, Chelan County in northcentral Washington is the third-largest county by area in the state and contains nearly 9,000 alluvial fans.

This updated inventory aims to increase awareness of debris flow and flash flood hazards and provide information for planners, emergency managers, public works departments, and those who live or work in the area. One of the intended uses of this inventory is to provide the best available science and to be a resource for local jurisdictions as they make decisions about assets, safety and growth management.

The GIS data for the inventory are available for view and download on the Washington Geologic Information Portal [ [link removed] ].

For questions, please contact Kate Mickelson at [email protected].

 



Ecology seeking feedback on flood risks

Dept of Ecology logo

The Washington State Department of Ecology in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is gathering information from communities to help improve flood risk products across Washington.

This partnership aims to help communities reduce flood risk through its Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (RiskMAP) Program [ [link removed] ]. RiskMAP supports local communities in updating flood maps and provides other resources to reduce the effects of flooding and other natural disasters.

Your input is important to inform and prioritize our efforts. We appreciate 5-10 minutes of your time to fill out the survey [ [link removed] ].

If you have any questions, please contact Jerry Franklin, RiskMAP Coordinator for Washington: [email protected]. <[email protected]>

 



Ecology accepting comments on environmental review of green hydrogen facilities

Ecology’s draft programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on green hydrogen production and storage facilities [ [link removed] ] in Washington is available for public review and comment.

The study assesses and discloses the probable significant adverse environmental impacts and related mitigation measures for green hydrogen production and storage facilities at a broad level.

The study is available for comment through Feb. 6, 2025.

*How to comment*


* Submit comments using the online form [ [link removed] ] or by mail.
* Comments will also be accepted at virtual public hearings on Jan. 23, 28 and 30.

Public hearing registration links and additional information are available at Ecology’s PEIS website [ [link removed] ].

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Upcoming Events

Regional Planners’ Forums

The Washington State Department of Commerce, Planning Association of Washington, and Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association collaboratively present the Regional Planners’ Forums [ [link removed] ].

The Planners’ Forums offer a free opportunity for planners, planning commissioners, elected officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, share ideas and receive updates from state and federal agencies.

 The Planners’ Forums also satisfy requirements for credentialed planners toward professional development through advanced-level presentations on timely and relevant planning subjects.

 

*Eastern Planners’ Forum*

Register now for the next Eastern Washington Planners’ Forum set for Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025. The forum will feature a presentation from the Department of Fish and Wildlife on the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resilience Initiative.  The Department of Commerce will present on the housing need allocation process for the comprehensive plan as well as frequently asked questions regarding the periodic update.

*Date:* Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025

*Time:* 9 – 11:30 a.m.

*Location:* Register for Jan. 22 Zoom meeting [ [link removed] ]

 

*Southwest Planners’ Forum*

Registration is open [ [link removed] ] for the winter 2025 Southwest Washington Planners’ Forum!

We’ll be sharing best practices and tips for submitting documents to Commerce for state agency review [ [link removed] ]. Learn the ins and outs of submitting your comprehensive plan, development regulation and critical areas amendments and updates for state agency review through the PlanView Database and the Secure Access Washington portal.

Also on the agenda is a segment on local planning for complete streets [ [link removed] ] from the state Department of Transportation. Learn about the benefits of complete streets for economic revitalization, economic development and equity.

The agenda will be posted soon on the Commerce Planners’ Forums [ [link removed] ] webpage, where you’ll also find the statewide forum schedule and materials from past forums.

*Date*: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025

*Time*: 9 - 11:30 a.m.

*Where*: Register for Jan. 23 Zoom meeting [ [link removed] ]  

*Questions? *Contact Senior Planner Catherine McCoy. <[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, 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.

*Online (Zoom) courses:*


* Jan. 21, 2025 at 1 p.m. Register for Jan. 21 Short Course (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]
* Feb. 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. Register for Feb. 20 Short Course (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

*Ask about local presentations*

Commerce also offers e-visits to local planning commissions or other meetings. Topics include comprehensive plan basics and roles in the planning process.

Contact your regional planner  [ [link removed] ]to request a presentation.






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