This month: Updated guidance, new faces, upcoming events



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Jan. 15, 2026
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Planners’ Monthly Newsletter – Jan. 2026

*This month: Updated guidance, new faces, upcoming events*

New climate tools: Updated guidance and policy explorer now live

Climate Element Planning Guidance cover

As we kick off 2026, Commerce is excited to share updated climate element planning guidance [ [link removed] ] designed to support local governments as they develop plans to address the impacts of climate change.

Reflecting recently completed rulemaking, the updated guidance provides a structured, step-by-step framework to develop comprehensive plan elements that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and bolster community resilience.

The guidance can help local governments identify local climate impacts, measure emissions and prioritize climate goals and policies for their comprehensive plan.

A standout appendix to the guidance document is the searchable database, the Climate Policy Explorer [ [link removed] ], which includes more than 200 model goals and policies, as well as a rich library of climate planning resources.

Find the new guidance on Commerce’s Climate Planning Guidance webpage [ [link removed] ].



Final report: Collaborative Roadmap Phase IV

Commerce released the final report for Collaborative Roadmap Phase IV, marking a significant milestone in the multi-year effort to modernize the state’s growth policy framework.

Building on the foundation of previous phases, Phase IV focused on identifying options to increase coordination between local governments and special purpose districts such as school districts, ports and public utility districts. The report provides nine key recommendations designed to make the laws and code governing growth and development more connected to help local governments address pressing issues.

Find the full report on Commerce’s Collaborative Roadmap webpage [ [link removed] ].

*Housing updates*

Submit your 2025 MFTE annual report by April 1

It’s time to submit an annual report on the multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) program!

Every jurisdiction should complete the short online reporting form [ [link removed] ] whether or not the jurisdiction currently has an MFTE Program. Those jurisdictions who issued final certificates of tax exemption will also complete a detail sheet [ [link removed] ]. The reporting deadline is April 1, 2026.

If you have any questions about the reporting process, please contact MFTE Program Manager Katherine Mitchell at [email protected] <[email protected]>.

 

Update: Housing guidance reflects GMHB findings

Commerce has updated its Guidance for Updating Your Housing Element (Housing Element Book 2) [ [link removed] ] document to reflect findings in two recent Growth Management Hearings Board cases.

Findings in "Futurewise et al. vs. City of Mercer" Island and "Kitsap Alliance et al. vs. Kitsap County" clarify requirements to “plan for and accommodate” housing of all income levels under the Growth Management Act.

In short, Commerce recommends that local governments include the following items in their housing element:


* Identify sufficient land capacity for housing needs of all income levels, including emergency housing and permanent supportive housing,
* Identify barriers to affordable housing and a list of local actions needed to address barriers (adequate provisions)
* Include an analysis of the number of housing units that need subsidies and/or incentives and the amount of funds that are needed for these units, and
* Identify potential local funding sources for housing needs.

Jurisdictions should also make changes to their development regulations to ensure capacity for all housing needs and to address listed housing barriers*_ with their periodic update_*.

Commerce recommends jurisdictions consult with their legal counsel for advice on these matters. For any questions on Commerce guidance, please contact Laura Hodgson at [email protected].

 

Webinar: Preemptive housing laws for permit managers

Commerce will host an informational webinar for jurisdictions whose local housing regulations have been preempted by state law at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Register for the webinar. [ [link removed] ]

This session will provide guidance on:


* Preemption requirements and timelines
* Common questions and best practices
* Processing permits in preempted jurisdictions

Refer to Commerce’s preemption fact sheet [ [link removed] ] for specific information on preemptive housing laws.

 

Listening session: Transit-oriented development

Join Commerce on Feb. 5 for a listening session on RCW 36.70A.840, Washington’s new law on transit-oriented development.

We’ll share about the legislation, model code and guidance, and other information Commerce is planning to produce. We also want to hear from you about how we can best support your work to implement the new law.

*TOD Listening Session*


* 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5
* Registration is required [ [link removed] ].

Visit Commerce’s  Transit-Oriented Development webpage [ [link removed] ]to learn more.

We're hiring

Commerce is hiring a technical specialist [ [link removed] ] to support the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program. 

This role will serve to enhance project readiness and application development by helping communities understand the program and identify suitable projects for CHIP applications.

As the leading technical expert, this position will provide critical guidance on optimizing water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure improvements to maximize housing development and increase access to CHIP funding.

Find the full job listing and *apply by Jan. 22* on Commerce’s job portal [ [link removed] ].

*Growth Management staff update*

Suzanne Austin

Suzanne Austin

Suzanne Austin, AICP (she/her) has transitioned from a senior planner position specializing in the periodic update to the program manager for the Defense Community Compatibility Account (DCCA [ [link removed] ]) program.

Prior to joining Commerce in 2021, Suzanne served in the Navy, followed by her professional planning experience as a local planner with Washington communities and as a community planner for the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in human and international geography from Western Washington University and an urban planning and development certification from UC San Diego. She is excited for the challenges and opportunities of her new position and looks forward to expanding outreach and collaboration between local jurisdictions, tribes and military installations.

 



Teddy Davenport

Teddy Davenport

Teddy Davenport (he/him) joins Growth Management Services as a Spatial Research Analyst, coordinating research projects centering on the Washington State Zoning Atlas (WAZA) and the Puget Sound Mapping Project.

Teddy has over a decade of experience in mixed-methods social science research. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geography with a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Georgia and a master’s in geography from the University of Washington.

In 2025, Teddy completed his Ph.D. in geography at the University of Washington. Teddy’s dissertation research centered on digital LGBTQ+ place-making, and he previously contributed to collaborative research projects on topics such as broadband access equity and community housing initiatives.

 



Joshua Engelbrecht

Joshua Engelbrecht

Joshua Engelbrecht is the newest Senior Planner within Growth Management Services, serving communities along Washington’s western coast.

Before joining Commerce, he served as Community Planning Director for the Town of Coupeville on Whidbey Island.

Joshua holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Iowa.

A Washington resident for the last four years, Joshua currently lives in Bellingham and doesn’t mind the rain or the Long Dark.



*From our partners*

Grant funds for park planning to open for applications in mid-2026

The Recreation and Conservation Office’s Planning for Recreation Access (PRA) [ [link removed] ] program provides grants for outdoor recreation planning projects in small rural communities and dense urban neighborhoods in areas of Washington state with a high need for park development or renovation.

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

Applications for 2026 are expected to open in May.

Funding can be used for:


* Comprehensive park planning efforts
* Single facility planning (including site design, construction planning, and permitting)

No matching funds are required for this program.

PRA is intended to provide communities with the planning resources necessary to improve outdoor recreation facilities in their communities and to be successful in future funding efforts through RCO construction grants.

*Questions?* Contact RCO’s Technical Assistance Team by emailing Edison Velez at [email protected] <[email protected]>.

 



Register for the 2026 HSIL Subrecipient Summit

Registration is now open for the fourth annual Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead (HSIL) Subrecipient Summit [ [link removed] ]. The Summit is an annual event convened to highlight the innovative and collaborative work funded by HSIL through EPA Puget Sound Geographic Program funds.

Puget Sound National Estuary Program

*When:* 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

*Where*: In-person or virtual,
Green River College, 12401 SE 320th St, Auburn, WA 98092

*Cost*: Free and lunch will be provided.

*Register* [ [link removed] ] by February 13, 2026. In-person space is limited.

This year, we will present 52 projects through a plenary session, panel discussions, and short and medium length concurrent presentation sessions. Each of these projects advances Puget Sound recovery and the Habitat Implementation Strategies: Shoreline Armoring, Land Development and Cover, Floodplains and Estuaries, and Marine Vegetation. Our funding recipients include tribes, state agencies, local governments, conservation districts, non-governmental/non-profit organizations, and academia.

Virtual attendees will view all main room sessions including plenary, panels, and the concurrent session in the main room. Concurrent sessions not in the main room will be recorded and made available after the Summit.

*Questions:* Contact Jennifer Griffiths ([email protected] <[email protected]>) and Julie Ann Koehlinger ([email protected] <[email protected]>).

 



South Sound APA Workshop

The Habitat and Stormwater Strategic Initiative Leads, in partnership with the South Sound Section of the Washington chapter of the American Planning Association, invite you to a special workshop and networking event on the value of trees in the built environment.

The session will explore best practices for balancing the preservation and enhancement of urban canopies and individual trees with increased urban density and missing middle housing policy.

Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how urban forests provide significant benefits to address climate resilience, equity, public health, and habitat and planning tools that can protect the urban canopy.

The session will include presentations, discussion, and an in-person social event in Olympia following the workshop. AICP credits will be offered. There is no cost to attend.

*Event details:* 

*Date:* Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 

*Workshop:* 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Virtual)

*Networking: *5:15 p.m. – 7 p.m. (Olympia, venue TBD)

*Register [ [link removed] ]*

For more information, contact Rebecca Brown, AICP at [email protected] <[email protected]>.

 

Washington Geological Survey’s re-launches award program

DNR logo

The Surface Mine Reclamation Program of the Washington Geological Survey (WGS) re-launched the Surface Mine Reclamation Awards Program in December.

The awards are intended to honor individuals, miners, operators, companies, or government agencies performing exemplary surface mine reclamation or related research in Washington.

Nomination form (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

For more information, see the Washington State Surface Mine Reclamation Awards webpage [ [link removed] ]. If you have questions, contact Ben Stanton, Regulatory Geologist / Surface Mine Reclamation Field Manager, at [email protected].



*Upcoming events*

Regional Planners’ Forums

Commerce presents the Regional Planners’ Forums [ [link removed] ] in partnership with the Planning Association of Washington and Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association.

These forums offer a free opportunity for planners, officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, share ideas and receive updates from state and federal agencies.

*Upcoming Planners’ Forums*

Eastern Planners’ Forum - 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28


* Register for the forum (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]
* Download the forum flyer (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

 

Short Course on Local Planning

The Short Course on Local Planning offers an overview of land use planning laws in Washington and an introduction to comprehensive planning under the Growth Management Act. All courses are online, free and open to the public.

*Upcoming Short Courses*


* 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 [ [link removed] ]
* 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 [ [link removed] ]
* 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 [ [link removed] ]

 








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