Lacey City Council reviews comprehensive plan update

The Lacey City Council held a work session to discuss the city's comprehensive plan update and tackle a wide range of topics, including land use, housing, transportation and climate change for the next decade. 

The meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, saw active participation from the city council and staff, as well as the planning commission. 

"We have a unique opportunity to have a good discussion about our comprehensive plan, which is one of our major work program items," said Community Economic Development Director Vanessa Dolby.

One of the biggest changes under review is the city’s future land use maps, which will determine zoning and development patterns for years to come.  

Senior Planner Hans Shepherd presented different mapping options that will help guide decisions on where new housing, businesses and green spaces should be located.  

The alternatives ranged from maintaining the status quo to prioritizing either residential or commercial development.  

"These are really created to generate conversation and have discussions. If I'm looking forward and trying to project what will likely happen, it will be some blend of all three of these that's the end result,” Shepherd said. 

While some areas are poised for higher-density development, officials say they want to ensure growth does not come at the expense of livability. 

Housing remains one of the most pressing issues in Lacey, and the plan aims to address affordability concerns.  

Lacey Housing Coordinator Jennifer Adams detailed updates to the housing element of the plan, which now incorporates state-mandated policies from recent legislation. 

The goal is to expand housing options while preventing displacement, ensuring that residents of all income levels have access to stable and affordable living conditions. 

“These include things, such as safe, affordable housing, housing that is thoughtfully planned for neighborhoods and neighborhoods that are functional, appealing, well located and certainly that strengthen community connections,” Adams said. 

Transportation was another key focus of the meeting, with the plan outlining new state requirements around active transportation, multimodal planning and climate-related metrics. 

Steven Goodsell, of Fehr & Peers, outlined proposed updates to Lacey’s road network, pedestrian walkways and bike lanes. 

City officials are looking at ways to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle dependence by encouraging alternative transportation options. That includes improvements to public transit, bike-friendly infrastructure and safer pedestrian pathways. 

Council member Robin Vazquez highlighted the need to address high-stress areas for pedestrians and cyclists.  

“I really like the framing of the level of traffic stress as a way to evaluate what we're doing for our transportation element,” Vazquez said. 

“I think we should use that and talk to people about that as a way of making plans for complete streets,” she added. 

City leaders also discussed how Lacey can better prepare for climate change.

Linsey Fields, the city’s climate and sustainability coordinator, presented strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resiliency.  

“We should be working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, but we should also be planning for a future that might look different than it has in the past in terms of climate hazards,” Fields said. 

These updates align with the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan, which outlines regional efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and protect communities from climate-related challenges.  

Sustainability, as explained by Fields, will be a key theme woven throughout the plan, touching everything from land use to transportation and housing policies. 

The city is now moving into the next phase of the planning process, which will include further public engagement and review sessions.  

In April, the city council will begin reviewing draft policies for transportation, climate and utilities, with a final version of the plan expected to be released in June.  

A public hearing is scheduled for July, giving residents another opportunity to weigh in before the final adoption process begins.