Thursday, October 1, 2026
An updated comprehensive plan received the go-ahead from the Tumwater Planning Commission after a public hearing on the issue.
The planning commission made the decision at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10. But before the plan heads to the city council for further review some suggestions from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are going to be added.
The comprehensive plan serves as the city’s road map for accommodating growth. The city is updating the plan — last done in 2016 — as part of the Washington State Growth Management Act, which requires comprehensive plans to be renewed every 10 years.
The update would ensure the plan reflects the community’s current priorities and aligns with updated figures for population, housing and employment. It also incorporates new and updated state regulations, such as a new climate element.
Other elements focus on conservation, housing, land use, land for public purposes, transportation and utilities. Each element provides goals, policies and specific implementation actions related to the subject.
The plan also includes an introductory chapter describing the goals of the plan and detailing how it was developed.
Before voting on the plan, the commission held a public hearing, which two people attended. Both individuals were appreciative of specific sections of the plan, including a representative of WDFW, who had sent the city a letter containing suggestions related to the plan’s conservation and land use elements.
Brad Medrud, the city’s community development director, walked the commission through the department’s suggestions, generally supporting many of them while pushing back on others.
Medrud said they would support adding language to avoid — to the extent possible — the development of critical areas or otherwise ensure “no net loss” requirements prior to development.
He said staff also supports adjusting the language of certain policies to protect and enhance degraded drainage systems, as well as to require the full mitigation protocol for the alteration and protection of lakes.
Staff chose not to adopt other recommendations. One such suggestion focused on connecting fish and wildlife habitat corridors, which Medrud said staff found to be expensive and not something that could be done without substantial effort.
He added that staff recommends sticking to the current language, which states that such habitat corridors would be identified and enhanced.
Staff accepted a suggestion to protect and enhance riparian areas, but not their “associated open spaces,” which Medrud said is not well-defined.
Once staff have incorporated the agreed unpon suggestions, the plan would be forwarded to the city council for furter review and adoption.
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Dogmom
Two things: why can't there b more detailed information on what the Planning Commission Agenda was going to b discussing & pushing ahead on. Also, I would hope that when it does go to the Tumwater City Council, they wait until the new Council is in place.
Friday, November 21, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
Central planning doesn't work.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Southsoundguy can't complete a rational thought.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
Southsoundguy
That is a single complete thought. I don't know what you're missing. Perhaps you can't assemble a complete thought.
Monday, November 24, 2025 Report this