Zoning changes, UGA Boundary Expansion amendments proposed for the Thurston-Lacey Joint Plan

The Thurston County Planning Commission briefed the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on October 16, regarding the proposed updates to the Lacey Joint Plan, focusing on enhancing predictability and transparency for residents and property owners within the Urban Growth Area (UGA).

Thurston Associate Planner Leah Davis noted the importance of the joint plan in establishing a framework for future development code updates and maintaining consistency with other plans.

Davis said the proposed amendments include formatting changes, goals and policy updates, three site-specific land use and rezone requests, consolidation of Low-Density residential zoning, UGA boundary expansion for Greg Cuoio Park and GeoData Zoning Map Corrections.

Notable site-specific changes included:

• 9041 Pacific Avenue: The current zoning of this 6.77-acre area, designated as Neighborhood Commercial, is proposed for rezone to Moderate Density residential, allowing housing at a density of 6-12 units per acre.
• 9520 Steilacoom Road: The current zoning of this 14.95-acre site, characterized as Mineral Extraction due to its reclaimed gravel mine history, is proposed to be rezoned as Low Density residential, permitting single-family detached houses and townhouse developments at a density of 0-4 units per acre.
• 2427 Carpenter Road NE: 3.14 acres of a 12.12-acre parcel, currently zoned as Moderate Density residential, is proposed for rezone to Low Density residential.

Lacey also proposed a consolidation of zoning designations (Low Density 0-4 and Low Density 3-6) into a single low-density zone, Low Density 0-6 (LD 0-6), to align with existing city zoning standards, reflecting recommendations from the 2019 Affordable Housing Strategy and the 2021 Lacey Housing Action Plan.

Additionally, Lacey requested an expansion of 182 acres, which includes seven privately owned parcels, to be incorporated into Greg Cuoio Park.

“The goals, policies and recommendations of this update are the result of a multi-year community conversation and analysis of quality-of-life issues within our region,” wrote Lacey City Manager Rick Walk in a letter to the BOCC.

According to the staff report, the Lacey Joint Plan update is part of Comprehensive Plan amendments under Docket Item CPA-1, "Joint Plan Updates," with a priority of 4 out of 9 comprehensive plan amendments.

A public hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2023 to gather public input on the proposed updates. This hearing will provide an opportunity for public comments and feedback on the proposed changes to the Lacey Joint Plan.

This initiative stems from Memorandums of Understanding signed by the cities of Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey with Thurston County in 1988, 1995, and 1998, guiding cooperative planning efforts for development standards within their respective Urban Growth Areas. The Joint Plan with Lacey was adopted in 1995 and underwent a significant update in 2003.