HomeMy WebLinkAboutUPDATE re Comp Plan 2025 Periodic Review JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AFTERNOON SESSION AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Joel Peterson, Associate Planner, Community Development
Chelsea Pronovost, Interim Director, Community Development
DATE: September 8, 2025
SUBJECT: Status of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
The Department of Community Development is providing an update on the 2025
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review("Periodic Review"), required under Washington's
Growth Management Act (GMA). The GMA(RCW 36.70A) requires counties and cities to
periodically review and update their comprehensive plans and development regulations to
ensure they remain consistent with state law, reflect current population forecasts, and address
changing community needs. A comprehensive plan serves as the county's long-range policy
guide for land use, housing, economic development, transportation, climate resiliency, and
other key issues.
As part of this requirement, Jefferson County is conducting a Periodic Review that evaluates •
and updates policies, goals, and land use designations to align with current conditions and
growth forecasts. This work has been supported by BERK Consulting, input from the public,
and review by the Planning Commission. The update process ensures that the Countywide
Planning Policies, population projections, and local land use decisions are coordinated across
jurisdictions, consistent with state requirements, and reflective of community priorities.
At this stage, a hearing draft of the Comprehensive Plan update has been developed and is
currently under review by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. Following legal review,the draft
will proceed through the final steps of Planning Commission hearing, BoCC review and
hearing, and adoption by the second week of December, 2025 per ch. 18.45 JCC.
ANALYSIS:
This update provides the BoCC with an overview of key topics under consideration in the
2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. The project is scheduled to move from Planning
Commission review to Board of County Commissioners review in early November.
Pursuant to the Growth Management Act(RCW 36.70A.130), Jefferson County is required to
complete its Comprehensive Plan update by December 31, 2025. This statutory deadline
ensures that the plan remains consistent with state law, reflects updated growth forecasts, and
aligns with the next scheduled review ten years later.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this presentation. It is solely intended to provide the
Board of County Commissioners with a status update on the Comprehensive Plan Periodic
Review.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners receive this update on the 2025
Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and ask any questions they may have. No action is
requested of the Board at this time.
REVIEWED BY:
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Jo Peters, County Administrator Date