February 2025 Government Affairs Report

City of Lacey

Comprehensive Plan/Open House Summary- February 12, 2025

• Attendance & Engagement: 65 people attended, with positive feedback from both staff and attendees. Most heard about the event through social media or the Lacey Life
• Zoning Discussions: Attendees found discussions on zoning, commercial vs. residential areas, transit, and traffic helpful. Suggestions included adding landmarks to maps and providing forms for concerns. People appreciated early involvement in planning.
• Key Takeaways: Residents value community engagement. Experienced individuals desire nearby amenities like medical services, markets, and hardware stores, while younger attendees prefer local work opportunities with accessible transit options.
• Comprehensive Plan Online, will be available to review online mid-March: org

Summary of Legislative & Land Use Updates

• Land Use & Growth: Ensures adequate land for housing, jobs, and public purposes over 20 years while aligning with county-wide planning policies. Strategies aim to reduce vehicle miles and promote physical activity.
• Land Capacity: The Thurston Regional Planning Council confirms enough land for projected growth. The goal is to have 72% of housing within a half mile of city centers (currently at 57%). Middle housing (duplexes, triplexes) can help increase capacity.
• Zoning & Development: Focuses on identifying buildable land while protecting sensitive areas. There is growing interest in mixed-use development. A proposal suggests separating zoning and land use maps for efficiency, with zoning amendments limited to once per year.
• Future Land Use Alternatives:
  • Current Conditions: Simplifies zoning categories.
  • Residential Expansion: Supports additional housing.
  • Commercial Expansion: Maintains key commercial zones and transport corridors.
• Urban Growth & Environment: Some sensitive areas may be removed from urban growth boundaries. Challenges include suburban lots with wells and septic systems.

Middle Housing in Lacey - Summary

Regulations & Compliance

• As a tier two city, Lacey must allow at least two middle housing units per lot and up to four if one is affordable.
• Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, and more.
• Lacey must adopt six of nine middle housing types to comply with state regulations.
• Currently, Lacey permits cottage housing, townhomes, duplexes, and triplexes in low-density areas.

Community Survey (2024)

• Conducted in two phases (November & Summer 2024) to assess housing priorities.
• Promoted via social media and mailers to 3,000 properties eligible for middle housing.
• Received 361 responses, with most respondents being homeowners, older adults, and higher-income earners.

Public Sentiment on Housing Types

• Cottage Housing (3.24 stars): Most favored due to small-scale design and existing acceptance.
• Townhomes (2.94 stars): Liked for private entrances and traditional appearance.
• Fourplexes (2.9 stars): Mixed support; some openness, but concerns exist.
• Stacked Flats (2.49 stars), Courtyard Apartments (2.5 stars): Moderately supported.
• Fiveplexes (2.32 stars) & Sixplexes (2.21 stars): Least favored; larger housing types met with more resistance.
• Building Heights: Three- and four-story structures received more negative feedback than positive.

Key Concerns & Themes

• Neighborhood Compatibility: Concerns about integrating higher-density housing with existing neighborhoods.
• Parking & Infrastructure: Parking shortages and lack of infrastructure (sidewalks, utilities) in older areas.
• Affordability vs. Middle Housing: Middle housing does not guarantee affordability but promotes smaller, cost-effective units.
• Economic & Legislative Factors: High construction costs may slow middle housing development. State mandates override local concerns about parking and density.

 

Staff Recommendations & Next Steps

• Adopt Fourplexes & Stacked Flats to meet housing goals.
• Draft new zoning codes in compliance with state law.
• Address parking & infrastructure concerns through legislative advocacy.
• Continue community discussions on housing integration and impact.

City of Tumwater

Climate Resilience Update

• Adaptation involves adjusting to climate changes to reduce risks to valued assets, including people.
• Climate resilience is the continuous process of preparing for and adapting to climate changes to minimize negative impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities.
• Passive survivability in buildings ensures they maintain safe temperatures during power outages, reducing energy consumption and demand on local infrastructure.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction

• Global warming is already locked in for the next 30 years, with an expected temperature rise of 3.3°C.

Burying Power Lines

• New developments require underground power lines, but funding is needed to bury existing ones.
• The initiative aims for resilience where full burial isn’t feasible.

Funding Uncertainty

• State and federal deficits create uncertainty in securing funding for climate projects.

Air Conditioning & Energy Consumption

• Mandating air conditioning in all homes could increase electricity demand.

Redevelopment vs. Remodeling

• Clarification is needed on whether "redevelopment" refers to large-scale projects or smaller remodels.

2025 City of Tumwater Comprehensive Plan Update: Link

Thurston County Planning Commission

• Staff presented a full draft of the Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Commission on February 5, 2025. The Planning Commission has reviewed all chapters and will develop additional feedback to incorporate into a public hearing draft before releasing draft materials for public comment.
  • Thurston 2045, Open House and Public Hearing
  • Wednesday, April 23, 6pm-9pm
  • Saturday, April 26, 10am-2pm
  • Comprehensive Plan Update Project: Thurston 2045
  • Sign Up for Updates: Link
  • Comment on Thurston 2045: Link