I received the following response from Councilmember Cruver regarding the new housing zoning changes for the Comprehensive Plan.

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Thank you for your vigilance on this.  I wanted to be at that meeting but had a prior commitment.  I’ll see if I can get clarity with staff, as my understanding is that reducing categories is to make the code easier to understand and be more logical.  In some ways, we have boxed ourselves into so many categories, that we stifle economic development.  I agree with the QR code.  

As for PSRC and the state, they are correct.  The county is an arm of the state and must do what they pass.  Note HB 1220 cited below.  PSRC holds the keys to federal transportation dollars and must sign off on the comp plan, otherwise we will not score well trying to get grants.

When researching the ordinance for siting stability sites (O2024-540s), scheduled for final next Tuesday, the information below is part of an email I sent to someone else’s question.  Note:  the STEP program is referenced in the ordinance.  The council chair is driving the comp plan policies to be the most restrictive possible.

The ordinance states the amendments to code are consistent with the WA State Department of Commerce draft STEP (shelters, transitional housing, emergency housing, and permanent supportive housing) Model Ordinance issued in May 2024, a 36 page document I was not familiar with. 

A model ordinance is shared on page 17 of the draft STEP; on page 35 you can see a list of the influential members of the Advisory Committee, chosen to “inform” the model ordinance, who have already regulated types of STEP in their communities, or were part of the development of HB 1220 (in 2021), or overall housing policy development in the state. 

Reviewing STEP led me to other documents pertaining to the state’s homeless plans, such as the WA State Consolidated Plan 2020-2024, a five-year housing and community development plan required by HUD to compete for grants, A Blueprint for an Equitable Future:  The 10-year Plan to Dismantle Poverty in WA State, and the Permanent Supportive Housing Toolkit. 

Then there is the Draft State of WA Homeless Housing Strategic Plan 2024-2029, which describes the specific actions the state will take over the next 5 years to work toward the vision of everyone experiencing homelessness and housing instability having swift and equitable access to stable housing that meets their needs.  This document outlines the vision:  Everyone experiencing homelessness and housing instability has swift and equitable access to stable housing that meets their needs.  The mission is for Commerce to foster relationships with stakeholders and communities most impacted by homelessness to strengthen a collaborative, transparent, effective, and trauma-informed response system that centers racial equity.  Guiding principles and 5 objectives are listed, as well as aligning policies with federal strategies.

I’m not sure if the information above can answer any of your concerns, but it is all related, I believe.  Also, in CDEC next Monday afternoon (1:30), PPW will present on CAOs pertaining to the comp plan, I believe it will be similar to what they presented at my in-district meeting.  I don’t have the agenda yet, but that is what I remember.

I’ll let you know what I hear from staff about the reasoning for the zone changes and your concerns with the incompleteness of the websites.  State law dictates when the Comp Plan must be complete, not the exec’s office.