The Council’s Community Development and Environment Committee (CDEC) will hold its first public hearing on the proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan update on Monday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m. in the Pierce County Council Chambers. 

The CDEC will likely continue its deliberations on the Comprehensive Plan update to its Monday, Nov. 18 meeting to allow time for additional committee amendments and public comment.

What: Public Hearing on Proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update
When: Monday, Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Pierce County Council Chambers, 930 Tacoma Ave. South Rm 1046 in Tacoma or remotely via Zoom.

Remote participation is available by calling (253) 215-8782 and using Webinar ID: 928-4334-3887 or this link.

The Committee will consider POLICY amendments to the Comprehensive Plan update and 20-year Capital Facilities Plan at the Nov. 4 public hearing. Pending Committee action on a continuance, the Committee will consider MAP amendments at the Monday, Nov. 14 public hearing. This includes Urban Growth Area (UGA) amendments. The goal is to move the Comprehensive Plan update out of Committee on Nov. 18 

The Comprehensive Plan update is up for final adoption at the Council’s Tuesday, Dec. 3 Council meeting; however, it is anticipated this will get continued to the Tuesday, Dec. 10 Council meeting to provide additional time for councilmembers to review and make amendments and community members to provide their input. 

Background

The Comprehensive Plan provides a framework that guides the day-to-day decisions of County staff and elected officials related to land use, housing, transportation, capital facilities, climate change, and the environment. The Washington State Growth Management Act directs cities and counties to conduct a periodic review and update of their Comprehensive Plan every 10 years.

For Pierce County, the periodic review is this year, and the Council’s CDEC has led the legislative effort. 

You can view the proposed Comprehensive Plan update, find materials, and stay current on upcoming meetings at piercecountywa.gov/950/Comprehensive-Plan.

Critical Areas Ordinance

The Council is also considering amendments to the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). This is scheduled to come before the Council on Tuesday, Nov. 12; however, it is also anticipated that this will get continued to the Council’s Tuesday, Dec. 3 Council meeting. 

Critical areas regulations are periodically updated and intended to balance development needs with environmental protection in Pierce County. Proposed Ordinance No. O2024-553 – the CAO – emphasizes the principle of “no net loss,” which means that any impact on critical areas must be avoided, minimized, or offset through restoration and protection measures. 

The updates focus on preserving critical areas such as wetlands, aquifer recharge zones, fish and wildlife habitats, flood hazard areas, and geologically hazardous areas. The goal is to prevent any net loss of the ecological functions and values of these areas while allowing development. The ordinance also includes updated definitions for key terms, such as “No Net Loss, Critical Areas,” “Aquifer Recharge Area,” and several types of water classifications. These new definitions are intended to help clarify regulatory expectations and protections.

The Council will communicate regularly regarding opportunities to provide input on a final legislative package for the Comprehensive Plan update. 

“Land use planning is so important to get right. The decisions we make today in this Comprehensive Plan update will guide how our County will grow well into the future,” said Robyn Denson, Pierce County Councilmember for District 7 and Chair of the CDEC. “These decisions impact how and where we grow, which is important for our natural and built environment and highly impacts our overall quality of life. The community interest and engagement in this work has been exciting and appreciated; I’m happy people are taking a proactive role in shaping our communities. “You can find a detailed timeline of the Committee’s work this year for the Comprehensive Plan update in our latest Council Compass blog entry.