Pierce County released the Draft Comprehensive Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public review and comment by February 26. Members of the public are invited to provide input on how to plan for the next 20 years of growth in unincorporated Pierce County.
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, 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. This periodic update provides an opportunity for the County to ensure County policies and implementing regulations are consistent with federal, state and regional policies, and incorporate scientific advancements.
To better understand the benefits and trade-offs of potential changes, Pierce County has studied three options for the future:
- “No action” is our “business as usual” scenario.
- “Centers and corridors” builds on existing plans to support more affordable housing by allowing more homes to be built in the urban areas of the County. It also takes steps to make our transportation more efficient and our community more resilient to climate change.
- “High-capacity transit” creates dense neighborhoods within a half mile of high-capacity transit lines. It would make bigger investments in different types of transportation and the preservation of rural areas and forests lands to help the County prepare for climate change.
Community members can learn more about the policies associated with each alternative and provide comment by going to PierceCountyWa.gov/CompPlanDrafts. Comments are accepted:
- via email to CompPlanUpdate@PierceCountyWa.gov.
- through the online open house.
- by mail or delivered in person to: Pierce County Planning & Public Works, ATTN: Long Range Planning, 2401 S. 35th St., Room 2, Tacoma, WA 98409.
- At virtual or in-person meetings around the County, listed on PierceCountyWa.gov/CompPlanDrafts.
Pierce County Planning and Public Works will use input received from the public and conversations with elected officials in Spring 2024 to combine elements of each of these options into a preferred alternative for the future. Direction on the preferred alternative by Council is tentatively scheduled for May 2024. Direction received on the preferred approach will guide the development of final documents for final decision and adoption.
About the Comprehensive Plan
The Pierce County Comprehensive Plan is a 20-year policy document that addresses growth in the unincorporated areas of Pierce County. The Comprehensive Plan’s periodic review must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. It is also the foundation for several community plans and capital facilities planning, which must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s policy framework.
