All Washington cities and counties must fully review and update their comprehensive plans every 10 years. Our last periodic review was in 2016. Port Townsend must update its plan by June 30, 2025, reviewing its land use, housing, transportation, capital facilities, parks, and economic development policies. There are several new legal requirements in this update, including:

• Specific rules to make housing more affordable, including requirements to enable housing development serving all income levels, described as income “bands.”

• A requirement to permit accessory dwelling units in all residential zones, something Port Townsend has already accomplished.

• New rules to prevent displacement of disadvantaged populations and end zoning-based discrimination, requiring a close look at capital facilities planning and local decision making.

• Requirements to evaluate land capacity and demonstrate land scarcity before proposing expansion of urban growth areas.

• Mandates to invite federally recognized Native American tribes into the process, ensuring an effective opportunity to include tribal interests in local policy.

The community’s voice is an essential part of this process. The plan will reflect the public’s aspirations, understanding how a community vision can capture the community’s spirit and also comply with the new planning requirements.

Much of this work is funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.