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Thurston County Compliance with the Growth Management Act
On July 20, 2005, the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings
Board (Hearings Board) ruled that Thurston County’s Comprehensive Plan
and development regulations do not comply with the 1990 Washington State
Growth Management Act (GMA).
After the Hearings Board’s ruling, Thurston County went to work
immediately. The Board of County Commissioners placed a temporary
moratorium on new subdivisions in unincorporated areas to keep all their
options open and allow staff members to work with a fixed target as they
diagnose the situation and study solutions. The Board of County
Commissioners also directed staff to begin work to achieve compliance
with the GMA. The Board of County Commissioners directed staff to focus
on issues identified by the Hearings Board related to:
The Hearings Board has given Thurston County until May 30, 2007 to achieve compliance for the Rural Lands projects; and until August 28, 2007 to achieve compliance for the Urban Growth Area Project.
On September 12, 2005, Thurston County appealed the Hearings Board’s
decision. On April 3, 2007 the Washington State Court of Appeals issued
its opinion which both reversed and sustained the Hearing Board’s July
20, 2005 decision. On April 5, 2007 the Board of County Commissioners
held an executive session to be briefed by legal council regarding the
Court of Appeals recent decision. To read the entire Court of Appeals
decision in PDF format click
here.
After being briefed on the Court of Appeals decision the Board of County
Commissioners decided to proceed to public hearing with the following
projects: LAMIRD (Limited Areas of More Intensive Rural Development),
Long Term Agricultural Lands Designation Criteria, and Rural Rezoning.
Following the public hearings held on these projects Resolutions and
Ordinances amending the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map,
and Development Regulations were adopted (Please view each projects
specific webpage, listed above, for exact dates and copies of the
Resolutions and Ordinances.) Long Term Agricultural Lands Designation
Criteria and the Rural Rezoning Amendments go before the Western
Washington Growth Management Hearings Board (WWGMHB) for a compliance
hearing on Friday September 21st. The LAMIRD project is scheduled to go
before the WWGMHB for a compliance hearing on October 15th. Staff is
continuing work on the Urban Growth Area evaluation and potential
resizing project. The moratorium is still in effect for some parcels
within the Urban Growth Area, and will likely remain so until that
project is completed. These matters will be addressed in the future.
Clearly, a tremendous amount of work must be accomplished to achieve
compliance with the Hearings Board's ruling. The challenge involves
trying to meet legal obligations and pursue a long-term vision for
Thurston County while recognizing the rights and aspirations of
individual property owners.
This website provides information about the Hearings Board’s ruling and
the County’s response. The Development Services Department further
invites you to share your ideas and knowledge as the important
responsibility of achieving compliance with the GMA is addressed. Use
the left-hand navigation bar to learn more about the four key efforts
that are underway, to find out about public involvement efforts, and to
find answers to frequently asked questions. Please visit this website
often for updates.
Contact Us
Interested Parties: If you would like to be added to our Web Mail list, please click here. Staff contacts: Jeremy Davis, Associate Planner. Phone: (360) 754-3355, x7010 / E-mail: davisj@co.thurston.wa.us; or Olivia Story, Assistant Planner, (360) 754-3355 ext. 5477 / E-mail: storyo@co.thurston.wa.us.
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