Growth Management Act Compliance

Yelm / Thurston County Joint Plan
Population Update -- Timeline

Background Timeline

On December 20, 2006, Thurston County approved Resolution No. 13734 amending the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan and the joint plan with the City of Yelm which is included in the City of Yelm Comprehensive Plan and Joint Plan with Thurston County. This resolution included updated population figures.

On February 16, 2007, a petition was filed with the Hearings Board contesting the portions of this resolution dealing with updates to the City of Yelm population figures and the associated size of the Yelm Urban Growth Area.

On March 3, 2008, Thurston County adopted Resolution No. 14034 and Ordinance No. 14035 amending the Thurston County Comprehensive Plan to change the Thurston County Urban Growth Area and population figures for Thurston County and the cities within the County. The amendment did not specifically amend any of the joint plans or sub-area plans. This amendment was an effort to comply with a 2005 Hearings Board Order which found the Thurston County Urban Growth Area out of compliance with the Growth Management Act, among other issues. Background on this effort can be found on the GMA Compliance page.

On May 29, 2008, the Hearings Board issued an Order Finding Compliance in 1000 Friends of Washington v. Thurston County Case No. 05-2-0002, that with the adoption of Resolution No. 14034 and Ordinance No. 14035, Thurston County’s Urban Growth Area was compliant with the Growth Management Act. This includes the urban growth area for the City of Yelm.

On July 28, 2008, the Hearings Board issued an order that generally found:

• Resolution No. 13734 approved land supplies in excess of what was needed within the City of Yelm Urban Growth Area
  
• The Hearings Board Order Finding Compliance in 1000 Friends of Washington v. Thurston County, Case No. 05-2-0002 regarding Resolution No. 14034 and Ordinance No. 14035 does not preclude an appeal of Resolution No. 13734 and its compliance with the Growth Management Act
  
• Thurston County and the City must take action to bring the City of Yelm Comprehensive Plan and Joint Plan with Thurston County into compliance.

The full decision can be viewed here:

Adams Cove Group and Futurewise v. Thurston County, et al Final Decision and Order, Case No. 07-2-0005

On March 16, 2009, the City of Yelm Planning Commission held a public hearing. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the changes to the population figures proposed in the City of Yelm staff report.

Current Status

This amendment has been deferred until the seven year update. Please check back for updates if there is a change in this timeline.

Return to Yelm-Thurston County Joint Plan Population Update home page.

Contact Us

Interested Parties: If you would like to be added to our Web Mail list, please click here. Staff contact: Jeremy Davis Phone: (360) 754-3355, x7010 E-mail: davisj@co.thurston.wa.us.