Title
Approve the Land Use and Environment Committee 2026 Work Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the Land Use and Environment Committee 2026 Work Plan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the Land Use and Environment Committee 2026 Work Plan
Staff Contact:
Tim Smith AICP, Director, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.570.3915
Presenter(s):
Tim Smith AICP, Director, Community Planning and Economic Development
Background and Analysis:
Each year, the Land Use and Environment Committee (LUEC) adopts a work plan identifying the items it will consider. The attached draft 2026 LUEC Work Plan includes items carried forward from the Committee’s 2025 work plan, as well as items proposed in the draft 2026 work plans of the departments responsible for the work.
Climate Analysis:
This is a high-level summary of all the agenda items on the LUEC 2026 Work Plan. A more detailed analysis will be completed for each of the agenda items when they come before the LUEC.
Many of the agenda items in the proposed LUEC 2026 Work Plan include actions intended to specifically support climate action strategies. Many of the items focus on the transportation and land use sector by seeking and promoting ways for the City to accommodate future growth in denser land use patterns. Such patterns increase opportunities for residents to live closer to jobs and services, promoting non-automobile travel modes such as walking, biking and transit. These patterns also reduce urban sprawl and preserve forests and agriculture outside city boundaries.
Equity Analysis:
This is a high-level summary of all the agenda items on the LUEC 2026 Work Plan. A more detailed analysis will be completed for each of the agenda items when they come before the LUEC.
Proposed agenda items will generally benefit existing and new community members and businesses with increased property values, greater stability in rental housing, opportunities to be closer to jobs and services with concurrent opportunities for reduced transportation costs, increased housing supply and variety, new programs to enhance energy efficiency of commercial buildings and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Some community members may be burdened by additional construction near their home, likely increases in property taxes, and potentially more occupied on-street parking.
There are existing income, race, and homeowner/renter disparities between neighborhoods that could be exacerbated by some of the agenda items. To avoid this, intentional examination of these possibilities must be included, as well as specific actions to prevent or reverse those disparities.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The agenda items on the Committee’s work plan are typically of interest to neighborhoods and the community.
Financial Impact:
Staff work on all items on the draft LUEC 2026 Work Plan is included in the City’s adopted 2026 budget. Individual work program items may have additional financial impacts that will be identified during the LUEC discussion.
Options:
1. Recommend approval of the LUEC 2026 Work Plan to City Council.
2. Recommend approval of the LUEC 2026 Work Plan to City Council with changes.
3. Do not recommend approval of the LUEC 2026 Work Plan to City Council.
Attachments:
Draft LUEC 2026 Work Plan