
The 2018 Planner’s Forum Annual Report is now available. Sixteen forums were held, providing training for 437 attendees.
A Planners’ Forum offers a unique opportunity – at no charge – for planners, planning commissioners, elected officials and community members to talk informally about local issues, to share ideas and to receive updates from state and federal agencies whose work may impact land use. The Planners’ Forums also satisfy requirements for credentialed planners toward professional development through advanced-level presentations provided by professionals on an array of timely and relevant planning subjects. Registration is not necessary for this daytime training.
The Washington State Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association collaboratively present the Regional Planners’ Forums. We are moving to a virtual format for all future 2020 Planners’ Forums, and offering at least one shortened Forum per month, with a mix of topics to cover both regional and state-wide interest. See the Forum Schedule for more information.
For previous Agendas and Handouts for Forums please see Box Regional Planning Forums folders listed below for each regional location.
Key Topics
Growth Management
Governor’s Smart Communities Awards Program
GMA Laws and Rules
GMA Periodic Update
Growth Management Grants
Growth Management Topics
Guidebooks and Resources
Civilian-Military Compatibility
Defense Community Compatibility
Regional Planners’ Forums
Sea-Tac Airport Effects Study
Short Course on Local Planning
Submitting Materials to the State for Review
Forum Schedule:
All Sections’ December Planners’ Forum
Monday, December 7th, 9:30-11:00 am – Virtual Meeting
Topic: Update on Growth Management Hearings Board Cases, Agenda with Zoom registration
Hosted by the Peninsula
Planners Forum
Monday, February 22nd, 1-4 pm – Virtual Meeting
Topic: Housing, Agenda forthcoming
Hosted by the Eastern Washington
Planners Forum
Wednesday, January 27th, 1-3:30 pm– Virtual Meeting
Topics: Shrubsteppe Management, Clean Energy Siting, and WSDOT Active Transportation Plan, Agenda with Zoom registration
Need Help?
Northwest Washington
Valerie Smith, Senior Planner
valerie.smith@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-3062
Peninsula
Gary Idleburg, Senior Planner
gary.idleburg@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-3045
Southwest Washington
Matt Ojennus, Senior Planner
matthew.ojennus@commerce.wa.gov
360-725-4047
Eastern Washington
Ben Serr, Senior Planner
benjamin.serr@commerce.wa.gov
509-724-1699
Fall South Sound Section Planners Forum
On Monday, September 28, Commerce and the South Sound Section of APA-WA held an evening planners’ forum on “Integrating Equity in Planning”. Alex Brennan, Executive Director of Futurewise, and Charles Patton, Equity Manager at the Puget Sound Regional Council, provided information on how their organizations are addressing equity and environmental justice into their planning work.
Watch the forum
Alex Brannan presentation
Charles Patton presentation