Planners' Forums
The Planners’ Forums are a combined effort on behalf of Department of Commerce, the Planning Association of Washington, and the Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association to educate and support planners throughout our state with new and important topics to planning.
The Planners’ Forums offer 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 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.
Forum Schedule
Links will be updated as materials and zoom details are made available:
Eastern Planners’ Forum
Winter Planners’ Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Click for current agenda (PDF).
Zoom Link
Current and past forum materials.
Click on the following link to see a recording of the Winter Planners’ Forum.
Eastern Forum CM credits:
Northwest Planners’ Forum
Winter Planners’ Forum
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
In-person Meeting (details in agenda)
Click for the current agenda (PDF).
Current and past forum materials (PDF).
Click on the following link to see a recording of the Fall Planners’ Forum.
Northwest Forum CM credits:
Peninsula Planners’ Forums
Summer Planners’ Forum
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Click for the current agenda (PDF).
Zoom link
Current and past forum materials.
Peninsula Forum CM credits:
Southwest Planners’ Forums
Winter Planners’ Forum
Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 9 – 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Click for the current agenda (PDF).
Zoom link
Current and past forum materials.
Click on the following link to see a recording of the SW Planners’ Forum.
Southwest Forum CM credits:
Planners' Forums on Equity and Inclusion
Fall 2021 NW 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 in their planning work. Click here to watch the forum.
Key Topics
- Growth Management
- Governor's Smart Communities Awards Program
- Collaborative Roadmap Phase III
- Climate Program
- Planning for Housing
- GMA Laws and Rules
- GMA Periodic Updates
- Growth Management Grants
- Growth Management Topics
- Guidebooks and Resources
- Civilian-Military Compatibility
- Defense Community Compatibility
- Regional Planners' Forums
- Short Course on Local Planning
- Submitting Materials to the State for Review
Need Help?
Eastern Washington
Ben Serr, Eastern Regional Manager
Ben.Serr@commerce.wa.gov
509-724-1699
Northwest Washington
Lexine Long, Senior Planner
Lexine.Long@commerce.wa.gov
360-480-4498
Peninsula
Matt Ojennus, Senior Planner
Matthew.Ojennus@commerce.wa.gov
360-292-3435
Southwest Washington
Catherine McCoy, Senior Planner
Catherine.McCoy@commerce.wa.gov
360-280-3147