State to host community workshop on civilian-military compatible land use planning Oct. 22 in Ellensburg

Department of Commerce seeking input to develop guidebook that will help communities plan for growth, development around military installations

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce is drafting a Washington State Guidebook on Military and Community Compatibility as a technical resource for local governments to use in planning for development near military installations. The first of several community workshops to capture opinions and comments for the project is Monday, Oct. 22 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Kittitas Valley Event Center, Armory Hall, 901 E. 7th Ave., Ellensburg, WA, 98926.

Commerce teamed with MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design LLP to draft the guidebook, due for final publication in June 2019. The guidebook is intended to foster awareness and understanding around the topic of civilian-military land use compatibility, provide technical guidance to planning professionals, and offer useful tools to help community members, local governments and the military work together on local planning.

“The military and defense sector is an important driver of Washington’s economy, supporting over 111,000 jobs and $12.3 billion in economic impact throughout the state,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “Robust public engagement is crucial to ensure that growth and development in and around U.S Department of Defense and state military installations takes place in a manner that benefits communities for years to come.”

Commerce will publish a draft guidebook for public comment in early spring 2019. To prepare the draft, the project team is working with local partners to host seven community workshops around the state with residents, businesses, local leaders, planners and others about what resources and information would be most useful to them. The workshops are an opportunity for participants to offer input on guidebook content and to discuss lessons learned or best practices from local experience and community planning. Feedback from the workshop will not influence or respond to military activities, but will be focused on how concerns can be addressed through the guidebook.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fairchild Air Force Base, Yakima Training Center, Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Station Everett, Naval Air Station Whidbey, Outlying Field Coupeville, Manchester Fuel Depot, Naval Magazine Indian Island and other locations are referenced in the project.

When completed, the guidebook will introduce compatible land use for a large audience, followed by in-depth technical guidance on civilian-military compatibility for planning professionals. The guidebook organizes topics in three main parts:

Part 1: A Citizen’s Guide to the Principles of Compatibility Planning

  • Balancing Community Vision and Military Mission
  • Balancing Growth and Change with Compatibility
  • Citizen’s Guide to Compatibility and Planning in Washington State

Part 2: A Technical Guide to the Principles of Compatibility Planning

  • Compatibility Planning Process
  • Coordinated Planning Goals
  • Growth Management Act (GMA) Goals, Comprehensive Plans and Compatibility
  • Areas of Conflict and Opportunity
  • Compatibility Programs and Strategies

Part 3: Implementation Toolkit for Compatibility Planning

  • Policy Quick-Reference Guide
  • Worksheets and Examples
  • Consultation Quick-Reference Guide
  • Compatibility Glossary

An online survey is also available to gain broad input during this first phase of the project. A draft guidebook will be published for formal public comment in early spring 2019. To stay informed on upcoming outreach events and other developments related to the Washington State Guidebook on Military and Community Compatibility, please subscribe to our mailing list.

For more information, visit the program webpage: http://bit.ly/2pu0Nxb

Media contact:

Penny Thomas, Commerce Communications, (206) 256-6106

Program contact:

Deanah Watson, Associate Planner/Program Manager, (509) 290-4754

Local Contacts:

Lindsey Ozbolt, Kittitas County, (509) 962-7046

Noelle Madera, Yakima County, (509) 574-2300