Planning Commission

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION July 22, 2025 CONVENE: 7:01 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Elizabeth Robbins, Vice Chair Brandon Staff and Commissioners Terry Kirkpatrick, Sandra Nelson, Grace Edwards and Gina Kotek Excused: Commissioner Nelida Daniels Staff: Housing and Land Use Planner Erika Smith-Erickson and Associate Planner Dana Bowers CHANGES TO THE The Chair moved the Manager’s Report to follow the AGENDA: Commissioners’ reports. COMMISSIONERS’ Chair Robbins reported that closing the meeting does not require REPORT: official action if it happens after the commission has finished discussing the agenda items. Commissioner Edwards noted that she will be absent from the meeting on August 26, 2025. MANAGER’S REPORT: Planner Bowers gave the Manager’s report stating that the Management Team was provided with a final presentation from the Community Survey which provided valuable information about community priorities. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment. 2025 DEVELOPMENT Planner Bowers presented on Future Land Use Maps and shared CODE UPDATE: the findings of the Buildable Lands Report from 2018. TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION–JULY 22, 2025 1  • Chair Robbins made recommendations to increase connections between the proposed designations and their densities. • Commissioner Kirkpatrick asked what the new density would provide for a vacancy rate for 80% AMI housing. • Chair Robbins requested more information regarding the data that informs Buildable Lands Report and populations and employment projections. • Commissioner Kirkpatrick asked about the flood zone areas and zoning near the new 5 story multi-family construction project on Tyee Drive SW. • Vice Chair Staff asked about proposed future land use designations and land uses on property zoned Light Industrial. 2025 Planner Smith-Erickson presented the Housing Displacement COMPREHENSIVE Analysis and comprehensive plan recommendations provided by PLAN PERIODIC consultants Uncommon Bridges. UPDATE – HOUSING • Chair Robbins had some questions about how the DISPLACEMENT consultants calculated the data. ANALYSIS AND • Vice Chair Staff shared that his impression is that families COMPREHENSIVE with young children may also consider the quality of PLAN public education when making choices about where they RECOMMENDATIONS live. • Commissioner Nelson noted resources available at the Education Service District for the Capitol Region. • Chair Robbins reminded the Commission that selection of schools has at times been more related to the makeup of students than academics. Chair Robins asked for more information on the schools and test scores for Tumwater School District. • Chair Robbins asked about the efficacy of the policies and recommended labelling them to identify which ones are community priorities. • Chair Robbins had a comment on the most prominent risk type for displacement and asked about the omission of homeowners. • Commissioner Kirkpatrick had comments on the policy review and thinks the proposed language is suggesting housing is more important than trees. • Chair Robbins asked staff to include her in the response to Commissioner Kirkpatrick and concerns with tree TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION–JULY 22, 2025 2  preservation and housing or to receive a follow up at a future meeting. • Commissioner Staff stated concerns about commercial and industrial designations in our prairie and undeveloped areas. • Planner Erickson closed the presentation stating they will follow up on the errors within the final report and how staff will address concerns moving forward and follow up with specific comments and concerns from the Commission. NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 26, 2025. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business Chair Robbins adjournedthe meeting at 8:42 p.m. Prepared by Erika Smith-Erickson, Housing and Land Use Planner and Dana Bowers, Associate Planner TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION–JULY 22, 2025 3