Planning Commission
Regular MeetingTumwater, WA · September 9, 2025
Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION
September 9, 2025
CONVENE: 7:02 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
Others: Food System Plan– Consultant, Rebecca Potasnik
CHANGES TO THE The Chair removed the approval of meeting minutes from
AGENDA: September 24, 2024, and October 8, 2024. Director’s report was
moved to the last agenda item.
APPROVAL OF THE Commissioner Staff moved, seconded by Commissioner
MINUTES: Kotek, to approve the minutes of November 12, 2024 as
published. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS’ Commissioner Nelson applauded Smith-Erickson for her
REPORT: presentation to City Council on the Housing Element and Vice
Chair Staff reported about Tumwater Valley Golf Course securing
a 3-year tour with youth golfers.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment received.
RESOLUTION NO. Planner Bowers introduced Resolution No. R2025-015, Food
R2025-015, FOOD System Plan Update and requested to set a public hearing for it
SYSTEM PLAN: at the next Planning Commission meeting on September 23,
TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION–JULY 22, 2025 1
2025. Commissioners discussed conflicts between preserving
land for agriculture and land needed for housing.
MOTION: Vice Chair Staff moved, seconded by Commissioner
Kirkpatrick, to set a public hearing for Tuesday, September 23,
2025 to receive public testimony on Resolution No. R2025-
015; Food System Plan. A voice vote approved the motion
unanimously.
2025 Planner Smith-Erickson presented on the Plan Introduction for
COMPREHENSIVE the Comprehensive Plan, the purpose of the document, and the
PLAN PERIODIC overarching goals that are applicable to all elements of
UPDATE – PLAN Comprehensive Plan.
INTRODUCTION:
Discussions involved goal topics such as wise investments,
communication with the public for services, and overall how the
plan information was well written. Suggestions on the formatting
of the document were provided by the Commission.
The second portion of the presentation was gathering feedback
from the Planning Commission on the adoption process for the
Comprehensive Plan. Staff also asked the Commission on what
topics they would like to discuss with the City Council at the two
upcoming Joint Work Sessions.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT: Director Medrud provided clarification on the adoption schedule,
and special meeting dates due to an upcoming holiday.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Chair Robbins
adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Prepared by Erika Smith-Erickson, Housing and Land Use Planner
and Dana Bowers, Associate Planners
TUMWATER PLANNING COMMISSION–JULY 22, 2025 2
Agenda
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
Online via Zoom and In Person at
Tumwater Fire Department
Headquarters, Training Room, 311 Israel
Rd. SW, Tumwater, WA 98501
Tuesday, September 09, 2025
7:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Changes to Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
a. Draft Tumwater Planning Commission Minutes September 24, 2024
b. Draft Tumwater Planning Commission Minutes October 8, 2024
c. Draft Tumwater Planning Commission Minutes November 12, 2024
5. Commissioner's Reports
6. Manager's Report
7. Public Comment
8. Food System Plan – Resolution No. R2025-015
9. 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update – Plan Introduction
10. Next Meeting Date - 09/23/2025
11. Adjourn
Meeting Information
The public are welcome to attend in person, by telephone or online via Zoom.
Watch Online
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M5Il2cT9QECbQeSMg4PPvQ
Listen by Telephone
Call (253) 215-8782, listen for the prompts, and enter the Webinar ID 884 3245 8093 and Passcode
567931.
Public Comment
The public is invited to attend the meeting and offer comment. The public may register in advance for
this webinar to provide comment:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M5Il2cT9QECbQeSMg4PPvQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The public may also submit comments prior to the meeting by sending an email to:
cdd@ci.tumwater.wa.us. Please send the comments by 1:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting.
Comments are submitted directly to the Commission Members and will not be read individually into the
record of the meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact Planning Manager, Brad Medrud at (360) 754-4180 or
bmedrud@ci.tumwater.wa.us.
Post Meeting
Audio of the meeting will be recorded and later available by request, please email
CityClerk@ci.tumwater.wa.us.
Accommodations
The City of Tumwater takes pride in ensuring that people with disabilities are able to take part in, and
benefit from, the range of public programs, services, and activities offered by the City. To request an
accommodation or alternate format of communication, please contact the City Clerk by calling (360)
252-5488 or email CityClerk@ci.tumwater.wa.us. For vision or hearing impaired services, please
contact the Washington State Relay Services at 7-1-1 or 1-(800)-833-6384. To contact the City’s ADA
Coordinator directly, call (360) 754-4128 or email ADACoordinator@ci.tumwater.wa.us.
What is the Planning Commission?
The Tumwater Planning Commission is a citizen advisory commission that is appointed by and
advisory to the City Council on the preparation and amendment of land use plans and implementing
ordinances such as zoning. Actions by the Planning Commission are not final decisions; they are
Commission recommendations to the City Council who must ultimately make the final decision. If
you have any questions or suggestions on ways the Commission can serve you better, please
contact the Community Development Department at (360) 754-4180.
Decorum Statement
Welcome to the Planning Commission meeting. We thank you for attending.
The City Council encourages community engagement in local government and provides a variety of
ways to participate.
The Chair of the Planning Commission will be responsible for conducting orderly and efficient meetings
within the scheduled time. To accomplish that, the Chair will maintain order and decorum and can
regulate inappropriate debate, repetitious discussion, and disruptive behavior when needed.
The Chair will recognize those that wish to speak and may limit the time allowed for individual
comments. City staff will record questions and comments during the meeting. If an issue or question
cannot be addressed during the meeting, City staff will address the issue or respond to the question by
following up with the individual.
We respectfully request that attendees refrain from disruptions during the meeting and comply with
decorum rules.
Thank you for participating.
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