Futurewise has been engaged in the Pasco UGA expansion and comprehensive plan for a couple of years and we have raised issues about the expansion into agricultural lands. We are asking the City of Pasco to not expand into valuable agricultural lands.
Futurewise’s comments on the Franklin County Comprehensive Plan 2018-2038 Update
The settlement agreement protects both rural residents and our rivers and streams from the negative impacts of growth. The County Planning Commission will consider policies to implement portions of the settlement. Futurewise submitted the attached comment letter for the County’s consideration.
We recommend that the Board of County Commissioners deny the urban growth area (UGA) expansion since it is not needed, will adversely impact the environment, is inconsistent with Benton County’s Countywide Planning Policies, and will mean that the Benton County and Kennewick will not be able to achieve the benefits that come from compact UGAs.
Futurewise finds the Draft EIS insufficient in addressing a variety of environmental impacts related to sprawl, greenhouse gas pollution, impacts on farmlands and alignment with the Regional Growth Strategy.
Futurewise supports the proposed rezones and amendments that make zoning consistent with Tacoma’s comprehensive plan and fully supports the incorporation of the Affordable Housing Action Strategy into the Housing Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Futurewise provides comments on the scope of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Okanogan County comprehensive plan and zoning updates.
Futurewise supports proposed amendments to cultural resource goals, objectives, policies and regulations for Kittitas County’s Shoreline Master Program.
Futurewise is recommending that Benton County adopt better buffer regulations to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat while accommodating the needs for homeowners to protect their homes from wildfires. Futurewise is also recommending better regulations to protect people from deadly landsides.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is updating their recommendations for scientifically sound management of riparian ecosystems (rivers, streams and surrounding areas). Futurewise largely supports these changes and the attached comment letter outlines our suggestions for improving them further.
In order to protect biodiversity areas and steep slopes from harmful development, the City of Tacoma has proposed updates to the land use code to encourage growth outside critical areas and to mitigate impacts of any development near these areas.
Futurewise engaged with community partners on the update to the Pacific County Shoreline Master Plan, and offered comments on the final document.
Futurewise supported Executive Order 2016-06, which prioritizes equitable and accessible outreach and engagement practices across city departments.
Futurewise along with a coalition of eight organizations are working to ensure that the Move Seattle Transportation Levy makes the greatest possible contribution toward meeting the City’s wide-ranging and evolving transportation and equity needs.
Futurewise strongly supports the next phase of the Federal Way Link Extension. Building this kind of sophisticated, high capacity transit is a once in a century opportunity for south King County and for the central Puget Sound region.
Futurewise sent a comment letter to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development regarding the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan Draft and the priorities we would like it to focus on.
Read our comments on the most recent draft of Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, which address issues of race and social equity, transportation and housing, growth strategy and more as informed by our expert team’s research, knowledge, and the recently released Health & Equity Assessment.
