Regional Projects

Thurston Regional Planning Council works on regional interjurisdictional projects and programs that explore and take action on both required and optional elements of the State Growth Management Act. These include:  

• County Wide Planning Policies — County Wide Planning Policies are the framework for developing and adopting city and county Comprehensive Plans as well as changing urban growth boundaries. County Wide Planning Policies are a Growth Management Act requirement.
• Buildable Lands Report — A Growth Management Act monitoring requirement to ensure that there is adequate land in urban areas to meet expected growth.
• Population and Employment Forecast — A 20-30 year forecast integral to many planning efforts including Comprehensive Plan updates, the Buildable Lands Report, and the Regional Transportation Plan.

In addition to working on Growth Managment Act requirements, TRPC also serves as staff to the Washington State Boundary Review Board for Thurston County. The Boundary Review Board reviews proposals for boundary changes by cities, towns and special-purpose districts (such as fire districts) within Thurston County, including city or district annexations.

Key Dates in Recent Growth Management Planning in Thurston County

The Urban Growth Management Subcommittee is responsible for reviewing changes to the County Wide Planning Policies and Urban Growth Areas and making recommendations to the Thurston County Board of Commissioners.