Lacey Policy Review Tool
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Commenting closed July 31st, 2025. You can review the draft policies and view past comments on this document.
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Tarragon Jul 30 2025 at 4:38PM on page 4
Suggestion
We support the city’s efforts to promote dense infill development and encourage greater flexibility in zoning to allow housing types that match surrounding uses—even when they exceed traditional density limits. This approach helps maximize land efficiency, supports housing affordability, and ensures new housing integrates well with existing neighborhood character
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 9:37AM on page 2
Suggestion
Commercial spaces could incorporate more public seating and landscaping but only if required to or incentives are offered.
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 9:36AM on page 2
Suggestion
This is an overall comment. Couldn't find another place for it. 1. Is there a height limit for high density residential? Seems useful.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 27 2025 at 11:59AM on page 3
Concern
By far our greatest risk for mass mortality, as reflected in the HMP and the Emergency Management Council, is from extreme heat events,, though both heat and wildfire smoke have a high probability of increasing morbidity in our population.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 27 2025 at 11:53AM on page 3
Suggestion
There will be a bill in the next legislative session calling for funding of portable heat pumps/efficient air conditioneers for vulnerable low income residents. However, to get the funding needed, there needs to be a demand from the cities and counties to obtain this lifesaving refuge cooling for those who need it most.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 27 2025 at 11:50AM on page 3
Suggestion
The priority for climate resilience funding should be to the greatest public health climate risk: Extreme Heat Events. Low cost preventive measures could reduce mortaility and the nedd for crisis management of care, benefiting all riesidents.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 27 2025 at 11:46AM on page 2
Concern
The private sector should play a role, but the initiative for educational programs to reduce morbidity and mortality from climate hazards, such as extreme heat events, needs to come from the public sector. This is very low hanging fruit. 98% of the 619 residents of greater Vancouver BC who died immediately of heat stroke died in their own homes, and 28 percent of these victims never even called 911. Our population does not understand the risk of heat or how to stay safe. It is the responsibility of government to be sure this simple low cost education of our residents takes place, whether by private or public entities.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 27 2025 at 11:36AM on page 2
Suggestion
Focus outreach and education not only to the most vulnerable, but also to the greatest hazards for these vulnerable residents. There is only one climate hazard which presents a high likelihood of mass casualties: extreme heat events, and we are particularly at risk here in the South Puget Sound.
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 5:16PM on page 8
Suggestion
While resilience hubs are important, statistics show that most people shelter in their homes during high heat events. Therefore, it will be equally, if not more important, to ensure that residents have portable or permanent heat pumps so they can shelter in place and be protected in their homes during high heat events.
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 5:09PM on page 6
Support
This is a very important one!
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 5:08PM on page 6
Question
Will this also apply to existing as well as new developments?
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 5:02PM on page 4
Suggestion
How will this be done? Will there be a no new development on shoreline ordinance? Will there be a buffer where development is restricted? This is a good idea, but actual metrics are needed to prevent developers from finding loopholes to develop on shoreline.
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 4:57PM on page 2
Concern
While volunteers are needed, more resources need to be dedicated to emergency response during high heat events. Volunteer crews will not be enough and emergency services will be overwhelmed without devoting more resources to keeping people safe during high heat events.
Paris McClusky Jul 24 2025 at 4:51PM on page 2
Question
Why not tenants as well?
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 11:56AM on page 8
Support
Yes!
MET
MET
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 11:55AM on page 8
Support
yes!
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 11:54AM on page 7
Support
Yes!!!
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 11:42AM on page 2
Suggestion
Recruiting volunteers is a good idea. Cast a wide net when recruiting, and once they are on board, please take very good care of them which includes taking their input seriously and including them in any feedback loops.
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 11:40AM on page 2
In terms of outreach, make sure you use consumer friendly/plain language. You could sponsor art projects with schools about climate change resilience and be sure to partner with neighborhood ambassadors to get the information out. MET
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 22 2025 at 1:00PM on page 6
Concern
The most important financing will be for some form of cooling for vulnerable residents. These are generally not homeowners! Cooling will become a necessity to survive our coming extreme heat events. "Cooling Thurston" is providing free portable heat pumps to 50 vulnerable low income residents, along with education wor a much wider audience. The city of Portland has committed to providing 25,000 heat pumps to vulnerable renters. Subsidies for higher income residents and homeowners could also be helpful, but Energize Thurston, which focuses on energy efficiency for homeowners does not address the public health imperative. State bills are pending but require demand from the cities for such funding.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 22 2025 at 12:52PM on page 3
Suggestion
The most important planning that is needed is for prevention of heat illness in vulnerable residents through "low hanging fruit" such as education and refuge cooling primarily in residents own homes. This will help more residents survive our deadliest climate halth risk.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 22 2025 at 12:48PM on page 3
Suggestion
For grants, city funding and state support, prioritize funding for education and refuge cooling for the most vulnerable residents. The pilot project called "Cooling Thurston" is usisng grant funding to provide education and portable heat pumps to vulnerable low income renters, the prevention goals of the Thruston County Exteme heat Emergency Response and Illness Prevention Plan. This is the model for preventing the most deaths from the greatest climate weather hazard we face.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 22 2025 at 12:42PM on page 1
Concern
How about mitigate the impacts of climate change on public health? shouldn't resilience focus more on saaving lives than property? Both are important, but I see public health as hardly mentioned and not addressed adequately.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 22 2025 at 12:36PM on page 2
Concern
Resilience outreach and education should be tailored not to property owners, but to those residents most at risk for morbidity and mortality from climate hazards. By far the greatest risk for mass casualties from climate hazards is extreme heat events. Many more will be irreversibly injured, our EMS will be overwhelmed, and we will have to endure crisis management of care. Does Lacey want to be responsible for hundreds of deaths and severe morbidity simply because it the resilience plan does not address the goals of the Thurston County Extreme Heat Emergency Response and Illness Prevention Plan?
We will soon experience worse events than the June, 2021 heat event was centered over greater Vancouver BC. There they had 619 immediate heat stroke deaths confirmed by the coroner, 98% of these died in their own homes and 28% of these never even called 911. EMS was so delayed that 83% of heat stroke vicitms could not be resusitated by paramedics and more than 2,000 peopled died in total.
We will soon experience worse events than the June, 2021 heat event was centered over greater Vancouver BC. There they had 619 immediate heat stroke deaths confirmed by the coroner, 98% of these died in their own homes and 28% of these never even called 911. EMS was so delayed that 83% of heat stroke vicitms could not be resusitated by paramedics and more than 2,000 peopled died in total.
Gordon Warner Wheat Jul 21 2025 at 12:35PM on page 1
Concern
Is one of the policies of the Resilience sub-element not to protect public health? This set of policies indicates that buildings matter, but public health and mortality from climate impacts are not part of Lacey's policies.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:35AM on page 8
Suggestion
General Comment From Olympia Master Builders:
As a stakeholder in residential construction, we support the City’s goals to increase climate resilience but urge attention to implementation details that affect housing supply and affordability.
Support infill over greenfield development, but ensure hazard mitigation policies allow flexibility in urban settings.
Tree and stormwater policies should include allowances or trade-offs for small-lot and middle housing.
Development standards should prioritize incentives, clear guidance, and feasibility over rigid mandates.
Any new regulatory burdens must be offset by funding, streamlined permitting, or technical assistance.
These refinements will help ensure that Lacey remains both resilient and livable for all.
As a stakeholder in residential construction, we support the City’s goals to increase climate resilience but urge attention to implementation details that affect housing supply and affordability.
Support infill over greenfield development, but ensure hazard mitigation policies allow flexibility in urban settings.
Tree and stormwater policies should include allowances or trade-offs for small-lot and middle housing.
Development standards should prioritize incentives, clear guidance, and feasibility over rigid mandates.
Any new regulatory burdens must be offset by funding, streamlined permitting, or technical assistance.
These refinements will help ensure that Lacey remains both resilient and livable for all.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:30AM on page 6
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOALS R-9–R-12: Infrastructure, Transportation, and Facilities
Homebuilder Response:
Primarily focused on public infrastructure. Neutral to positive if it does not push costs onto private projects.
Policy R-9C – Undergrounding new power lines
Recommendation: Confirm this requirement applies only where technically feasible and that costs are clearly communicated early in the permitting process.
GOALS R-9–R-12: Infrastructure, Transportation, and Facilities
Homebuilder Response:
Primarily focused on public infrastructure. Neutral to positive if it does not push costs onto private projects.
Policy R-9C – Undergrounding new power lines
Recommendation: Confirm this requirement applies only where technically feasible and that costs are clearly communicated early in the permitting process.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:29AM on page 6
Concern
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL R-8: Development Standards
Homebuilder Response:
This is a critical area of concern. New standards could substantially increase build costs.
Policy R-8A – Fire-wise techniques
Support with Caution: Endorse principles like defensible space and fire-resistant materials, but urge flexibility for urban infill and clear guidance on what is required vs. encouraged.
Policy R-8B–C – Stormwater and sustainable design
Recommendation: Avoid duplicating State Building Code or Department of Ecology stormwater manual. Consider an optional “resilient development tier” that provides expedited review, fee reductions, or density bonuses.
GOAL R-8: Development Standards
Homebuilder Response:
This is a critical area of concern. New standards could substantially increase build costs.
Policy R-8A – Fire-wise techniques
Support with Caution: Endorse principles like defensible space and fire-resistant materials, but urge flexibility for urban infill and clear guidance on what is required vs. encouraged.
Policy R-8B–C – Stormwater and sustainable design
Recommendation: Avoid duplicating State Building Code or Department of Ecology stormwater manual. Consider an optional “resilient development tier” that provides expedited review, fee reductions, or density bonuses.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:27AM on page 4
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOALS R-6 & R-7: Ecosystems and Urban Forestry
Homebuilder Response:
Nature-based solutions are beneficial but must be compatible with compact, urban housing.
Policy R-7D – Update tree regulations
Recommendation: Adopt a flexible point-based or credit system (e.g., tree preservation + green roofs + stormwater LID) rather than rigid per-lot requirements that constrain small-lot development.
General Suggestion: Include exemptions or trade-offs for middle housing, small parcels, or projects near transit.
GOALS R-6 & R-7: Ecosystems and Urban Forestry
Homebuilder Response:
Nature-based solutions are beneficial but must be compatible with compact, urban housing.
Policy R-7D – Update tree regulations
Recommendation: Adopt a flexible point-based or credit system (e.g., tree preservation + green roofs + stormwater LID) rather than rigid per-lot requirements that constrain small-lot development.
General Suggestion: Include exemptions or trade-offs for middle housing, small parcels, or projects near transit.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:25AM on page 4
Concern
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL R-5: Resilient Land Use
Homebuilder Response:
Several policies here present potential barriers to housing supply, particularly regarding hazard-prone areas.
Policy R-5C–E – Infill prioritization and development avoidance in hazard areas
Support: Infill priority is good.
Caution: "Avoid" and "Limit" language could be misused to block well-designed infill or redevelopment projects. Recommend reframing to “minimize risk through design, siting, and mitigation techniques.”
Additional Suggestion: Ensure hazard mapping is updated and publicly accessible, and allow appeals or variances where risks can be mitigated (e.g., fire-wise materials, stormwater controls).
GOAL R-5: Resilient Land Use
Homebuilder Response:
Several policies here present potential barriers to housing supply, particularly regarding hazard-prone areas.
Policy R-5C–E – Infill prioritization and development avoidance in hazard areas
Support: Infill priority is good.
Caution: "Avoid" and "Limit" language could be misused to block well-designed infill or redevelopment projects. Recommend reframing to “minimize risk through design, siting, and mitigation techniques.”
Additional Suggestion: Ensure hazard mapping is updated and publicly accessible, and allow appeals or variances where risks can be mitigated (e.g., fire-wise materials, stormwater controls).
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:24AM on page 3
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOALS R-3 & R-4: Funding, Data & Planning
Homebuilder Response:
Neutral-positive. Funding and data improvements are foundational and not regulatory in nature.
Recommendation: Encourage the City to pursue grants to offset potential new costs to builders or low-income homeowners (e.g., fire-resistant materials, HVAC upgrades).
GOALS R-3 & R-4: Funding, Data & Planning
Homebuilder Response:
Neutral-positive. Funding and data improvements are foundational and not regulatory in nature.
Recommendation: Encourage the City to pursue grants to offset potential new costs to builders or low-income homeowners (e.g., fire-resistant materials, HVAC upgrades).
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 10:22AM on page 2
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOALS R-1 & R-2: Outreach and Community Engagement
Homebuilder Response:
Broadly supportive. Outreach, especially to vulnerable residents and private sector stakeholders, is critical and non-regulatory.
Suggestion: Ensure outreach materials include clear examples of voluntary resilience actions for homeowners and builders, including information on rebates, credits, or fast-tracked permitting.
GOALS R-1 & R-2: Outreach and Community Engagement
Homebuilder Response:
Broadly supportive. Outreach, especially to vulnerable residents and private sector stakeholders, is critical and non-regulatory.
Suggestion: Ensure outreach materials include clear examples of voluntary resilience actions for homeowners and builders, including information on rebates, credits, or fast-tracked permitting.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 12:13PM on page 2
Suggestion
Educate everyone that unless population growth is reduced, all these climate goals a re guaranteed to fail. The same with housing, health care, and mnay transportation goals.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 3 2025 at 5:51PM on page 7
Suggestion
Multimodal transportation includes sidewalks for pedestrians. What I would like to see is more sidewalks in older areas. For instance, Judd Street, (off of College Street) which has a steep hill, should have been constructed with a sidewalk up the hill since cars go over the speed limit and can’t see walkers coming up the hill. It would have been easier to include a sidewalk when this was constructed. This area, as well as other “blind spot” areas should be assessed and if possible, sidewalks added.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 3 2025 at 5:44PM on page 5
Suggestion
What isn’t being done more, but should be, is making sure we include “shade” trees as we develop business areas. This will reduce “heat zones” as well as provide areas supporting soil absorption, thus reducing runoff in parking lots and walk areas when there is heavy rainfall.
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