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 7:39PM on page 4
Suggestion
We recommend evaluating each commercial district individually to better align land use strategies with local context. Where surrounding uses support it, infill housing should be prioritized—even in traditionally commercial zones. Additionally, we support greater flexibility in mixed-use development, including allowing live-work units or residential uses on ground floors where market demand for retail is limited.
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 11:22AM on page 4
Suggestion
Add Bikeable every time walkable is stated. Biking is so important to a healthy future Lacey.
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 6:50PM on page 5
Suggestion
Yes-- we need to go deeper with social housing models, for example, because they are more permanent than affordable housing models. MET
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 6:38PM on page 3
Suggestion
I love the Night Markets. I would also like to see the city take on some unconventional pursuits that support small business owners. MET
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 6:26PM on page 3
Support
MET
Anonymous Jul 24 2025 at 6:25PM on page 2
Suggestion
Maybe something like A Taste of Lacey or a regional Taste of Thurston County and every third or fourth year it could be based in Lacey? MET
Premack Jul 21 2025 at 7:27PM on page 5
Support
Wouldn't it be great if Lacey and even Thurston County could save money on electricity, and increase tourism by becoming an International Dark Sky Location?
Dark skies would also benefit JBLM: Such as the dark sky law protecting night training of military operations for Camp Bullis, Randolph Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Bases. Dark Skies and responsible lighting also benefits drivers, homeowners, tourism and migrating birds.
Install only point down shielded outdoor lighting with amber colored bulbs.
In Washington State there is the link ; According to their "OUR WORK" page of this website, there are existing Dark Sky Lighting codes in Clallam and Kitsap and Jefferson Counties and Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim. More details at the webpage: link
Dark skies would also benefit JBLM: Such as the dark sky law protecting night training of military operations for Camp Bullis, Randolph Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Bases. Dark Skies and responsible lighting also benefits drivers, homeowners, tourism and migrating birds.
Install only point down shielded outdoor lighting with amber colored bulbs.
In Washington State there is the link ; According to their "OUR WORK" page of this website, there are existing Dark Sky Lighting codes in Clallam and Kitsap and Jefferson Counties and Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim. More details at the webpage: link
Premack Jul 21 2025 at 7:19PM on page 4
Support
The shuttle in Idaho is located at The Route of the Hiawatha - Scenic mountain bike or hike trail
Premack Jul 21 2025 at 7:16PM on page 4
Support
Promotion of regular planned community hike/bike trail events that incorporate using the food trucks at the train station? At other intersections along the trails?
We would like to rent bikes for use on the trails.
How implement shuttle to/from Lacey trails such as the rail to trail link in Idaho?
We would like to rent bikes for use on the trails.
How implement shuttle to/from Lacey trails such as the rail to trail link in Idaho?
Wendy Goodwin Jul 18 2025 at 12:05PM on page 3
Suggestion
“Quality jobs”?? - Using language such as Career Developing jobs holds us accountable to ensuring new businesses not only provide entry level positions, but long term employment.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 8:11PM on page 4
Question
Does this mean if a business wants to start an indoor recreational facility that the City will help the business access capital, loans, a downpayment, easier permitting and licensing, better and more affordable lease options, advertising and promotion, etc to be able to compete with the already established bigger business options that consumers already have? Why do you think Lacey residents need an indoor facility.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:59PM on page 4
Question
What ever happened to the plan to bring in an anchor business (Ricardos) to then attract more retail? There isn't even much retail space around there? What is the City doing to promote building of retail space with affordable housing on top?
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:57PM on page 3
Suggestion
Assist Food trucks further by helping them with commercial kitchens (provided by the City) and locations they can rent out.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:55PM on page 3
Concern
MakersSpace is more of a skills training center, not a place that businesses can "innovate". To do this, they need capital, affordable spaces and affordable labor to do R&D and production. If the City wants to attract and help innovative businesses, how about assisting with equity funding, grants, etc to businesses. ScaleUp is a small program that helps a few established businesses fine tune and improve their systems, but has nothing to do with innovation.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:50PM on page 3
Concern
Another vague sentence that doesn't say much or address the real issues small businesses face. How do "quality jobs" strengthen businesses? How do you define "resilience". What are the resilience issues small businesses choosing to locate in Lacey have and how are they different from businesses in Olympia, Tumwater, Tacoma, etc?
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:47PM on page 3
Concern
This is so vague and a long used and repeated talking point, but sounds good and "inclusive" but doesn't say much. Does the City know how to "foster" businesses or understand what small business owners need to establish, compete, and survive long term? Why limit this to "essential goods and services"? What does that even mean? Why do you mention inclusive of BIPOC? Aren't they already, or has Lacey excluded them in the past? Do you even know how many BIPOC businesses are in the City or even how to attract them and help them?
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:41PM on page 3
Concern
This is very vague. Very few decision makers at the local, state or federal level understand what small businesses need to be sustainable. Attracting new businesses is a whole different issue.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:39PM on page 2
Concern
Isn't this already happening? There is little happening at the EDC to assist businesses, other than a Women's Business Center which will probably lose federal funding. The EDC is really not much more than a host or fiscal sponsor for the WBC and APEX and does not really have a robust small business assistance program. They have not grown their assistance to small businesses in over 10 years.
Christine Jul 15 2025 at 7:35PM on page 2
Suggestion
This was tried in Olympia with little results. Businesses need more than just outreach. They need affordable retail spaces to be able to compete with large national companies, assistance during economic downturns, access to capital, assistance with employee retention and wages.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:53PM on page 5
Suggestion
General Comment From Olympia Master Builders:
We commend Lacey for highlighting housing, infrastructure, and permitting efficiency in its Economic Development Element.
To ensure these policies support homebuilding and mixed-use growth:
Continue improving permitting timelines, especially for infill and mixed-use housing.
Promote flexibility in commercial zoning to allow residential conversions where appropriate.
Emphasize incentives (not mandates) for sustainability and public realm design.
Expand workforce development efforts to include construction and green building careers.
These recommendations will help ensure Lacey's economy grows alongside a vibrant, attainable housing market.
We commend Lacey for highlighting housing, infrastructure, and permitting efficiency in its Economic Development Element.
To ensure these policies support homebuilding and mixed-use growth:
Continue improving permitting timelines, especially for infill and mixed-use housing.
Promote flexibility in commercial zoning to allow residential conversions where appropriate.
Emphasize incentives (not mandates) for sustainability and public realm design.
Expand workforce development efforts to include construction and green building careers.
These recommendations will help ensure Lacey's economy grows alongside a vibrant, attainable housing market.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:50PM on page 5
Support
From Olympia Master Builders;
GOAL ED-6: Housing, Infrastructure, and Economic Activity
Homebuilder Response:
This is the most directly relevant section for residential development, and it's encouraging to see clear support for housing.
Policy ED-6B – Climate-resilient facilities and public investment
Support with Clarification: Ensure that infrastructure investments prioritize areas planned for future housing growth, including infill and middle housing areas.
Policy ED-6C – Support housing so residents can live and work in Lacey
Strong Support: Add implementation detail—this could include pre-approved housing types, ADU expansion, or density bonuses in commercial corridors.
GOAL ED-6: Housing, Infrastructure, and Economic Activity
Homebuilder Response:
This is the most directly relevant section for residential development, and it's encouraging to see clear support for housing.
Policy ED-6B – Climate-resilient facilities and public investment
Support with Clarification: Ensure that infrastructure investments prioritize areas planned for future housing growth, including infill and middle housing areas.
Policy ED-6C – Support housing so residents can live and work in Lacey
Strong Support: Add implementation detail—this could include pre-approved housing types, ADU expansion, or density bonuses in commercial corridors.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:46PM on page 5
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL ED-5: Environmentally Sustainable Businesses
Homebuilder Response:
Sustainability language is important but must remain balanced to avoid scope creep into private project regulation.
Policy ED-5A–B – Recruiting green businesses and building retrofits
Recommendation: Emphasize incentive-based approaches. Any eco-design or material expectations should remain voluntary or grant-funded, not regulatory.
GOAL ED-5: Environmentally Sustainable Businesses
Homebuilder Response:
Sustainability language is important but must remain balanced to avoid scope creep into private project regulation.
Policy ED-5A–B – Recruiting green businesses and building retrofits
Recommendation: Emphasize incentive-based approaches. Any eco-design or material expectations should remain voluntary or grant-funded, not regulatory.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:44PM on page 4
Concern
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL ED-4: Preserving and Revitalizing Commercial Areas
Homebuilder Response:
This section has strong placemaking goals, but care is needed to avoid policies that overly restrict residential development or complicate zoning.
Policy ED-4D & ED-4E – Development standards to support mixed-use
Caution: Ensure these policies do not result in inflexible commercial zoning retention where market demand is low. Encourage form-based codes or hybrid zones allowing adaptive reuse or residential infill without rezoning.
Policy ED-4G – Trail-oriented businesses
Support: Positive—consider aligning this with compact housing types and low-parking commercial uses near trails.
GOAL ED-4: Preserving and Revitalizing Commercial Areas
Homebuilder Response:
This section has strong placemaking goals, but care is needed to avoid policies that overly restrict residential development or complicate zoning.
Policy ED-4D & ED-4E – Development standards to support mixed-use
Caution: Ensure these policies do not result in inflexible commercial zoning retention where market demand is low. Encourage form-based codes or hybrid zones allowing adaptive reuse or residential infill without rezoning.
Policy ED-4G – Trail-oriented businesses
Support: Positive—consider aligning this with compact housing types and low-parking commercial uses near trails.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:43PM on page 3
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL ED-3: Entrepreneurship and Local Business
Homebuilder Response:
Encouraging local and small business growth in tandem with new development is aligned with mixed-use goals.
Policy ED-3D–E – Support for innovation spaces, food truck depot, night market
Suggestion: Consider overlay zones or use-flexible commercial designations that allow for live-work, accessory commercial units, and residential above retail in these districts.
Policy ED-3F – Safe, accessible commercial areas
Recommendation: Ensure safety improvements are implemented without creating burdensome design mandates for private developers (e.g., don’t overregulate lighting or public realm design).
GOAL ED-3: Entrepreneurship and Local Business
Homebuilder Response:
Encouraging local and small business growth in tandem with new development is aligned with mixed-use goals.
Policy ED-3D–E – Support for innovation spaces, food truck depot, night market
Suggestion: Consider overlay zones or use-flexible commercial designations that allow for live-work, accessory commercial units, and residential above retail in these districts.
Policy ED-3F – Safe, accessible commercial areas
Recommendation: Ensure safety improvements are implemented without creating burdensome design mandates for private developers (e.g., don’t overregulate lighting or public realm design).
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:41PM on page 2
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL ED-2: Partnerships & Workforce Development
Homebuilder Response:
These policies are supportive of the industry, especially if workforce training includes trades and construction.
Policy ED-2D – Collaboration with workforce programs
Recommendation: Add explicit support for construction, skilled trades, and green building careers within workforce training.
GOAL ED-2: Partnerships & Workforce Development
Homebuilder Response:
These policies are supportive of the industry, especially if workforce training includes trades and construction.
Policy ED-2D – Collaboration with workforce programs
Recommendation: Add explicit support for construction, skilled trades, and green building careers within workforce training.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:39PM on page 2
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL ED-1: Business Climate
Homebuilder Response:
These policies support predictability and customer service in development processes.
Policy ED-1A–C – Customer service, permitting efficiency, and business engagement
Support: These are foundational. Add language explicitly committing to timely permit timelines for housing and mixed-use developers, especially in areas targeted for infill or commercial revitalization.
GOAL ED-1: Business Climate
Homebuilder Response:
These policies support predictability and customer service in development processes.
Policy ED-1A–C – Customer service, permitting efficiency, and business engagement
Support: These are foundational. Add language explicitly committing to timely permit timelines for housing and mixed-use developers, especially in areas targeted for infill or commercial revitalization.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:38PM on page 1
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
The Economic Development chapter reflects a progressive vision that values entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment, and community-oriented growth. From a homebuilding standpoint, this section is largely positive but would benefit from:
Stronger alignment between land use, zoning, and housing availability
Clarity that economic growth includes market-rate and workforce housing
Guardrails to avoid regulatory creep in the name of placemaking or sustainability
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
The Economic Development chapter reflects a progressive vision that values entrepreneurship, infrastructure investment, and community-oriented growth. From a homebuilding standpoint, this section is largely positive but would benefit from:
Stronger alignment between land use, zoning, and housing availability
Clarity that economic growth includes market-rate and workforce housing
Guardrails to avoid regulatory creep in the name of placemaking or sustainability
Charmaine Todd Jul 7 2025 at 10:03PM on page 1
Concern
Put in businesses worth going to. We need a Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s on Marvin Road. Not another nail salon and definitely not another warehouse to add to the congestion.
Charmaine Todd Jul 7 2025 at 10:01PM on page 1
Concern
Marvin Road is a disaster. It’s a bottleneck at the roundabouts where semi’s need two lanes to make a turn. This congestion is moving traffic to side streets in order to avoid this dangerous situation. You mixed huge industrial warehouses with residential communities. This mix is turning dangerous.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:26PM on page 4
Suggestion
Link to Lacey's Bike and Pedestrian Plan.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:24PM on page 4
Should be a priority. It's about time Lacey had an actual downtown.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:23PM on page 3
Suggestion
Increasing density in commercial areas by allowing more stories, reducing landscapin requirements, and allowing more building area per lot, in addition to making a more attractive business climate, will also increase walkability and bikability. People have made it clear over and over again that they want cities that look like downtown Olympia, not Federal Way.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:29PM on page 3
Suggestion
Some of those values that should be encouraged is small unique shops that are not big-box stores. People shop in Olympia because there are entrepreneurs that offer unique items (including clothing, vinegar/oils, perfumes, wine tasting, etc).
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:24PM on page 4
Suggestion
This policy should then lead to 1) supporting the Museum which is “place making “ and will bring tourists into the shops near by and encourage more smaller shops for tourists that come to the museum. It also needs to follow up with St. Martin’s to add a connection on College Street that was discussed 5-6 years ago that provides an inlet road from the Midtown District (Woodland) into St. Martin’s—-causing College Street road speed to slow down so that people will be more inclined to drive into this area to shop rather than speed out of town.
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