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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Puget Sound Energy Jul 31 2025 at 5:11PM on page 8
Concern
These goals and the associated policies should explicitly support the need for additional electrical infrastructure. Electrification of the building and transportation sectors will increase electric loads in Lacey. It is important to recognize that as Lacey is reviewing impacts to the environment, the increase in electric demand due to electrification policies will result in the need for additional electrical infrastructure.
We offer the following goal language for the City’s consideration:
1. “Partner with PSE to effectively meet rapidly increasing electrical demand as the city and region work to achieve a Clean Energy Transition by adopting codes that support siting existing and new technologies.”
2. “Expedite the local permitting and approval process in order to maintain grid capacity and reliability.”
We offer the following goal language for the City’s consideration:
1. “Partner with PSE to effectively meet rapidly increasing electrical demand as the city and region work to achieve a Clean Energy Transition by adopting codes that support siting existing and new technologies.”
2. “Expedite the local permitting and approval process in order to maintain grid capacity and reliability.”
Tarragon Jul 30 2025 at 7:40PM on page 3
Suggestion
We recommend adding greater flexibility to allow live-work units and ground floor residential uses within mixed-use and commercial zones. This approach supports evolving market conditions, encourages small-scale entrepreneurship, and helps activate street-level spaces even when demand for traditional retail is limited.
Cris Matthews Jul 30 2025 at 12:07PM on page 5
Concern
The College Street corridor from Mullen Road to Martin Way has no bicycle accommodations whatsoever. The alternative north-south neighborhood connection cycle route is meandering, indirect and incomplete.
Cris Matthews Jul 30 2025 at 11:33AM on page 6
Concern
Policies LU-7A and LU-7B support City of Lacey (City) 30+ year-old status as "Tree City USA" and goals to prioritize and preserve urban forests and mature tree cover ("Urban Forestry" @ link). Recent City purchase of ex-LOTT property (parcel 11828320203) is an excellent example of an opportunity to implement these urban forest and environmental protection goals. The City should prioritize LU-7A & B preservation of this undeveloped and undesignated forest remainder.
Cris Matthews Jul 30 2025 at 11:33AM on page 6
Concern
Policies LU-7A and LU-7B support City of Lacey (City) 30+ year-old status as "Tree City USA" and goals to prioritize and preserve urban forests and mature tree cover ("Urban Forestry" @ link). Recent City purchase of ex-LOTT property (parcel 11828320203) is an excellent example of an opportunity to implement these urban forest and environmental protection goals. The City should prioritize LU-7A & B preservation of this undeveloped and undesignated forest remainder.
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 11:45AM on page 2
Concern
Keep green space designations stable, OS-I. With greater density these OS-I zoned spaces are precious and not replaceable at a later date.
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 11:28AM on page 3
Concern
Not sure where this goes: Transporation projects not interfering with the walkable, bikeable quality of the neighborhood. (Prime example: Mullen Road Extension. This road inhibits walking and biking due to the poor layout of the road effecting visibility for pedestrian and drivers. There are two parks whose access are cut off by this poorly engineered road.
Anonymous Jul 28 2025 at 11:24AM on page 3
Suggestion
"and bikeable" Add this every time walkable is used. Walking and biking go hand in hand.
Anonymous Jul 27 2025 at 1:30AM on page 8
Support
Use cross sector coalitions to help encourage placemaking, host listening posts across the city (both staffed and posts that are not staffed). Be willing to explore unconventional methods for bringing people together.
Anonymous Jul 27 2025 at 1:21AM on page 7
Support
yes
Anonymous Jul 27 2025 at 1:19AM on page 5
Support
yes
Anonymous Jul 27 2025 at 1:18AM on page 3
Support
yes
Anonymous Jul 19 2025 at 8:34AM on page 5
Suggestion
Vehicles are a huge impediment. There are many places where it's just not safe to walk. Besides more sidewalks, maybe where there are short segments, reduce the traffic speed to 10mph. Discourage large vehicles with narrower roads. More speed bumps. Progressive licensing so a 9K lb vehicle is at least 9 times more expensive than a 1K lb vehicle.
Anonymous Jul 19 2025 at 8:27AM on page 4
Support
This is great.
Anonymous Jul 19 2025 at 8:25AM on page 3
Suggestion
Allow apartments over businesses. Increase housing options and bring customers closer to businesses.
Anonymous Jul 15 2025 at 7:42PM on page 9
Concern
Thus far, the document makes no reference to preservation of already scarce agricultural/ farm land within the city or related to future annexations. Supporting local agricultural practices is essential to a future Lacey.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:15PM on page 9
Suggestion
General Comment From Olympia Master Builders:
The Land Use Element provides a strong foundation for smart growth, compact neighborhoods, and diverse housing. To ensure successful implementation:
Streamline approval for infill, mixed-use, and middle housing types in areas with infrastructure.
Apply flexibility in commercial design and public realm standards to reduce barriers for small-scale developers.
Use performance-based tools (e.g., tree credits, form-based codes) to balance environmental and development goals.
Prioritize annexation and subarea planning that opens new land supply for homes across the income spectrum.
These refinements will help ensure Lacey’s land use policy supports equitable growth and housing opportunity.
The Land Use Element provides a strong foundation for smart growth, compact neighborhoods, and diverse housing. To ensure successful implementation:
Streamline approval for infill, mixed-use, and middle housing types in areas with infrastructure.
Apply flexibility in commercial design and public realm standards to reduce barriers for small-scale developers.
Use performance-based tools (e.g., tree credits, form-based codes) to balance environmental and development goals.
Prioritize annexation and subarea planning that opens new land supply for homes across the income spectrum.
These refinements will help ensure Lacey’s land use policy supports equitable growth and housing opportunity.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:14PM on page 8
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOALS LU-10 to LU-13: Engagement, Subareas, Implementation & Annexation
Homebuilder Response:
Generally supportive.
Policy LU-11B – Innovative zoning tools
Support: Strong endorsement for form-based codes, objective design standards, and zoning overlays.
Policy LU-13A–C – Annexation
Recommendation: Prioritize annexations that unlock land for housing production. Consider tools like pre-annexation development agreements to accelerate housing-ready sites.
GOALS LU-10 to LU-13: Engagement, Subareas, Implementation & Annexation
Homebuilder Response:
Generally supportive.
Policy LU-11B – Innovative zoning tools
Support: Strong endorsement for form-based codes, objective design standards, and zoning overlays.
Policy LU-13A–C – Annexation
Recommendation: Prioritize annexations that unlock land for housing production. Consider tools like pre-annexation development agreements to accelerate housing-ready sites.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:12PM on page 7
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-9: Environmental Justice
Homebuilder Response:
Equity is essential. Ensure this goal promotes—not delays—housing production.
Recommendation: Clarify that environmental justice measures should be aligned with housing goals (e.g., heat-resilient housing, infill near transit).
GOAL LU-9: Environmental Justice
Homebuilder Response:
Equity is essential. Ensure this goal promotes—not delays—housing production.
Recommendation: Clarify that environmental justice measures should be aligned with housing goals (e.g., heat-resilient housing, infill near transit).
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:11PM on page 7
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-8: Lacey’s Identity
Homebuilder Response:
Supportive if used for incentives, not mandates.
Recommendation: Any design or placemaking standards should be objective, predictable, and not overly aesthetic in scope.
GOAL LU-8: Lacey’s Identity
Homebuilder Response:
Supportive if used for incentives, not mandates.
Recommendation: Any design or placemaking standards should be objective, predictable, and not overly aesthetic in scope.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:10PM on page 6
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-7: Environmental Best Practices
Homebuilder Response:
Conceptually strong, but risks overregulating infill.
Policy LU-7B – Tree cover preservation
Recommendation: Avoid rigid minimums. Use a tree canopy credit system that allows preservation, planting, or payment in lieu.
GOAL LU-7: Environmental Best Practices
Homebuilder Response:
Conceptually strong, but risks overregulating infill.
Policy LU-7B – Tree cover preservation
Recommendation: Avoid rigid minimums. Use a tree canopy credit system that allows preservation, planting, or payment in lieu.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:09PM on page 6
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-6: Neighborhood Mixed-Use Centers
Homebuilder Response:
Positive direction—centers support 15-minute neighborhoods.
Caution: Maintain market flexibility for ground-floor commercial uses—don’t mandate storefronts in areas without demand.
Support: Use Neighborhood Commercial zoning with flexible design standards and incentives for housing co-located with retail.
GOAL LU-6: Neighborhood Mixed-Use Centers
Homebuilder Response:
Positive direction—centers support 15-minute neighborhoods.
Caution: Maintain market flexibility for ground-floor commercial uses—don’t mandate storefronts in areas without demand.
Support: Use Neighborhood Commercial zoning with flexible design standards and incentives for housing co-located with retail.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:08PM on page 5
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-5: Multimodal Connectivity
Homebuilder Response:
Supportive of compact communities but can impose costs.
Policy LU-5D – Public realm amenities
Recommendation: Require these standards only in priority corridors, not all infill projects. Offer density bonuses or height flexibility in exchange for enhanced amenities.
GOAL LU-5: Multimodal Connectivity
Homebuilder Response:
Supportive of compact communities but can impose costs.
Policy LU-5D – Public realm amenities
Recommendation: Require these standards only in priority corridors, not all infill projects. Offer density bonuses or height flexibility in exchange for enhanced amenities.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:07PM on page 4
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-4: Economic Vitality
Homebuilder Response:
Policies here balance economic development and housing-supportive mixed-use.
Policy LU-4E – Flex space and artisan industry
Support: Consider pre-approved typologies that combine housing and workspace (e.g., live/work townhomes, micro-retail).
GOAL LU-4: Economic Vitality
Homebuilder Response:
Policies here balance economic development and housing-supportive mixed-use.
Policy LU-4E – Flex space and artisan industry
Support: Consider pre-approved typologies that combine housing and workspace (e.g., live/work townhomes, micro-retail).
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:06PM on page 3
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-3: Housing Diversity
Homebuilder Response:
This is essential—and well-written in many respects.
Policy LU-3B – Increase minimum residential densities
Support with Clarification: Add a clear range of density expectations per zone, and consider allowing small-lot detached and middle housing in traditionally single-family areas.
Policy LU-3C – Housing choice and affordability
Support: Ask for the City to consider adopting a housing opportunity index that measures zoning capacity against projected need.
GOAL LU-3: Housing Diversity
Homebuilder Response:
This is essential—and well-written in many respects.
Policy LU-3B – Increase minimum residential densities
Support with Clarification: Add a clear range of density expectations per zone, and consider allowing small-lot detached and middle housing in traditionally single-family areas.
Policy LU-3C – Housing choice and affordability
Support: Ask for the City to consider adopting a housing opportunity index that measures zoning capacity against projected need.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:05PM on page 3
Support
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-2: Walkable Neighborhoods
Homebuilder Response:
Important for livability and connectivity but needs flexibility.
Policy LU-2B – Flexibility in land use to support local amenities
Support: Recommend codifying live-work units, corner stores, and home-based businesses as permitted uses in residential zones.
GOAL LU-2: Walkable Neighborhoods
Homebuilder Response:
Important for livability and connectivity but needs flexibility.
Policy LU-2B – Flexibility in land use to support local amenities
Support: Recommend codifying live-work units, corner stores, and home-based businesses as permitted uses in residential zones.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 2:00PM on page 2
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
GOAL LU-1: Promote Compact Development
Homebuilder Response:
Strong alignment with urban infill and efficient land use.
Policy LU-1A–B – Mixed-use and infill in corridors and areas with infrastructure
Support: Encourage inclusion of by-right development options and fast-track review for these areas.
Policy LU-1E – Incompatible use mitigation
Caution: Ensure this is not used to block urban-scale housing next to low-density areas. Recommend emphasizing performance-based buffering rather than separation through zoning.
GOAL LU-1: Promote Compact Development
Homebuilder Response:
Strong alignment with urban infill and efficient land use.
Policy LU-1A–B – Mixed-use and infill in corridors and areas with infrastructure
Support: Encourage inclusion of by-right development options and fast-track review for these areas.
Policy LU-1E – Incompatible use mitigation
Caution: Ensure this is not used to block urban-scale housing next to low-density areas. Recommend emphasizing performance-based buffering rather than separation through zoning.
Jessie Simmons Jul 8 2025 at 1:59PM on page 1
Suggestion
From Olympia Master Builders:
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
The Land Use chapter is the most foundational component of the Comprehensive Plan. It sets the stage for growth management, development patterns, infrastructure investment, and housing supply. The draft presents a strong pro-housing narrative overall, but there are several areas where greater clarity, flexibility, and implementation realism would benefit builders and housing advocates.
Homebuilder Perspective Overview
The Land Use chapter is the most foundational component of the Comprehensive Plan. It sets the stage for growth management, development patterns, infrastructure investment, and housing supply. The draft presents a strong pro-housing narrative overall, but there are several areas where greater clarity, flexibility, and implementation realism would benefit builders and housing advocates.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:49PM on page 8
Concern
A city is like a machine, with each subarea fulfilling a different function. Lacey's subarea plans tend to not show how each subarea is expected to fucntion (e.g. transportation corridor, residential area, commercial core, etc.). The goal is to build a well-functioning machine, which involves making the parts function well together.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:32PM on page 3
If population growth continues, all these huasing goals are doomed to fail.
Robert Jul 5 2025 at 3:31PM on page 3
and bikeable
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:47PM on page 7
Suggestion
The art should include spaces for cultural activities as well.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:45PM on page 6
Support
Yes. Woodland Creek was a priority when the Greg Cuoio Park was purchased. I hope you don’t ruin this concept with hardscape. It needs to be kept as much passive use as possible to protect Woodland Creek.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:40PM on page 5
Support
I totally support this policy.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:40PM on page 5
Suggestion
Again, increase sidewalks in older neighborhoods. If there is a Network for complete streets, it needs to include older neighborhoods, not just new developments.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:38PM on page 5
Support
I totally support this policy. Walking and biking should be evaluated with each new project being proposed.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:36PM on page 4
Suggestion
Please see my previous comments about unique stores, reducing big-box stores, and building the Museum for increase tourists into this area.
Cynthia Pratt Jul 4 2025 at 6:35PM on page 3
Suggestion
Again, my comment about walkability needs to include older neighborhoods that include sidewalks. Sidewalks for walking to schools and parks provide safe access to these amenities. In older communities walkers of all ages are required to walk in the road to get around so it often forces driving short distances (a waste of money, energy, and a cause for increased congestion).
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