# October 7, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting


**Body:** Thurston County
**Date:** October 06, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Environment


Thurston County Planning Commission meeting, October 7, 2026: The commission held a work session on draft amendments to the Critical Areas Ordinance, focusing on wetlands and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas. Members supported retaining multiple wetland buffer options and asked staff to add a low-intensity-use table to both options to improve flexibility and predictability. Staff also presented proposed clarifications and additional protections for elk habitat, aspen stands, prairie features, and mitigation sequencing. The commission directed staff to use “Oregon white oak” in the draft and discussed incorporating scientific and culturally relevant plant names. These were drafting directions; the commission did not take a final action on the ordinance, and staff said the chapters would return as part of a future public-hearing draft.

Public commenters raised concerns about wetland mitigation standards, wildlife corridors, code clarity, and the county’s reported decision to direct staff to work with Black Lake Quarry LLC on supplementing the record for a proposed industrial rezone. One commenter said that effort could divert staff from the Critical Areas Ordinance update, which staff had estimated could be delayed three to four months. The commission also approved the September 16 meeting minutes and audio recording as the official record. No procurement activity, contract awards, or purchasing decisions were identified.

**Source:** Thurston County