June 24, 2026 - Thurston County Board of County Commissioners Appeal Hearing

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held an appeal hearing on June 24, 2026, regarding a hearing examiner's decision to approve a preliminary plat permit for Tahuya Land Company LLC to subdivide 22.04 acres into 105 single-family residential lots. The appellants challenged the approval, arguing that the hearing examiner erred by approving the plat without a required groundwater mounding analysis as mandated by the Thurston County Code and Drainage Manual, citing concerns about potential groundwater flooding in the Salmon Creek drainage basin. The applicant and their counsel contended that the mounding analysis is required only prior to final engineering approval, not at the preliminary plat stage, and that all necessary reviews and permits, including drainage compliance, would be completed before any construction or land clearing. The board heard arguments on the timing and interpretation of drainage requirements but did not take a vote during the meeting, indicating a written decision would be issued by July 13, 2026. No direct procurement or contracting decisions were made during this hearing.