July 15, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting

The Thurston County Planning Commission held a meeting on July 15, 2026, primarily focused on land use planning matters including zoning ordinance amendments and the open space tax program. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the Baldwin open space tax application, which involves enrolling 159.66 acres of agricultural land in the open space tax program to preserve it for future agricultural use. The commission discussed eligibility criteria, tax reductions, and concerns about potential changes in agricultural use intensity and zoning impacts. They unanimously voted to set a public hearing for August 19, 2026, to accept public comment on the Baldwin application. Additionally, the commission reviewed proposed updates to the county's critical areas ordinance, particularly flood hazard regulations, incorporating climate change considerations and seeking to balance flexibility for redevelopment with safety and environmental protections. The meeting included public comments on climate change impacts, flood risks, and land use planning, but no direct contract awards or procurement decisions were made.