June 17, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting

The Thurston County Planning Commission held a meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to conduct a public hearing on open space applications and review the geologically hazardous areas critical area ordinance (CAO) gap analysis. The meeting began with commissioner introductions and approval of the agenda and June 3rd meeting minutes. Public comment focused on the CAO gap analysis, with several speakers requesting more time for community review of proposed code changes and suggesting improvements including adding references to best available science and addressing anthropogenic geological hazards. Staff presented the geologically hazardous areas gap analysis, explaining how climate change impacts and updated mapping from the Department of Natural Resources informed the proposed changes. The Planning Commission then conducted a public hearing on open space applications for the Gardner Revocable Living Trust and Brendan McCown properties, where staff explained the tax reduction benefits and conservation requirements. After public testimony, the Planning Commission unanimously approved the classification of 33.37 and 155.2 acres of the properties as open space land for current use assessment. The conversation ended with discussion of the next meeting schedule and a correction to the meeting minutes regarding Mrs. Whitaker's presentation about beaver populations and wildlife corridors.