On December 3, 2024, the North Bend City Council approved the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update and Zoning Map, marking the culmination of a two-year process to revise and modernize city planning documents. The updates aim to align with state and regional growth mandates while reflecting the community’s vision for the next 20 years.
“The updated Comprehensive Plan will guide important community investments over the next two decades,” said Mayor Miller. “After two years of hard work and deep review, we are confident this framework is in line with our community’s goals.”
The Plan’s adoption ensures compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA), legislative updates, Multicounty Planning Policies, and Countywide Planning Policies.
Additionally, the Plan helps maintain the City’s eligibility for vital state and federal funding for infrastructure and community projects. Key areas addressed include land use, housing, transportation, parks, economic development, energy and sustainability.
A Two-Year Process
The timeline for final approval was driven by the extensive amount of work required to complete the update. Living Snoqualmie directed questions about the timeline and process to Public Information Officer Bre Keveren, who provided responses from Principal Planner Mike McCarty and Community and Economic Development Director James Henderson.
McCarty explained that the City used the full two years to tackle the significant workload. “The City needed all the time available to bring through the immense amount of work for each Comprehensive Plan Element and the associated code amendments and zoning map.” This included public workshops, hearings, reviews by agencies, Indian Tribes, and community stakeholders, and a thorough State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review to evaluate environmental impacts.
To manage this complexity, the City Council adopted each Comprehensive Plan Element by resolution throughout 2024, allowing for incremental approval after thorough consideration. The ordinance passed in December represented the culmination of this methodical, step-by-step approach to finalizing the entire plan.
The Planning Commission held numerous meetings, workshops, and hearings in 2023 and 2024 to gather public input and refine proposals, ensuring the Plan reflected the community’s needs and concerns.
Community Feedback and Housing Solutions
Community feedback played a significant role in shaping the Comprehensive Plan. Specific changes were made to policies, development regulations, and zoning districts based on input from residents, agencies, Indian Tribes, and businesses. To address concerns about the potential impacts of multifamily housing on neighborhoods, the City focused on accommodating multifamily capacity in commercial zones rather than residential areas.
Housing affordability continues to be challenging for North Bend and the region. A Land Capacity Analysis conducted by consulting firm LDC identified an excess of land zoned for single-family homes but a shortage of land zoned for multifamily housing, which is crucial for lower price points.
To address this, the City revised its zoning to allow multifamily housing above commercial spaces and implemented policies to support diverse housing types, address displacement, and reduce costs for smaller units.
Key Updates and Future Planning
The Comprehensive Plan incorporates updates to comply with the Growth Management Act (GMA), Vision 2050, and recent legislation. These updates address topics such as housing affordability, equity, displacement, emergency needs housing, Tribal coordination, and permanent supportive housing.
The Economic Development Element of the Plan aligns with the City’s Economic Development Action Plan, adopted in June 2023. Community and Economic Development Director James Henderson highlighted goals such as supporting local businesses, enhancing walkability, and leveraging outdoor recreation and the arts to attract tourism and residents. “These initiatives aim to create a thriving community that is fiscally sustainable and welcoming to current and future residents,” Henderson said.
Transportation and Sustainability
The plan’s transportation updates emphasize multimodal infrastructure to promote sustainability and accommodate growth. The Transportation Element outlines projects to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit options while maintaining vehicle networks, aligning with regional sustainability goals.
Ensuring Environmental Protections
The Plan also strengthens environmental protections. McCarty noted that critical area regulations remain compliant with the Best Available Science, with only minor amendments made to critical area and shoreline policies based on state feedback. “There were no changes to required critical areas buffers,” he added.
Future Monitoring and Updates
The City will revisit the Comprehensive Plan in eight years to prepare for its next 10-year update deadline. “This ensures the Plan remains relevant to current conditions and laws,” McCarty said. Additional updates can also be made annually to address emerging issues.
The updated Plan positions North Bend to secure transportation, utility, and park project grants. McCarty emphasized the importance of a certified Comprehensive Plan for eligibility in programs through the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
To review the Comprehensive Plan Update, visit the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Comp Plan Updates webpage. Additional insights, including the December 3 City Council discussion, are available in the City Council Packet and Media Center.
