Comprehensive Plan 2024
UPDATE June 2024
After numerous public meetings before the Planning Commission and the City Council, the draft Comprehensive Plan Elements of the Periodic Update of the Medina Comprehensive Plan, 2024, were approved to go to the various regional and state agencies for review in May 2024. Once these agencies have commented the elements will return for review of the comments in public meetings before the Council and Planning Commission in September 2024. A public hearing on the entire Comp Plan is tentatively scheduled for September 23, 2024, with final adoption proposed for October 14, 2024.
As part of this phase of the Comp Plan review process, the City has done the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) Checklist process and issued a Threshold Determination. Governmental agencies use this checklist to help determine whether the environmental impacts of a proposal are significant. This information is also helpful to determine if available avoidance, minimization, or compensatory mitigation measures will address the probable significant impacts or if an environmental impact statement will be prepared to further analyze the proposal.
The proposal is a non-project action that applies city-wide (4.8 square miles). The City of Medina proposes to update its Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Growth Management Act (GMA) Periodic Update requirements. The proposal would amend portions of the Medina Municipal Code (MMC) Title 16 to implement and align with amendments made in the Comprehensive Plan update. The proposal would ensure city policy and regulatory consistency and ensure GMA Periodic Update consistency (Revised Code of Washington [RCW] 36.70A).
The lead agency (the City of Medina) for this non-project action has determined that it does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c). Therefore, a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) has been issued. The public is welcome to comment on this Threshold Determination per the instructions of the attached DNS document. Comments should be submitted by email to Jonathan Kesler, AICP, Planning Manager, at jkesler@medina-wa.gov or brought by or mailed to Mr. Kesler’s attention at: Development Services Dept., Medina City Hall, 501 Evergreen Point Rd., Medina, WA 98039. All comments should be received by Monday, July 8, 2024, at 4:00 pm.
In addition to the DNS, interested parties may view the complete SEPA Environmental Checklist and the proposed Comprehensive Plan Elements currently under review with regional and state government agencies.
Medina's Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that describes how Medina will manage its growth and provide necessary services and facilities over a 20-year planning horizon. The Comprehensive Plan receives a major update every ten years as required by state law. The Current Plan was adopted in 2015.
Throughout 2022-2024, the City will be conducting a major update to the Comprehensive Plan with a completion date of December 2024. Over the next two years the City will conduct a robust community engagement process to update the Plan. On February 13, 2023, City Council adopted Resolution 430 which adopted a Public Participation Plan, or outlines the way the City will be communicating with residents, throughout the update. You may look at the Public Participation Plan here.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a document that captures and puts into action the visions of city residents. Do you want Medina to have more green spaces? A senior center? Wider bike lanes? A bustling corner store?
This is your opportunity to help create the blueprint for how Medina will look in the next 20 years. Check out the Comprehensive Plan 2024 project page on EngageMedina for the most recent information regarding surveys, meetings, and our progress!
How does the Comprehensive Plan update affect me?
The Comprehensive Plan update is an opportunity to share your ideas for Medina’s future for the next 20 years. Once the vision for the city is clear, the plan will make recommendations for new policies, programs, and regulations to help make that vision a reality. The plan will also identify and make recommendations for necessary improvements to public infrastructure to support the City’s desired future. Lastly, participating in the Comprehensive Plan update process is a great opportunity to give back to your community and get to know some of your neighbors.
Who decides what the Comprehensive Plan says?
The City engages with the community to develop a shared vision for Medina based on common values, goals, and desires. Using this community feedback, state and regional requirements, planning best practices, guidance from City Council, and in collaboration with city staff, the Medina Planning Commission prepares a draft of the Plan. The draft will be discussed during public meetings and well publicized public hearings, both of which will offer opportunities for the public to provide comments. Planning Commission's recommendation on the draft Plan will be forwarded to City Council. The Medina City Council will also hold a well publicized public hearing and is ultimately responsible for adopting the Comprehensive Plan Update.
What other factors must be considered during this Comprehensive Plan update?
A Comprehensive Plan puts forth a description of the relationship between and the management of Medina’s land use, infrastructure, fiscal health, and natural environment with the desired future for the community. In Washington, our Growth Management Act provides a framework for comprehensive planning and describes the importance of regional collaboration. In the case of the Puget Sound area, this Comprehensive Plan will align with the Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050, which establishes goals for the region. In addition, there are policies embedded in King County’s Countywide Planning Policies that will be reviewed for their relevance to this plan update. The final Comprehensive Plan will be reviewed by state agencies, such as the Department of Commerce.
How is the Comprehensive Plan used?
The Comprehensive Plan is a decision-making tool for use by Medina’s staff, Planning Commission, and Council. By encapsulating the community’s vision, values, and goals for its future, it is also a great resource for potential investors and developers seeking to invest in the community. As such, it is a marketing tool, and it is reviewed when applying for some grants from King County, Washington agencies, and the federal government.
What topics are addressed in the Comprehensive Plan?
Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 36.70A.070), the City of Medina is required to have Land Use, Housing, Utilities, Transportation, and Capital Facilities Elements in the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the City of Medina’s 2015 Comprehensive Plan has a Natural Environment, Community Design, and Parks and Open Space Element.
