Rezoning Impacts in Thurston County

Growth and rezoning continue as big issues in South Puget Sound. An article in today's Olympian details the tension between property owners feeling the pinch of restrictions and the county's proposed rezoning plan needed to comply with a ruling by the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board last year.

Thurston County's proposed rural plan amendments would create three new zoning districts:

1. Rural Protection, with a density of one dwelling unit per 10 acres. This is for areas that must be protected for public health and safety and to maintain the rural character.
2. Rural, with a density of one unit per 20 acres. This is for agriculture, forestry and low-density residential uses.
3. Urban Reserve, with a density of one unit per 20 acres. This is for rural lands adjacent to existing urban growth areas that are being kept on hold until future development occurs.

Interested in getting your two cents in? The Thurston County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Aug. 3 on the proposed rural zoning plan. The hearing, preceded by an open house that starts at 5:45 p.m., will be at the Norman Worthington Conference Center at Saint Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., in Lacey.

To see copies of the plan go to www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting/GMA/rural-rezoning.htm