City of Auburn - 2024 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update

Climate Element Framework Available - November 29, 2023

As part of the 2024 Periodic Comprehensive Plan, the City of Auburn will be incorporating the city's first Climate Element. In May 2023, The Washington State Legislature passed HB 1181 which requires cities to plan for climate change in comprehensive plans through adoption of a Climate Element and Transportation Element by 2029. To begin building a foundation for future climate planning, contracted with Cascadia Consulting to develop a Climate Element Framework which provides recommendations on information to include in our Climate Element as well as address future state requirements.

The Climate Element Framework is available to view under the "Project Documents" widget to the right of this page, or by clicking HERE. The draft Climate Element, in addition to other Comprehensive Plan Elements, are scheduled to be out for public review in Q1/Q2 2024.

Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Scoping Notice Available - October 23, 2023

Invitation to Comment and Notice for the 2024 Auburn Comprehensive Plan. Scoping Period October 23, 2023 to November 13, 2023 for the 2024 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update. The proposal is a non-project action to update the Comprehensive Plan per state requirements. The previous Periodic Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2015 and has provided the framework for development of the city for the past 8-years. The revised 2024 Comprehensive Plan is envisioned to supplement the existing plan by providing a refreshed perspective of the land use, development, and transportation options serving the city while complying with state, regional, and county requirements.

More information on this Scoping Notice can be found here: https://www.auburnwa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=11470638&pageId=19873246


Comprehensive Plan Public Open House - April 25, 2023

Staff will be at Washington Elementary gymnasium (20 E St NE) on April 25th from 4-7 PM presenting on the Comprehensive Plan, talking with residents on topics such as the vision for the city, plan goals, land use and housing, and other information. The community can drop-in at any point between 4-7 pm to learn more about the project and provide interactive feedback. This meeting is open to any and all who wish to attend. The community can drop-in at any point between 4-7 pm to learn more about the project and provide interactive feedback. For more information or questions, please contact Josh Steiner, Senior Planner, at jsteiner@auburnwa.gov.

2024-2044 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update Overview

The Growth Management Act requires that each city and county in Washington state conduct a periodic update of its comprehensive plan and development regulations per, RCW 36.70A.130 every eight (8) years. The City’s previous plan was substantially revised in December 2015, and Community Development is beginning the process of leading the periodic Comprehensive Plan update, which is currently due in June 2024. The Comprehensive Plan is a "long-range" 20-year plan that provides direction on how and where the city will grow through 2044. The City's is required to accommodate specific growth targets provided by regional and state authorities in the plan.

The City’s Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with recently adopted regional documents such as as Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050, King County Urban Growth Capacity Report, King and Pierce County Countywide Planning Policies. In addition, the Plan must address any state requirements adopted since the previous periodic plan that has not yet been addressed during the yearly annual comprehensive plan amendment process.

Concurrent with this process, Community Development staff is leading two other projects: the Auburn Downtown Plan & Planned Action project and Housing Action Plan (HAP) Implementation project, which will provide additional analysis to be included in the comprehensive plan.

What is the Timeline for the Comprehensive Plan Update?

In 2022-2024, the City is conducting a major update of the Comprehensive Plan, which is required to be adopted by December 2024. The City will be conducting community engagement throughout the update entire update process. A draft project timeline which covers anticipated efforts through 2023 can be seen below, and will be refined as the project progresses.

Key: PC = Planning Commission Meeting; CC = City Council Meeting



Comprehensive Plan Elements

The Comprehensive Plan consists of "Elements", which are similar to chapters in a book. City departments are responsible for updating each of their own respective Elements (Transportation, Parks, Utilities, Housing, etc.), which are then combined into one cohesive document for adoption near the end of the project. Throughout the Comprehensive Plan Update process, data, plans, and other information are shared among the departments to ensure consistency across all of the Elements. In addition, the Comprehensive Planning team will look for opportunities to coordinate on public outreach opportunities to ensure the community is able to be informed, and heard, throughout the process. A list of Elements and links to their 2024 update websites (as applicable) can be found below:

  • Core Comprehensive Plan (Executive Summary)
  • Land Use Element
  • Housing Element
  • Capital Facilities Element (includes water, sewer, and stormwater plans)
  • Utilities Element
  • Transportation Element - visit: www.auburnwa.gov/ctp
  • Economic Development Element
  • Parks and Recreation Element/Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan Update - visit: www.auburnwa.gov/PROS
  • Historic Preservation Element
  • Climate Element


Climate Element Framework Available - November 29, 2023

As part of the 2024 Periodic Comprehensive Plan, the City of Auburn will be incorporating the city's first Climate Element. In May 2023, The Washington State Legislature passed HB 1181 which requires cities to plan for climate change in comprehensive plans through adoption of a Climate Element and Transportation Element by 2029. To begin building a foundation for future climate planning, contracted with Cascadia Consulting to develop a Climate Element Framework which provides recommendations on information to include in our Climate Element as well as address future state requirements.

The Climate Element Framework is available to view under the "Project Documents" widget to the right of this page, or by clicking HERE. The draft Climate Element, in addition to other Comprehensive Plan Elements, are scheduled to be out for public review in Q1/Q2 2024.

Environmental Impact Study (EIS) Scoping Notice Available - October 23, 2023

Invitation to Comment and Notice for the 2024 Auburn Comprehensive Plan. Scoping Period October 23, 2023 to November 13, 2023 for the 2024 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update. The proposal is a non-project action to update the Comprehensive Plan per state requirements. The previous Periodic Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2015 and has provided the framework for development of the city for the past 8-years. The revised 2024 Comprehensive Plan is envisioned to supplement the existing plan by providing a refreshed perspective of the land use, development, and transportation options serving the city while complying with state, regional, and county requirements.

More information on this Scoping Notice can be found here: https://www.auburnwa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=11470638&pageId=19873246


Comprehensive Plan Public Open House - April 25, 2023

Staff will be at Washington Elementary gymnasium (20 E St NE) on April 25th from 4-7 PM presenting on the Comprehensive Plan, talking with residents on topics such as the vision for the city, plan goals, land use and housing, and other information. The community can drop-in at any point between 4-7 pm to learn more about the project and provide interactive feedback. This meeting is open to any and all who wish to attend. The community can drop-in at any point between 4-7 pm to learn more about the project and provide interactive feedback. For more information or questions, please contact Josh Steiner, Senior Planner, at jsteiner@auburnwa.gov.

2024-2044 Periodic Comprehensive Plan Update Overview

The Growth Management Act requires that each city and county in Washington state conduct a periodic update of its comprehensive plan and development regulations per, RCW 36.70A.130 every eight (8) years. The City’s previous plan was substantially revised in December 2015, and Community Development is beginning the process of leading the periodic Comprehensive Plan update, which is currently due in June 2024. The Comprehensive Plan is a "long-range" 20-year plan that provides direction on how and where the city will grow through 2044. The City's is required to accommodate specific growth targets provided by regional and state authorities in the plan.

The City’s Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with recently adopted regional documents such as as Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050, King County Urban Growth Capacity Report, King and Pierce County Countywide Planning Policies. In addition, the Plan must address any state requirements adopted since the previous periodic plan that has not yet been addressed during the yearly annual comprehensive plan amendment process.

Concurrent with this process, Community Development staff is leading two other projects: the Auburn Downtown Plan & Planned Action project and Housing Action Plan (HAP) Implementation project, which will provide additional analysis to be included in the comprehensive plan.

What is the Timeline for the Comprehensive Plan Update?

In 2022-2024, the City is conducting a major update of the Comprehensive Plan, which is required to be adopted by December 2024. The City will be conducting community engagement throughout the update entire update process. A draft project timeline which covers anticipated efforts through 2023 can be seen below, and will be refined as the project progresses.

Key: PC = Planning Commission Meeting; CC = City Council Meeting



Comprehensive Plan Elements

The Comprehensive Plan consists of "Elements", which are similar to chapters in a book. City departments are responsible for updating each of their own respective Elements (Transportation, Parks, Utilities, Housing, etc.), which are then combined into one cohesive document for adoption near the end of the project. Throughout the Comprehensive Plan Update process, data, plans, and other information are shared among the departments to ensure consistency across all of the Elements. In addition, the Comprehensive Planning team will look for opportunities to coordinate on public outreach opportunities to ensure the community is able to be informed, and heard, throughout the process. A list of Elements and links to their 2024 update websites (as applicable) can be found below:

  • Core Comprehensive Plan (Executive Summary)
  • Land Use Element
  • Housing Element
  • Capital Facilities Element (includes water, sewer, and stormwater plans)
  • Utilities Element
  • Transportation Element - visit: www.auburnwa.gov/ctp
  • Economic Development Element
  • Parks and Recreation Element/Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan Update - visit: www.auburnwa.gov/PROS
  • Historic Preservation Element
  • Climate Element


Page last updated: 29 Nov 2023, 04:06 PM