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The Long-Range Planning Division is responsible for creating Lakewood’s comprehensive plan and keeping it up to date. This plan is a vision for achieving a healthy and vibrant city over the coming 20 years. It carries out the state Growth Management Act as applied to the local level, with the participation of individual citizens, community groups, and appointed and elected officials. Under state law, the City’s comprehensive plan can be amended no more than once a year, and all amendments must be considered as a group. Often, zoning amendments are linked with such changes in order to streamline the process. A part of the Long-Range Planning Division’s work is developing and evaluating such amendments.
The City Council is ultimately responsible for adopting the plan, zoning, and any amendments.
Long-Range Planning also develops ordinances intended to implement the comprehensive plan such as the land use and development code ("zoning code"), the critical areas ordinance, and the City’s subdivision regulations.
The Division’s goal is to help create an increasingly cohesive and attractive community whose citizens are proud to call home. We strive to protect the City’s natural resources and provide quality planning for Lakewood’s future growth, working in partnership with other City departments, citizens, and neighboring jurisdictions. Staff from Long-Range Planning also work closely with Pierce County, nearby cities, and regional planning organizations to identify and address issues of regional importance.
The Long-Range Planning Division serves as primary support staff for the Planning Advisory Board (PAB) and Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board (LHAB). The PAB serves as the City Council’s chief advisors about land-use issues, the comprehensive plan, and implementing regulations, while the LHAB deals with historic preservation.
The Long-Range Planning Division is managed by Senior Planner Deborah Johnson under the direction of Economic Development Administrator Ellie Chambers.
Long Range Planning Links
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