Lake Forest Park Comprehensive Plan Update 2024

Project Overview

Lake Forest Park is working on the required periodic update of its Comprehensive Plan (also called the “Comp Plan”).  The Comp Plan memorializes the community’s vision for the future and sets goals and policies for growth, infrastructure, and services necessary to achieve the vision and align with the community’s values and priorities.

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) requires cities and counties to review and update their Comp Plans every 10 years (the “periodic update”) for consistency with state law and regional plans.  Lake Forest Park is required to update its plan by December 31, 2024.

Lake Forest Park has changed since the 2015 periodic update, and more change is expected to comply with recent legislative changes and regional transportation plans.  It’s time to update our Comp Plan to proactively plan for the next 20 years.

What’s in the Comprehensive Plan?

The 2024 Comprehensive Plan will update the elements in the 2015 Comp Plan and add the new, required Climate element. We anticipate these elements will be included:

• Land Use
• Environmental Quality and Shorelines
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Community Services & Public Safety
• Capital Facilities
• Parks, Trails, and Open Space
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Climate

We know there are some big changes to address, and early conversations will focus on:

• Housing: We need a plan for accommodating growth over the next 20 years, including identifying housing needs for people across all income levels and in all stages of life. The plan needs to be consistent with recent legislation.
• Climate: We need to integrate initiatives from the Climate Action Plan, including addressing greenhouse gas emissions, EV charging stations, green construction, and preserving tree canopy. We need to consider planning for resilience.
• Transportation: We need to incorporate the Safe Highway and Safe Streets planning initiatives to improve infrastructure throughout the city.