Communities planning under the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) are required to update their comprehensive plans every ten years. The City of Stanwood is required by RCW 36.70A.130 to update its Comprehensive Plan by December 31, 2024. It is the City’s hope that the 2024 Comprehensive Planning process will generate community excitement and lead to new investment in the City while preserving its historic character. The goal of the update is that the Comprehensive Plan provides an effective means to achieve renewed community vitality that can support Stanwood residents for many years to come.

The City of Stanwood’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in June of 2015, with various updates and amendments in the subsequent years. With the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update, the city desires to have an updated, well-organized, concise plan that is user-friendly and complies with the requirements of the Growth Management Act and the Puget Sound Regional Council Policy Vision 2050.

There are two primary objectives of the Comprehensive Plan update: 1) examine the challenges faced by the community and provide strategies for overcoming those challenges, and 2) identify opportunities for community growth as outlined in the Puget Sound Regional Vision 2050 Plan while preserving the City’s small-town vision and quality of life. The City wants to ensure that growth occurs in a way that considers the quality of life, placemaking, and other community character goals. This update is not about adopting a new vision for the community but instead builds upon decades of planning activities to update and refine the vision for the community.

The updated plan should inspire, guide, and direct growth during the next 20-year planning horizon while being sensitive to existing residents and businesses. The City desires to have significant and meaningful community engagement in preparing the plan using various methods, including online participation options. Check out the progress on the simultaneous Stanwood Municipal Code update here https://stanwoodwa.org/554/Municipal-Code-Update

We are continuously accepting public comments and feedback throughout this process.

How to Comment:

• Email – patricia.love@ci.stanwood.wa.us
• Phone – Community Development Department - 360-629-2181
• In Writing – Community Development Department, 10220 270^th Street NW, Stanwood, WA 98292