A city’s comprehensive plan is a 20-year vision establishing goals, policies and implementation strategies surrounding a community’s growth. It focuses on land use, population and employment growth.
The Washington state Growth Management Act requires that all cities and counties update their comprehensive plans periodically, and Centralia’s is due for an update by June 30, 2025.
Elements that comprise the comprehensive plan include land use, environmental and climate factors, housing, economic development, historical preservation, public facilities and utilities, transportation, parks and recreation and capital facilities.
During the Centralia City Council’s meeting on Nov. 14, the council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a public participation plan for its comprehensive plan update.
It begins with a joint city council and planning commission workshop the public is welcome to attend, set for Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. in Centralia City Hall, located at 118 W. Maple St. in downtown Centralia.
“This is kind of the kick-off of a process that we’re going to be going through for the next year and a half,” Centralia Community Development Director Emil Pierson said.
This first workshop’s purpose will be for the council and planning commission to establish a vision, goals and policies for the update.
The council also approved an amendment to the comprehensive plan land use map — changing the zoning designations on several small parcels throughout Centralia — which will receive its second reading during the council’s next regular meeting on Nov. 28.
Pierson added there will be city staff operating pop-ups throughout the city to talk to residents, open houses and other workshops to gather more public input as they update the Centralia Comprehensive Plan.
A 2045 comprehensive plan housing simulation that allows users to see what Centralia would look like by deciding which neighborhoods 925 new housing units should be constructed in is currently available for residents on the city’s website.
Additionally, there will be surveys held to gather public input, and community members can request neighborhood group presentations on the comprehensive plan as well as email opinions or comments concerning the plan to Pierson at any time throughout the process at CentraliaCP2025@cityofcentralia.com.
Residents can sign up for an email list to be kept up to date on progress, upcoming workshops, public hearings and other public engagement events and new documents to review.
To learn more about the 2025 comprehensive plan update process and to use the 2045 comprehensive plan housing simulator, visit https://www.cityofcentralia.com/563/2025-Comprehensive-Plan-Update.
For more information or to sign up for the comprehensive plan update email list, email Pierson at CentraliaCP2025@cityofcentralia.com. Additionally, those looking for more information can also call the Centralia Community Development Department at 360-330-7662.
