The Comprehensive Plan (the “Plan”) is a document that guides the City of Monroe decisions on local policy, planning, and capital facility investment over a 20-year time period. The Plan acts as a blueprint for development in the City; it will impact neighborhoods, businesses, traffic, public facilities and services, the environment, and you. The Plan is also meant to reflect the vision and priorities of Monroe communities and residents, while meeting requirements of state and federal law. The Monroe City Council and City staff are responsible for carrying out the policies of the Plan.

Washington State’s Growth Management Act (GMA) requires each city and county to periodically review and update their Comprehensive Plans. This is an opportunity to revise population and employment growth forecasts with the most up to date data, review existing policies to ensure they make sense for the communities they serve, write new policies that reflect the priorities of the communities of Monroe, and confirm that all federal, state, and local requirements are met.

• Land Use
• Housing
• Capital Facilities Plan
• Utilities
• Transportation
• Economic Development

• Conservation (RCW 36.70A.080)
• Solar Energy (RCW 36.70A.080)
• Recreation (RCW 36.70A.080)
• Subarea Plans (neighborhoods, rural villages, urban growth areas, tribal areas, etc.)

• Water System Plan
• Sanitary Sewer Plan
• Stormwater System Plan
• Transportation System Plan

Every parcel in the City of Monroe is assigned a Comprehensive Plan land use and zoning district designation. Comprehensive Plan designations set the long-term vision for properties and identify generalized uses such as industrial or multi-family residential. Zoning designations, which by law must be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan designations, provide more detail on permitted uses and development standards. The City must maintain a certain amount of residential and commercial growth capacity in certain areas of the County. The Snohomish County-Wide Planning Policies (CPPs) provide growth targets for different areas of the County, and the Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with these goals.

Once a new Comprehensive Plan is adopted, the City will pursue an update of the Zoning Ordinance. The update will address inconsistencies between the Comprehensive Plan designations and current Zoning designations.

The State Environmental Policy Act, commonly called SEPA, requires state and local agencies to consider the likely significant adverse impacts of planning actions such as adopting comprehensive plans and development regulations. If the proposed plans or regulations would allow activities to occur that are likely to have significant adverse impacts, those impacts must be addressed during environmental review.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will evaluate three different growth alternatives, including a “no-action” alternative. The EIS will include an analysis of potential impacts associated with amendments, and the public is given an opportunity to comment on the EIS. Ultimately, a “preferred alternative” will be selected to move forward through the public process.

The Comprehensive Plan Update is an opportunity for residents, business owners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss how the City will grow through 2044. There will be many opportunities to participate, including meetings, open houses, online surveys, and public hearings. You can join the email list or receive notification of upcoming events through our website. If you have any questions, or would like to provide us with comments, please contact visit our Contact Us page.

Public input from every engagement opportunity is recorded and cataloged to ensure that City staff and decisionmakers have a full understanding of public sentiment when drafting goals and policies. Public feedback on Comprehensive Plan materials (including goals and policies) will be considered when making final revisions.

Snohomish County is also preparing an update to their existing Comprehensive Plan. They have released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which identifies potential adverse impacts and possible mitigation measures. The 45-day comment period is open from September 6 through October 23, 2023. The County maintains a webpage with project documents, including the DEIS, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.