In Ellensburg, Washington, the community was divided on where, how or even whether to locate big-box retail in the city. During its 2005 comprehensive plan update process, Studio Cascade proposed, researched and vetted a total of five strategies to deal with the issue – including the traffic and land-use implications of each. A combination of strategies was ultimately incorporated into the plan, with a draft impact fee analysis to help sustain the City’s policies.

The City and SCI worked aggressively on public participation, using interviews, an advisory committee, an all-inclusive website, event polling, mail-outs, display ads and circulars, workshops and open house meetings. By the conclusion of the process independent scientific polling indicated more than 14 percent of the community’s voting residents had participated in the process, and a full 57% of the populace considered themselves either “very” or “somewhat” familiar with the comprehensive planning process.

For more, see our Acrobat® format cut-sheet linked below:

Ellensburg Comp Plan – cutsheet