The Planning Commission assists in preparing the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, and land use-related regulations for Lakewood in accordance with state law.
Schedule, Agendas, and Minutes
The Lakewood Planning Commission meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakewood Council Chambers, 6000 Main Street SW, unless otherwise posted.
- December 7
- November 2
- October 19
- October 5
- September 21
- August no meetings scheduled
- July 20
- July 13
- July 6
- June 15
- June 8
- June 1
- May 18
- May 4
- April 20
- March 30
- March 16
- Agenda
- Minutes
- March 2
- February 2
- January 19
- January 5
Description
The role of the Planning Commission is to assist the City Council in the following areas:
Planning Issues:
- Assists City personnel in preparing a Comprehensive Plan for the City in accordance with state law to be submitted to the City Council for consideration of adoption.
- Recommends to the City Council such changes, amendments, or additions to the Comprehensive Plan as may be deemed desirable.
- Recommends land use and zoning regulations as deemed necessary. Act as the research agency of the City in regard to land uses, housing, capital facilities, utilities, transportation, and in regard to classification of lands as agriculture, forest, mineral lands, critical areas, wetlands, and geologically hazardous areas. Undertakes surveys, analyses, research, and reports as requested by the City Council.
- Cooperates with planning agencies of other cities and counties, including regional planning agencies, to conduct further research; and
- Annually provides to the City Council a report on progress made in implementing the goals and requirements of State law and on the status of land use policies and procedures within the city.
Redevelopment Issues:
- Facilitate cooperation and coordination between various business groups and impacted neighborhoods on business issues;
- Facilitate the formation of specific neighborhood commercial business groups to assist in the enhancement of various existing commercial areas, aid in stabilizing and retaining commercial enterprises within these areas to maintain viability as a commercial area, and help in identifying specific needs of businesses within various commercial areas.
- Make recommendations to the City Council for programs in which the City should participate to enhance commercial development opportunities, which programs may be in cooperation with any appropriate private, public, civic, or community agency, group, or association of or in the City, county, state or federal government;
- Recommend ways and means of obtaining private, local, county, state, or federal funds and other participation for the promotion of business development projects within the City, especially those of an incubator type;
- Work with City of Lakewood staff, City Council, task forces, and other City/community-based groups, as directed by the City Council, on relevant issues and projects; and
- Assist in database development for the creation and maintenance of a community profile.
Transportation Issues:
- Facilitate cooperation and coordination with the Public Works Department of the City on street, public works and transportation, and infrastructure-related projects and plans,
- Identify, evaluate and recommend to the City Council, City Manager, and/or City staff policies and projects for the City, an annual update of its Six-Year Transportation Plan, and for other transportation and infrastructure planning purpose of the City,
- Recommend ways and means of obtaining private, local county, state, or federal funds for the promotion of transportation and infrastructure facilities of the City, and
- Advise the City Council on the acquisition, replacement, and maintenance of transportation and infrastructure facilities of the City
- Advise the City as to the manner that public information on street-related projects can best be disseminated, given the nature and/or scope of the projects.
- Advise the City Council regarding transportation-related facilities, needs, and programs of the City, as may be referred by the City Council.
Membership
- Phillip Combs, Vice Chair (Term through December 15, 2026)
- Robert Estrada, Chair (Term through December 15, 2026)
- Mark Herr (Term through December 15, 2028)
- Linn Larsen (Term through December 15, 2026)
- Philip Lindholm (Term through December 15, 2028)
- Ellen Talbo (Term through December 15, 2028)
- Sharon Kay Wallace (Term through December 15, 2028)
- Councilmember Paul Bocchi (Council Liaison)
Committee members must attend regular meetings. If members miss three or more meetings, they may be dismissed by City Council.
Board members must vote on various business decisions. A majority vote is required to follow through with any decisions.
Up to seven members are on the Planning Commission.
Members must be residents of the City unless the Council finds that the appointment of a non-resident, by virtue of business involvement or expertise, will benefit the Commission and ultimately the city.
The members of the Advisory Board are appointed members of the public. They are chosen based on their representation of those affected by the Planning Committee’s decisions.
Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, City of Lakewood, 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, or online: Application_for_Appointment.
Members are selected by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.
Materials
Contact
City of Lakewood – City Clerk
6000 Main Street SW
Lakewood WA 98499
(253) 983-7705