Futurewise

Futurewise advocates for healthy, equitable and wise local planning and land use policies across the state. In 2022, Futurewise began education and advocacy regarding comprehensive plan updates that will shape growth in Central Puget Sound. Futurewise continued watershed planning in Port Angeles and wetland protection community engagement in Algona. Futurewise helped launch a new housing advocacy coalition in Spokane and continued housing coalition advocacy in East King County, each with a focus on the connection between housing and land use and planning policy.

Futurewise appeals local planning and development regulations that harm the environment, farmland, and communities and violate state law. In 2022, Futurewise won an appeal of the Spokane County capital facilities plan at the State Court of Appeals. This win clarifies requirements for capital facilities planning that will help ensure communities have the infrastructure and services they need, including fire-fighting services in areas at high fire risk. Futurewise also won a decision by the Growth Management Hearings Board to protect thousands of acres of farmland in Franklin County.

Futurewise advocates for healthy, equitable and wise planning and land use policies at the state level. In 2022, Futurewise successfully advocated to close loopholes that were allowing suburban development on farmland and wildlife habitat that should be protected. This win was the culmination of over a decade of advocacy on this issue. Our advocacy also helped lead to the sunsetting of community council municipal corporations, an outdated governance model that obstructed affordable housing and created legal liabilities for cities.