Leavenworth adopts 2026 Comprehensive Plan

LEAVENWORTH — The Leavenworth City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Oct. 27, which includes suggestions from public comments regarding small-town character, open space, and inclusionary zoning.

The additional changes in the final plan balanced the Residents Coalition of Chelan County’s (RC3) requests with the city’s housing priorities.

Over the previous two council meetings, Residents Coalition of Chelan County (RC3) asked the council to include four additional goals and policies to the plan: minimize development impacts on existing neighborhoods and preserve their character; preserve existing neighborhoods and housing; explore inclusionary zoning to support affordable housing; and require private development to contribute to common open space or recreational facilities to offset impacts on existing parks.

The changes include the addition of a new goal that calls for preserving small town character by ensuring new development is compatible with its surroundings while also accommodating types and densities that meet the city’s housing needs.

The accompanying policies encourage the development of affordable middle housing types “that fit the form and scale of neighborhoods,” the use of clear and objective standards for different intensities of development, and consideration of inclusionary zoning incentives.

During the Oct. 27 meeting, city staff and the Planning Commission recommended changes to the last additional policy, which requires new subdivisions to have usable open space or recreation facilities that are proportionate to the demand they create.

As written, staff and commissioners believed the language could be interpreted as regulatory and restrictive, particularly toward smaller developments. They recommended replacing “require” with “encourage” and explicitly stating “major subdivisions.”

“My concern is, I don't know how ‘encourage’ has any teeth,” said council member Clint Strand.

Barry clarified that enforcement language such as “require” was more appropriate for development regulations; the comprehensive plan is intended to be a broad vision.

The council agreed to change the policy language to “encourage useful open space or recreational facilities in new major subdivisions that are proportionate to the demand they create, consistent with the city's adopted park service standards.”

“We can and will support this. I think you did a very good job, and you have our support,” said RC3 member Brian Shugrue.

The city's 2026 Comprehensive Plan update, which is mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), revises nine chapters of the plan to comply with new state laws, accommodate updated population allocations, and integrate a new Climate Resilience element. The city is required to update the plan by Dec. 31.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media