Where will you be in 20 years? The City of Monroe is asking community members to work together to create a visionary blueprint for the future of our City. This updated 2044 Comprehensive Plan will analyze population and employment growth, housing, transportation, parks, the environment, and many other features to guide development and decision-making in the future.
Input from the community is essential to the development of the vision, goals, and policy statements. We need you to be part of the community-wide discussion to update existing and create new policies and actions for a wide range of topics. This process represents an opportunity for residents, regardless of income, education, ethnicity or race, and the business community to share their ideas for the future of Monroe, both in terms of near-term actions and a long-term vision.
Latest
Happenings
The City released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) over the summer and gathered public input on different elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
Join us for upcoming workshops and public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council!
During the workshops the Planning Commission and City Council will review and discuss the final draft of the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. During the public hearings, the decision-making bodies will hear public testimony and take formal action on the Comprehensive Plan update, Future Land Use Map, citywide zoning changes, and pre-annexation actions for unincorporated Monroe.
Save the date!
- Planning Commission Workshops: September 9th, 16th, and 23rd
- Planning Commission Public Hearing: Monday, September 30th @ 7:00 PM
- City Council Workshops: October 1st, 15th, and 22nd
- City Council Public Hearing: Tuesday, November 12th @ 7:00 PM
Get Involved
FAQ
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.
Mandatory Elements
- Land Use
- Housing
- Capital Facilities Plan
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Economic Development
Optional Elements
- 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.)
In addition, Monroe has several system plans that will need to be updated. These include:
- 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.
Project documents
As the update to the Monroe Comprehensive Plan Update moves forward, associated documents will be posted for public information and review. Check here frequently, as documents will be posted on a regular basis.
Additional Documents
Draft 2044 Comprehensive Plan Documents
Chapter 2 – Imagine Monroe and Guiding Principles
Chapter 5 – Economic Development
Chapter 7 – Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS)
Chapter 8 – Capital Facilities
Chapter 10 – Shorelines and Natural Environment
Appendix 1-B Final SEPA Documentation (to come)
Appendix 1-C Community Engagement Plan and Summary
Appendix 3-A Land Use Capacity Analysis
Appendix 4-A Monroe Transportation Plan
Appendix 4-B Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
Appendix 5-A Existing Conditions
Appendix 6-A Housing Action Plan (HAP)
Appendix 6-B Racial Disparate Impacts (RDI) Analysis
Appendix 6-C Emergency Housing Analysis
Appendix 6-D Inclusive Community Analysis
Appendix 7-B Trails Master Plan 2024
Appendix 8-B Municipal Facilities
Appendix 8-C Utility Systems Plans (available upon request – due to file size)
Appendix 8-D School Districts CFPs
Appendix 9-A PUD Utility Priorities
Appendix 10-A Climate Change Impact Analysis
Appendix 10-B Watershed Planning Assessment
Appendix 10-C Shoreline Master Program
Project Documents
SEPA Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
SEPA Determination of Significance and EIS Scoping
Background Information: Project Webmap
Public Outreach and Engagement
Phase 1 Outreach and Engagement Overview
Phase 1 Detailed Outreach and Engagement Summary
Outreach and Engagement Handout – English
Outreach and Engagement Handout – Spanish
Resolution Adopting Engagement Plan
Community Advisory Committee
December 4, 2023 CAC Meeting #2 Presentation and Summary
September 28, 2023 CAC Meeting #1 Presentation and Summary
Planning Commission and City Council
November 28, 2023 City Council Presentation
October 23, 2023 Planning Commission Presentation
Monroe 2044 Environmental Review
Monroe’s Comprehensive Plan is updated about every 10 years. The update includes an environmental impact statement as a requirement of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to identify potential adverse impacts, and possible mitigation measures. The City of Monroe issued the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on May 14, 2024, you can review the document in its entirety or by chapter below:
Chapter 3: Land Use, Aesthetics, and Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
Chapter 4: Shorelines and Natural Environment
Chapter 5: Population, Employment, and Housing
Chapter 6: Capital Facilities and Utilities
A SEIS is an informational document that provides the City, public, and other agencies with environmental information to be considered in the decision-making process related to the 2024 Update. It also allows the public and government agencies to comment on the alternatives. The Draft SEIS analyzes two alternatives: the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action.
You can learn more about SEPA by viewing the Washington Department of Ecology State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Handbook. Read more on how to review and comment on SEPA documents here.
Public Comment Period
The City of Monroe requested comments from citizens, agencies, tribes, and all interested parties on the Draft SEIS from May 14, 2024 to June 14, 2024. Written, mailed, and verbal comments were due by 4:30 PM PST, June 14, 2024.
schedule
The update to the Monroe Comprehensive Plan is anticipated to be a two-year process. Below is a summary of the overall schedule. A variety of community outreach and public engagement activities that will be held throughout the process. Check back frequently and/or sign up for our email notifications to stay up to date.
The final deadline for adoption of any updates related to this project is December 2024.
Summer-Winter 2022: Monroe Today
Constraints and Opportunites (current)
- Baseline Conditions Analysis
- Regulatory and Equity Audit
- Identify Issues and Opportunities
- Joint Planning Commission and City Council Meeting
- SEPA Scoping
Winter 2022/2023
Exploring Options for Monroe’s Future (upcoming)
- Exploring Options for Monroe’s Future (upcoming)
- Community Priorities Workshop
- Identify Areas of Potential Change
- Study and Identify Land Use/Transportation Options
- Land Use Mapping Open House
- Prepare Facility Plan and Transportation Plan Updates
Spring 2023 – Winter 2024
Preparing a Plan for Monroe 2044 (upcoming)
- Prepare Draft Comprehensive Plan
- Prepare Draft Environmental Impact Study
- Public Review of Documents
- Comprehensive Plan Open House
Summer-Fall 2024
Adopting the Monroe 2044 Comprehensive Plan (upcoming)
- Adopt Final 2044 General Plan and Environmental Impact Study
- Planning Commission and City Council Public Hearings
Community Engagement (ongoing)
- Stakeholder Meetings and Focus Groups
- Community Advisory Committee Meetings
- Community Priorities Workshop
- Future Land Use Map Open House
- Comprehensive Plan Open House
- Pop-up Events
- Online Survey
- Social Media
- Email Campaigns
- Planning Commission and City Council Meetings
Summer 2022 - Winter 2023: Monroe Today
Constraints and Opportunities (completed)
- Baseline Conditions Analysis (Assessment and Plans Review)
- Inclusive Planning Assessment
- Identify Issues and Opportunities
- Joint Planning Commission and City Council Meeting
Spring 2023 - Summer 2023
Exploring Options for Monroe’s Future (completed)
- Community Priorities Workshop
- Identify Areas of Potential Change
- SEPA Scoping
- Study and Identify Land Use/Transportation Options
- Land Use Mapping Open House
- Prepare Facility Plan and Transportation Plan Updates
Fall 2023 - Winter 2024
Preparing a Plan for Monroe 2044 (completed)
- Prepare Draft Comprehensive Plan
- Prepare Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Study
- Public Review of Documents
- Comprehensive Plan Open House
Summer-Fall 2024
Adopting the Monroe 2044 Comprehensive Plan (current)
- Adopt Final 2044 General Plan and Supplemental Environmental Impact Study
- Planning Commission and City Council Public Hearings
Community Engagement (ongoing)
- Stakeholder Meetings and Focus Groups
- Community Advisory Committee Meetings
- Community Priorities Workshop
- Future Land Use Map Open House
- Comprehensive Plan Open House
- Pop-up Events
- Online Survey
- Social Media
- Email Campaigns
- Planning Commission and City Council Meetings
Contact us
We look forward to hearing from you! Sharing your ideas will help shape Monroe’s future and help us understand important issues.
There are several ways to be involved in the 2024 Update.
to receive text or email notifications, including our newsletter, information about outreach events, surveys, and other public participation opportunities.
Send us an email
at PlanUpdate@monroewa.gov to let us know what you think. What do you want to see in your neighborhood?
submit a comment
related to the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Update. This form can also be used to contact us with any questions about the Comprehensive Plan process or to request more information.
Comments will be sent to: PlanUpdate@monroewa.gov