College Place begins comprehensive-plan update; Martin Airfield and Safe Streets work on May agendas

City Administrator Mike Ristelho said College Place is starting an update of its comprehensive plan and a land-capacity analysis that will inform urban growth area changes and growth management requirements tied to the state.

Ristelho said the Planning Commission will meet third Tuesdays through the rest of 2025 to review sections of the comprehensive plan; the plan covers housing, economic development, transportation and natural resources, and the state now requires a climate-change chapter. He said the land-capacity analysis will be the mechanism for residents to petition to add land to the urban growth area, while noting the ultimate allocation is a county decision: "The UGA process is not fully dictated by the city… ultimately, it ends up at the county commissioner's bench for doing the final vote."

Ristelho said the Martin Airfield plan will be discussed by the Economic Development, Tourism and Events Commission and by advisory committees because of infrastructure connections. He also said the city is part of a federally funded Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program that will inform road-safety and accessibility improvements for the next several years.

Ristelho urged residents interested in participating in urban growth area petitions or plan review to contact Community Development Director John Rickard for details.