Long Range Planning

Long Range Planning prepares the City for the expected changes in the coming years.  This division of CPD provides the staff support for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and development code regulations.  The City Council adds projects to the long-range planning work program through a yearly process called the Annual Docket.  Once a project is added to the work program by the City Council, staff will begin working through the required process.

Annual Docket

Once a year the public, Planning Commission, City Council, and City staff can propose development code and Comprehensive Plan amendments through a process called the Annual Docket.  Annual Docket applications are accepted September 1 through October 1 each year (MICC 19.15.230(D)(1)).  The Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council on which Annual Docket proposals should be added to the CPD work program after holding a public hearing.  The City Council considers the Planning Commission and staff recommendations when deciding which projects to add to the CPD work program for the following year.  The Annual Docket process is established in MICC 19.15.230.  For more information contact: Adam Zack, Senior Planner, at  adam.zack@mercerisland.gov or by phone 206-275-7719

The Annual Docket application form is available here.

Comprehensive Plan

The City updated its comprehensive plan in 2024 in a process called a “periodic review”.  This periodic review will extended the planning period for the Comprehensive Plan to the year 2044. The 2024 Comprehensive Plan update was adopted by Ordinance 24C-16.  Cities in King County will be required to conduct a comprehensive plan progress report in 2029. The 5-year progress report is the next scheduled review of the Comprehensive Plan.