Pierce County Planning and Land Services has scheduled four meetings around the county to gather public input on proposed adjustments to some of the land use designations in rural areas.

The adjustment is part of the update to Pierce County’s Comprehensive Plan, which follows state requirements to plan for housing, transportation and other community needs while managing urban growth and reducing sprawl.

Under the state’s Growth Management Act, the county is required to establish criteria for designating lands that have the potential of being used for agricultural purposes in the long term. The proposed criteria include land on which the soil is classified as prime agricultural soils and the property is larger than five acres.

There are approximately 3,000 property owners whose lands meet the proposed criteria for Agricultural Resource Lands but are currently under a Rural land classification. About 300 additional properties that are currently designated as Agricultural Resource Lands do not meet the proposed criteria and would be changed to a Rural land designation. The county mailed notices to owners of properties with proposed adjustments.

Here is the schedule of community meetings:

– Thursday, Feb. 5, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Foothills Elementary School 10621 234th Ave East, Buckley, WA

– Monday, Feb. 9, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Key Peninsula Civic Center VFW Room 17010 S Vaughn Road KPH, Vaughn, WA

– Tuesday, Feb. 10, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Eatonville Community Center 305 Center Street West, Eatonville WA

– Thursday, Feb. 12, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Kapowsin Elementary 10412 264th St E, Graham WA

More information can be found here.