PRESS RELEASE - City Comprehensive Plan to be Reviewed by Growth Management Hearings Board

The Comprehensive Plan and implementing development regulations remain in effect during this process.

Monday, February 23, 2026

PORT TOWNSEND – On Friday, February 20, 2026, the City of Port Townsend was served by Affordable Hometown Port Townsend with a Petition for Review (appeal) of the City’s December 15, 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Update to the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB). The GMHB is a state board, appointed by the Governor to review a community’s compliance with the Growth Management Act.  

The City will review the Petition and respond to the GMHB’s process. The City’s Comprehensive Plan and implementing development regulations remain in effect and are presumed to be valid. 

This process is a legal proceeding, and the City will not make specific comments on matters of the Petition as the process moves forward.  The Petition and information on the Comprehensive Planning process are available on the City’s website.   

After a hearing at the GMHB, the Board will issue a final decision and order. The final decision and order will find the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan compliant or non-compliant with the Growth Management Act.  

On behalf of the community, the City will defend in earnest the substantial work and contributions of the public culminating in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. 

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For questions about the Growth Management Hearings Board, please see the Growth Management Hearings Board website and January 2026 version of the Growth Management Hearings Board Handbook. 

Access the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Review and Update webpage.

Access the 2025 Periodic Review project website, including links to the adopted plan, development regulations, appendices, and related documents created during the planning process.

Access the Petition for Review filed by Affordable Hometown Port Townsend.