Walla Walla unveils draft 20-year comprehensive plan

WALLA WALLA — City officials and staff reviewed the preliminary draft of the Walla Walla 2046 Comprehensive Plan during the Walla Walla City Council work session Monday, framing the document as a 20-year blueprint to expand housing, integrate climate resilience, and balance future land use.

Deputy City Manager Preston Frederickson highlighted the milestone, emphasizing that the draft reflects over a year and a half of dedicated development.

“This plan really is a culmination of the community values, and again, it charts the path for the next 20 years as a vision of the city of Walla Walla,” Frederickson said. He noted that key updates include new state-mandated requirements to plan for housing across all income levels, expand active multi-modal transportation for bikes and pedestrians, and establish a new climate and resiliency element.

Senior Planner Lisa Wasson-Seilo detailed the extensive public engagement efforts that helped shape these core focus areas, noting that community feedback directly informed the policy priorities.

Wasson-Seilo added that feedback consistently pointed to localized infrastructure and economic needs: “We heard throughout the process that our community is facing a clear challenge related to housing; we don’t have enough to meet our current and future demand”. Public outreach also highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses, and boosting family-wage job growth.

Senior Planner Jon Maland outlined several proposed land-use map amendments designed to realign zoning with future employment and residential targets. Pointing to specific staff-initiated rezonings aimed at resolving long-standing non-conforming uses in residential neighborhoods.

The council will review the plan’s implementation of code amendments on Sept. 21, followed by a formal public hearing in October.

File photo of Walla Walla City Hall

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

• 
• 
• 
• 

---

Elkhorn Media Group