On March 26, 2025, the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC), including representatives from Sound Cities Association (SCA) Caucus, unanimously approved a request from the City of Snoqualmie to reduce its housing growth target from 1,500 to 719 units. The next step is for final approval by the King County Council.
Every city in Washington State has a housing growth target per the Growth Management Act. The City’s assigned target number of 1,500 units was ratified by the King County Countywide Planning Policies (CPP) in 2022. The CPP sets 20-year housing growth target numbers for all cities in King County, including Snoqualmie.
In response, the City conducted a comprehensive study that analyzed Snoqualmie’s assigned housing growth target and land capacity. The 2023 study revealed that the City’s assigned number of 1,500 housing units exceeded its actual land capacity, as most land is already developed, environmentally constrained, or located within the floodplain. The City’s Community Development and Parks & Public Works departments provided invaluable assistance, providing research and expertise that were instrumental in supporting this request.
In March 2024, Mayor Ross formally requested that King County reconcile the City’s housing growth target, reducing it to 719 - an achievable number identified in the study. Over the course of the year, Mayor Ross worked diligently, advocating for the reduced growth target by attending countless meetings, planning sessions, and presenting on several occasions. She also provided public comments at GMPC meetings and hosted a tour of Snoqualmie to advocate for the City’s request.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the GMPC, SCA, King County Council and staff, Puget Sound Regional Council, and Snoqualmie City Council, for their collaboration on this positive outcome,” said Mayor Katherine Ross. “Despite buildable land constraints, Snoqualmie will continue to support affordable and missing middle housing with tools like the Multi-Family Tax Exemption and multiple zoning code updates to meet new state housing laws.”