We are in Phase 2 of our update process! Staff and consultants are busy at work analyzing data and community feedback from Phase 1 to draft goals and policies for the new Plan; the City Council is reviewing drafts of a new vision statement; climate and housing focus groups are underway; and staff is preparing for the new phase of outreach again at the end of the summer.

Check out the Get Involved page for upcoming events. 

The City is committed to a robust, inclusive engagement process that encourages community-wide input through targeted outreach and relationship building. Our Outreach & Engagement Plan outlines objectives and strategies for community involvement to ensure the Comprehensive Plan reflects the full range of community values and addresses priorities and needs. We will continue to revisit our engagement plan throughout the update process and will reassess and adjust our approach if needed to ensure we are fulfilling our engagement goals.

Phase 1 Goals 

OUTREACH 

• Envision the future of Wenatchee! Identify the community’s loves, concerns and long-term aspirations for the city to ensure the most important principles guide the Comprehensive Plan and develop a new vision statement.

• Begin relationship building to learn how to best engage with as many people as possible and refine our Engagement Plan. 

PLAN REVIEW

• Staff and consultants review existing plans - what work is accomplished, what is still in process, what is no longer relevant. 

• Staff and consultants research and analysis, updating relevant data, including a land capacity analysis and beginning research for the Environmental Impact of the plan update.

Phase 1 Summary

Phase 1 began in the Fall of 2024 and wrapped up by May of 2025.

In Phase 1 we began collecting broad feedback about what the Wenatchee community loves about our city, what are the top values and what is our identity as a city. Through a visioning survey, tabling at events and hosting stakeholder interviews, we heard from residents and employees about what issues are most impacting our community right now. 

Key themes we heard across engagement activities in Phase 1 include: 

• One of the most common values in Wenatchee is the natural beauty and ability to easily access the 
  river and mountains through parks and trails. Conservation and celebration of Wenatchee’s 
  recreational opportunities and natural resources is a priority for Wenatchee residents. 

• Residents value Wenatchee’s small town feel and strong sense of community, including the strength 
  of its diverse, multicultural community. 

• Affording a home to rent or to own is one of the most challenging issues people are facing. The 
  community would like to see more diverse housing types (including more rental options and 
  supportive housing) available across all affordability levels and additional support for those 
  experiencing homelessness. 

• Residents would like more amenities, services, and infrastructure to support complete 
  communities, including diverse retail, restaurant, and grocery options, cultural activities and 
  entertainment that meet the needs of the whole Wenatchee community, and transportation options 
  and infrastructure to increase safety. There is interest in expanding and diversifying shopping, 
  business, and entertainment particularly in the greater Downtown area, the Business Districts, and 
  along the Waterfront.  

• People would like to see a diversified economy with more employment and educational 
  opportunities in the city, particularly living wage jobs, job training, and a supportive educational 
  system. This includes strengthening key industries and expanding job options in natural resources, 
  healthcare, education, and tourism. 

REPORTS & FINDINGS

Feedback from Phase 1 outreach is being used to inform the next steps of the Comprehensive Plan development, including:

• A new draft vision statement
• Development of draft goals and policies
• Focus group questions and topics
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Scoping Notice and Fact Sheet - English & Español
• Phase 1 Engagement Summary

We are in Phase 2! 

Phase 2 Goals

OUTREACH 

• Build community awareness of the update process

• Gather community input on specific priorities, preferences, and desired futures. The community is the expert and will help shape the development of polices and goals in each element (or chapter) of the Plan. Visit our Get Involved page for events and ways to get involved!

• City Council and Planning Commission host education sessions to study existing Plan components and State requirements. 

• Focus groups help dive into complex issues like housing and climate

PALN REVIEW

• Staff and consultants begin analysis of community input related to existing and new potential goals and polices.

• Staff and consultants analysis of data to inform potential changes to existing goals and polices and drafting new goals and policies. 

Phase 2 Summary: Reports and Findings

Phase 2 began in May 2025 and will wrap up by January of 2026.

In Phase 2 city staff and the consultant team completed an analysis of existing policies, analysis of Phase 1 community outreach and analysis of studies and data related to each element. All of these analyses informed the first draft of the new Comprehensive Plan draft goals, which went out to the public for review in the form of an online open house, that was also shared through in person events, such as tabling. 

We gained deeper insight into Housing and Climate challenges and desired solutions through meeting in focus groups with community specialists.

City staff and the consultant team began development of three alternative approaches in a "scoping" exercise, to meeting the potential draft goals of the Comprehensive Plan. These alternatives represent different growth strategies are part of a required Environmental Impact Statement that describes existing conditions in the city, reasonable Alternatives (e.g., new policies and growth strategies), potential environmental impacts, ways to avoid or minimize negative impacts that could result from implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and potential significant and unavoidable adverse impacts. Alternatives should represent a diverse range of reasonable options that can highlight the impacts of different potential choices. The Alternatives should be broad enough that the final Preferred Alternative, which is included in the final plan, will fall within the range of the Alternatives studied. 

• Housing Focus Group
  • Meeting 1 Summary and Presentation
  • Meeting 2 Summary and Presentation
  • Meeting 3 Summary
• Climate Policy Action Team
  • Meeting 1 Summary and Presentation
  • Meeting 2 Summary and Presentation
  • Meeting 3 Summary and draft policies
• Renter Focus Group
• Online Open House
• Environmental Impact Statement scoping: ENGLISH / ESPANOL

Phase 3 Goals

OUTREACH 

• Gather community input on the Draft Plan. Is what you shared earlier in the process represented in the draft goals and polices? Ensure specific priorities, preferences, and desired futures are represented. Visit our Get Involved page for events and ways to help review the plan during this phase!

• Conduct formal Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) comment period.

• City Council and Planning Commission study Draft Plan and EIS during public meetings. 

PLAN REVIEW

• Staff and consultants refine draft goals and polices.

• Staff and consultants present draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). An EIS describes existing conditions in the city, reasonable Alternatives (e.g., new policies and growth strategies), potential environmental impacts, ways to avoid or minimize negative impacts that could result from implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and potential significant and unavoidable adverse impacts. The EIS focuses on identifying and avoiding adverse impacts but can also identify potential beneficial outcomes. The EIS evaluation and mitigation measures will help inform development of the Wenatchee Comprehensive Plan periodic update

Phase 3 Summary: Reports and Findings

Phase 3 will be Winter through Spring 2026.

• Check back for updates once Phase 3 is complete!

Phase 4 Goals

OUTREACH 

• Legislative review! City Council and Planning Commission hold public hearings on Draft Plan and EIS.

• Visit our Get Involved page for events and ways to give feedback to the legislative bodies during this phase!

PLAN REVIEW

• Staff and consultants finalize plans and EIS based on community feedback and legislative review.

Phase 4 Summary: Reports and Findings

Phase 4 will be Summer through Fall of 2026. 

• Check back for updates once Phase 4 is complete!

Plan Approval

December 2026 plan approval by the City Council is due.