sultan comprehensive plan

planning for smart growth and small-town charm

Sultan is a small community that has experienced rapid growth in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Situated at the confluence of two scenic rivers and the gateway to the Skykomish Valley, Sultan has the opportunity to capitalize on recreation-bound tourists and transplants. The city faces the challenge of developing a cohesive community while navigating environmental hazards and the schism of Highway 2.

The comprehensive planning process was an opportunity to craft a new community vision of a safe, interconnected city filled with kid-friendly destinations, diverse housing choices, and everyday needs of shopping, entertainment, and services. Framework led engagement events focused on the trade-offs of different land use scenarios and created kid-friendly activities to draw feedback throughout the planning process. The project team completed a thorough racially Disparate Impact Analysis, identified local housing needs, and updated the future land use map to accommodate anticipated growth. In the City’s Park Element, the team introduced a new level of service tool that focuses on improvements to existing assets based on local priorities. The resulting plan and development code updates are fully compliant and were unanimously approved by City Council in 2024.