Plan 2015 is the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan. This document provides the policy framework for how the County will develop in the years preceding 2015. It contains everything from a land use map to policies on how the county's transportation network will develop. Volume 1 of Plan 2015 consists of three Chapters: the Policy Plan, Plan Development, and the Environmental Analysis. The Policy Plan is the key document in the series. Volumes II and III provide background materials and support for the Policy Plan.

Other Comprehensive Plans

Also an integral part of the long range vision for Yakima County are the plans of the individual cities. Although not technically part of Plan 2015 each city in the county has adopted a comprehensive plan that defines their vision of the future. Yakima County is a partner with the City of Yakima in the adoption of the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan which includes separately adopted neighborhood plans. The Terrace Heights Neighborhood Plan was adopted in 1999 and the planning process to create the West Valley Neighborhood Plan is going on during 2000.

Policy Plan

The Policy Plan is a framework for the County decision makers, the development industry, and the public on a wide array of issues, both on a short-term or daily basis, and for the longer term. The Policy Plan ensures that Yakima County complies with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). Yakima County and its cities are required to conduct planning and development decisions under the GMA. The plan represents Yakima County's means for complying with state law while being consistent with Central Washington values, customs, needs and culture. It was developed during 1990-1997 using extensive public involvement that included a community visioning process, followed by more detailed work by several citizens committees representing a wide cross-section of the county.

How to use the Policy Plan

Chapter I, the Policy Plan, is the "users' manual" for Plan 2015. Where appropriate, policies are grouped according to land use designation to identify the specific policies that apply. The urban, rural and economic resource policy groupings are intended to help project proponents, interested parties, agencies and decision-makers to conduct the plan consistency reviews required by the Regulatory Reform Act of 1995 for a wide array of community development and resource conservation issues.

The Policy Plan is a tool for budget policy-makers, as well. The Transportation Impro-vement Plan and other Capital Facility Plan policies are intended to be integrated with the overall County budget cycle, to help public and private sectors better evaluate the financial feasibility of a proposed project, and set budgetary priorities.

The Policy Plan is a "measuring stick" for evaluating progress made in implementation. It also helps the County establish its long range work program.

The Policy Plan provides a means for working through a variety of long range issues with other agencies, jurisdictions and interests by articulating a concept, premise or position to start constructive discussion.

Viewing the Plan

Volume 1 - PDF Format (1.4 Mb)
Volume 1 figures (3 Future Land Use maps, and 3 Mineral Resources maps) PDF Format (3.3 Mb)
Volume 2 - PDF Format (8.2 Mb)
Volume 2 figures (57 maps) - PDF Format (54.3 Mb)

All three volumes of Plan 2015 can be viewed or purchased from the Yakima County Planning Department at the address provided in the title of this page. You can also check your local library and city offices in Yakima County to see if they have a copy to view.