| City of Enumclaw Update Evolves to Plan Overhaul |
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For many decades, Enumclaw was known for its farmland, forests, and livestock - until Seattle-area growth began to transform the town into a "bedroom community." While demand drove prices up, housing supply consumed much of the open space cherished by residents. These and other factors led to comprehensive plan work that in 2004, grew from a simple update to a major re-write. Studio Cascade led an innovative process built around a "vision story" - a short narrative depicting life 20 years in the future, including qualitative elements keyed to many of the plan's chapter goals. In addition, the process led to the development of several optional chapters, including elements for Natural Environment, Parks & Recreation, Economic Development, Human Services, and Community Design. In Enumclaw, growth-management mandates were leveraged into much more - providing a long-range strategic plan for the community, and addressing civic concerns about rapid growth. |
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For most of its history, Enumclaw was farm-country rural. But growth from nearby Seattle helped spur a 33% growth rate in the 1980's, followed by a 54% increase in the 1990's - despite a building moratoria enacted in 1998. |
Enumclaw is the gateway to Mt. Rainier National Park. Chinook Pass was opened in 1929, and established the town as a key stop for summer and winter park enthusiasts.
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