• President's Corner | January 2025

• More GMA Changes Anticipated by 2025 Legislature

• Should You Apply to Join the AICP College of Fellows? 

• Deadline Approaching Soon for Planning Award Nominations

• Next AICP Exam Cycle and More

• APA WA Board of Directors Retreat

• Advertise Your Intern Position for Free

• Short Course on Local Planning

Board Retreat Leads to Development of 2025 Work Plan

On December 6, the full board met for a very productive half-day retreat in Seattle, which was hosted by Mithun at their office on the Seattle Waterfront. Following a fun (and revealing) ice-breaker where board members learned more about each other’s careers, interests and surprising facts, the board got to work in small groups to brainstorm action items for the 2025 Work Plan in order to implement the Chapter’s Strategic Plan.

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The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA WA) and the Planning Association of Washington (PAW) are pleased to announce the 2025 Awards Program!

For the 40th year, the associations will jointly honor outstanding contributions to the field of planning in Washington State. The award program’s goals are to recognize great planning efforts in our state, promote excellence in public and private sector planning and increase public awareness of the roles APA WA and PAW play in supporting outstanding planning in Washington.

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The 2025 state legislative session is right around the corner, and your APA WA legislative committee is primed and ready to monitor the action and advocate on behalf of the chapter. 

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Election to the College of Fellows is the highest honor that the American Institute of Certified Planners bestows upon a member. This honor recognizes the achievements of the professional who has made significant contributions to society and the field of planning.

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If you are thinking of taking the AICP exam, the registration dates are coming up:

• Opens: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 9:00 am CST
• Closes: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm CST

The exam window is May 1-29, 2025. For the final word on dates and deadlines, check APA’s website: One Path to AICP.

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Take a look at some of the photos taken during the 2024 APA WA retreat.

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It’s getting to be that time when planners start to plan ahead to hire summer intern help. Don’t forget that you can advertise those positions for free on APA WA’s website. View the APA WA Job Announcement page for more information.

The Short Course on Local Planning provides an overview of Washington's land use planning laws, an introduction to comprehensive planning and its implementation under the Growth Management Act (GMA), and a review of various roles in the planning process. It also includes mandatory training for local government officials on the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act. All courses are free, online, and open to the public. 

The next short course will be on January 21 from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM  PT. 

What significant legislative action taken in Washington State in the late 20th century helped to preserve the architectural and historical integrity of neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the state? 

A) The enactment of the Washington Heritage Register 
B) The establishment of the Historic County Courthouse Preservation Program  
C) The passage of the Washington State Historic Preservation Act 
D) The introduction of the Main Street Tax Incentive Program  

The answer to last issue's trivia question:

What pioneering environmental law, adopted by Washington State in the 1970s, was one of the first of its kind in the United States to mandate state and local agencies to consider environmental impacts as part of their decision-making process?

C) The Washington State Historic Preservation Act, passed in the 1960s, played a pivotal role in safeguarding the architectural and historical heritage of Washington State. This act established guidelines and procedures for the identification, evaluation, and protection of historical and archaeological sites across the state. It not only helped preserve numerous historic neighborhoods and landmarks but also fostered community pride and maintained the character of different regions within the state. The act continues to influence urban planning decisions, ensuring that development projects respect and integrate the state’s rich historical legacy. 

Interested in submitting an article for the next newsletter? 

Contact the APA WA Communications Committee! Email Riya Debnath and Ben Braudrick at [email protected].

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