MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Inclusive Communities

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 2

March 25, 2024 by Lisa Pool , Barbara Rosen
Category: Development Regulations and Zoning , Impact Fees , Inclusive Communities

How can local governments support the development of more childcare facilities in their community? Well-thought-out zoning and development regulations can go a long way in helping to reduce the barriers for childcare providers.

A childcare teacher works with 5 young children

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 1

March 20, 2024 by Lisa Pool , Barbara Rosen
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management , Development Regulations and Zoning , Inclusive Communities

Lack of access to affordable childcare may lead to a parent dropping out of the workforce, while convenient, affordable care creates economic advantages for families and communities. How can local governments support the growth of diverse childcare options in their communities?

a hand turning a dial to maximum 'trust'

Building Trust During Polarizing Times

February 5, 2024 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Inclusive Communities , Public Participation

Distrust, misinformation, and polarization seem to be growing at the national and local levels. How can local government build trust to help dispel misinformation, reduce polarization, increase engagement, and maintain a healthy, engaged democracy?

Active senior couple running outdoors in park along lake

Is Your Community Age Friendly?

January 31, 2024 by Lisa Pool
Category: Development Types , Housing , Inclusive Communities , Transportation and Land Use

What can planners do to make their communities more welcoming for residents as they age? Research shows that investments in transportation infrastructure, compact, mixed-use land use patterns that support walkability, and diverse housing options can help people age in place.

A diverse group of happy adults and kids sitting in a garden

Whatcom County Boosts Engagement Efforts to Build a More Equitable Advisory Board

January 17, 2024 by Allison Williams
Category: Guest Author , Inclusive Communities , Public Participation

In order to contribute to building the health and well-being of young children and their families, Whatcom County developed a diverse, community-driven Child and Family Well-Being Task Force through innovative policies and increased community engagement.

When Hate Comes to Town: Addressing Racist and Anti-Semitic Public Comment at Meetings

November 6, 2023 by Oskar Rey
Category: Inclusive Communities , Legislative Body , Public Participation

In recent months, some city council meetings have had their public comment period hijacked by bad actors whose purpose is to make hateful comments. Local governments have some options for minimizing the chance that their meetings are compromised in such a manner.

A vendor stall at an outdoor market featuring produce, cut flowers, and potted plants

Planning for Local Food Systems: A Whatcom County Case Study, Part 2

June 1, 2023 by Lisa Pool , Ali Jensen
Category: Planning , Climate Change , Inclusive Communities , Public Participation

After extensive planning and community engagement, Whatcom County is developing a comprehensive local food system plan. See Part 2 of the series on the plan's development and lessons learned.

Many hands in a multitude of colors surround and stretch towards the earth

Centering Equity in Climate Plans and Programs

May 17, 2023 by Helen Ippolito
Category: Guest Author , Climate Change , Inclusive Communities , Public Participation

As new legislation (HB 1181) has added equity components to the Growth Management Act, it is essential to understand what climate equity means and how it is successfully being carried out by local governments across the state.

A thermometer showing a temperature of 100+ against a background of an urban street

Protecting Communities When the Heat Is On

May 10, 2023 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , Inclusive Communities

How can local agencies prepare for extreme heat events, including protecting those populations most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and death? By looking carefully at how heat impacts various neighborhoods, an agency can take a variety of approaches to maximize services.

View of a little public park with trees and greenery along Seattle's city hall exterior

For More Equitable and Livable Cities, Consider Trees

March 27, 2023 by Lisa Pool
Category: Climate Change , Forests and Trees , Inclusive Communities

As cities and other urban areas in Washington State continue to grow and change, an urban forestry management plan can provide a coordinated, long-term vision for managing the urban tree canopy to ensure the continued livability of local communities.

A man is excited to have received a gift card

Safely Using Incentives in Public Engagement Activities

February 8, 2023 by Eric Lowell
Category: Gift of Public Funds , Inclusive Communities , Federal Funding

Can gift cards be given as an incentive for completing a local government survey? Can stipends be provided to volunteers participating in local government projects or advisory boards? With proper procedures in place, incentives can be a way to boost community participation.

Equitable Community Engagement in Comprehensive Plan Updates

September 21, 2022 by Rosie Cullen
Category: Guest Author , Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management , Inclusive Communities

Many local governments are updating their comprehensive plans, and in doing so, some are looking at how to develop intentional strategies that actively engage underrepresented communities in order to build a more equitable plan update in the process.

Closed Captioning: A Language Access Tool

August 16, 2022 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Inclusive Communities , New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5027, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires closed captioning be used on televisions in public places, including in local government-owned facilities, when the technology is available.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in Washington State – 2021 Update

January 11, 2022 by Nick Fisher
Category: Guest Author , Inclusive Communities

This blog looks at the many ways that local governments can build diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in their communities by highlighting specific policy examples from across Washington State.

Investing in Equity To Prepare for Environmental Challenges

January 6, 2022 by Tracy Burrows , Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , Inclusive Communities

Some Washington local governments have placed equity front and center when preparing for the impacts of climate change. This blog looks at efforts in Lakewood and Shoreline.

Making Local Government Holiday Observances More Inclusive

November 18, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Inclusive Communities

The upcoming holiday season offers municipalities a great opportunity to tie their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts into holiday observances so that everyone feels part of the celebration.

How Local Ballot Measures Fared in the 2021 General Election

November 10, 2021 by Steve Hawley
Category: Courts and Criminal Justice System , Elections , Transportation Finance , Forms of Government-City , Forms of Government-County , Inclusive Communities

From changes in governance to funding for criminal justice, libraries, and transportation, this blog covers many local ballot measures across the state and how these issues fared in the recent general election.

The Lasting Impacts of Discriminatory Restrictive Covenants

April 12, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Inclusive Communities

This blog looks at discriminatory restrictive covenants in county real property records and how property owners may remove or "strike" them from the record.