Planning for retail change: a survey of municipal governments in Washington State

Abstract

Effectively managing retail is essential for municipalities in terms of meeting land use planning goals, developing revenue sources through taxation, furthering economic growth and providing access to goods and services for residents. In 2013, a survey was conducted to examine the retail planning practices of all the 110 small- and medium-sized municipalities in Washington State. The online survey addressed data collection and analysis, land use, retail recruitment, inter-jurisdictional cooperation and evaluation. A large majority of respondents had retail planning goals in their comprehensive plans, yet only 30% dedicated staff for implementation. Jurisdictions would benefit from regional retail planning (especially in light of changes underway from e-commerce), yet the state tax structure places municipalities in competition.

Keywords:

• Retail development
• municipal government
• planning practice

Acknowledgements

The authors thank survey research team members: Ralph Murphy (member of the faculty at The Evergreen State College) and Shira Moch (undergraduate research assistant).

Notes

1. A further classification is sometimes used, Transportation Management Areas (TMAs), to cover areas metropolitan areas with a population greater than 200,000. (US Department of Transportation, 2016).