skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC
About Our Blog Our Authors

MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Lisa Pool

Using Arts and Culture to Revitalize Downtowns

March 12, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Programs ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Actions that boost housing or attract new businesses can help revitalize downtowns by making them more attractive, but a strong arts and cultural program can also help build a sense of community, beautify neighborhoods, and strengthen the local economy.

Read more

Updating Your Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code? Consider Corner Stores.

November 7, 2024  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning

The deployment of corner stores in dense communities can help a local government meet its land use goals as well as provide a neighborhood meeting place and meet the local need for daily essentials like food and conveniences. 

Read more

Six Housing and Planning Bills that Help Washington Communities Confront the Housing Crisis

August 21, 2024  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Parking ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Contains summaries of six bills related to co-living, parking standards, building conversions, middle housing, residential building and energy codes, and manufactured housing  passed during the most recent short Washington State legislative session.

Read more

Corner of 4th and Dallas in downtown Camas

Main Street Program Elevates Success for Downtown Camas

May 22, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Carrie Schulstad
Category:  Design ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Cities and towns can benefit from the Washington State Main Street Program, which offers technical and financial assistance to participating communities looking to revitalize and grow their downtowns. 

Read more

3 children building with wooden blocks

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 2

March 25, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Barbara Rosen
Category:  Guest Author ,  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.

Read more

A childcare teacher works with 5 young children

Reducing Barriers for Childcare Facilities, Part 1

March 20, 2024  by  Lisa Pool ,  Barbara Rosen
Category:  Guest Author ,  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?

Read more

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.

Read more

People walking, biking, driving a car, or riding on a bus

How Downtown Plans Can Create a Framework for Revitalization Efforts: Part 2

October 18, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Transportation Planning ,  Transportation and Land Use ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Downtown plans often employ a multifaceted approach, but those that include goals of expanding transportation options, addressing safety concerns, and working to bring a sense of security back to the area can spur revitalization efforts. 

Read more

Model of a downtown development

How Downtown Plans Can Create a Framework for Revitalization Efforts: Part 1

October 11, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

To create downtowns that can truly recover and thrive after a major unexpected event, cities must outline both near- and long-term steps in their downtown plans, including adaptive reuse strategies and ensuring that downtown public spaces are welcoming, safe, and exciting.

Read more

Several small images suggesting environmental and pollution prevention laws against the word 2023

New Legislation Related to Climate and the Natural Environment

July 27, 2023  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Climate Change ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  New Legislation and Regulations

In 2023, state legislators passed several bills addressing environmental concerns, including new climate elements for comprehensive planning, making impact fee revenue available for new bike and pedestrian facilities, and an optional permit process for clean energy projects. 

Read more

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:  Guest Author ,  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.

Read more

A close up of rows of berries at the Whatcom County Farmer's Market

Planning for Local Food Systems: A Whatcom County Case Study, Part 1

May 22, 2023  by  Lisa Pool ,  Ali Jensen
Category:  Guest Author ,  Climate Change ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Rural Uses

What is a local food system plan and why would a local government want to develop one? Whatcom County is one of a few local governments statewide developing such a plan, and county staff share insight into the process. 

Read more

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.

Read more

Complete Streets Flourishing in Washington

November 30, 2022  by  Celeste Gilman ,  Lisa Pool
Category:  Guest Author ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Climate Change

Many Washington cities, towns, and counties have implemented complete streets programs to encourage safe access for all users, regardless of mode of transit. These programs vary from place to place, each meeting the specialized needs of local communities. 

Read more

Parking Reform: Part 2

October 19, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate Change ,  Parking ,  Housing

Increasingly, many local governments are shifting away from requiring too much off-street parking, citing social, economic, and/or environmental reasons. What tools can these communities use to better manage existing parking supply and to anticipate future needs?

Read more

Parking Reform Advances Climate Action, Housing Affordability, and More: Part 1

October 12, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Climate Change ,  Parking ,  Housing

While parking is an important commodity for a community, too much parking can prevent the land from being used for another purpose, encourage excess car travel, and possibly make other forms of transportation, like biking or walking, both more complicated and dangerous.

Read more

2022 Growth Management Act-Related Bills

June 30, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Environmental Policy and Management ,  Housing ,  Rural Uses ,  New Legislation and Regulations

New legislation related to the Growth Management Act (GMA) will expand tribal participation, limit appeals for actions to increase housing supply, change periodic update timelines, provide additional options for limited areas of more intense rural development (LAMIRDs), and more.

Read more

A Primer on Safe Parking Programs for People Experiencing Homelessness

March 31, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Homelessness

Safe parking programs are operated on behalf of people who use a vehicle as their residence. They give users a sense of security while also connecting them to critical human and social services. 

Read more

New Resources Help Local Governments Reduce Climate Impacts, Build Resilient Communities

February 17, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  MRSC News and Updates ,  Climate Change

All across Washington State local governments are wondering how they can better prepare their communities for the negative impacts of climate change. Now, we are offering more tools and resources to push these efforts forward.

Read more

New Interactive Map, Webpage Highlight Local Climate Plans

January 14, 2022  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  MRSC News and Updates ,  Climate Change

As part of its Local Climate Response Project, MRSC is pleased to unveil a new webpage featuring an interactive map and detailed information about specialized planning efforts being taken by local governments across Washington State. 

Read more

LOAD MORE