ARTICULATING THE SNOQUALMIE VISION

This draft Snoqualmie 2032 vision statement has been developed to support a unified planning process for the future state of the City.  The Planning Commission used multiple sources to develop a short bullet list of core vision ideals, drawing on the 2010 Sustainability Speaker Series visioning workshop, workshops with the Economic Development Commission, Park Board, and Arts Commission, as well visioning questions contained in the 2010 general community survey. This work distilled the most salient aspects for a more robust vision statement, which moving forward will provide a foundation to develop future comprehensive plan goals, objectives and policies on multiple topics in the City.

The draft Vision is comprised of a main theme and 4 central vision components.  Each component is then further articulated with a set of more specific ideas to describe the future Snoqualmie community, also drawn from public visioning sources. 

Rather than state the vision and points of vision as future hopes, intentions or things to encourage, they are stated in the present tense to signify that it is in the future and the Vision has been achieved.  If each statement is read as if the words “we have” or “we are” precede them, the ideas are projected as existing future conditions.  The use of “we” and “our” portrays that the vision statements arise from the community.

The goals, objectives and policies of the Snoqualmie Comprehensive Plan will be oriented to facilitate achieving the vision; they comprise the things we will do to help us achieve the vision over the next twenty years.

VISION CENTRAL THEME

Snoqualmie is a complete, sustainable and prosperous small city that provides a high quality of life and maintains long-term value to the benefit of our citizens and the region.

NOTE: 

• Complete Community incorporates the idea of live, work, play – a complete community providing housing, jobs, shopping and services, schools/education, open space, parks and recreation, and arts, culture and entertainment for residents of all ages and income levels. 
• Sustainable Development has been defined as a pattern of resource use that meets human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met both in the present and also for generations to come.  As discussed in the Snoqualmie Sustainability Strategy, the concept addresses economic and social sustainability considerations in meeting human needs while maintaining the health of natural systems. 
• Prosperous includes the notion of economic growth, but also the qualitative gains of added social and environmental value by community development that supports and improves education, health & wellbeing, community services, recreation, employment, etc.
• Taken together the concepts of “complete community,” “sustainability,” and “prosperous” intertwine to create “livability."

VISION CORE COMPONENTS

A Unified City with Strong Leadership that cultivates community, incorporates equity and sustainability in decision-making, fosters partnerships to further local and regional goals, and thrives through active citizen engagement.

A Healthy, Diverse Economy, with stable businesses and employment opportunities that benefit our citizens, the surrounding rural area and the region as a whole.

A Distinctive Sense of Place based on the quality and beauty of our natural and built environment, valued historic and cultural assets, unique local character, and a commitment to quality design and construction.

A Livable and Complete Community where our citizens can live, work, socialize and recreate in a safe, attractive and healthy environment.

POINTS OF VISION
(read prefaced as “we have” or “we are”)

Unified Community/Strong Leadership

• A collection of physically connected neighborhoods that promote identification with the total Snoqualmie community.
• A shared appreciation for this small city’s unique character and distinctive local feel – a place where residents, businesses and visitors want to be. 
• Consistency, year-in and year-out, in setting priorities according to their importance over the long-term, rather than focusing only on short-term gains.
• An ongoing commitment to maintaining balance among competing priorities, as evidenced by the way we allocate public resources and funds.
• A commitment to coordinated implementation of the Snoqualmie Vision by all City departments.
• Strong local governance that uses best practices in conducting City business to ensure efficient and effective use of public resources in maintaining the community’s desired quality of life.
• Effective partnerships with neighboring governments, public agencies, non-profit organizations and private entities to support mutual interests and achieve our vision.

Healthy, Diverse Economy

• A diverse economic base that generates sufficient revenue to provide and maintain the facilities and services needed and expected by our citizens.
• Mature and highly productive business and light industry centers integral to the success of both the local and regional economy, that provide family-wage jobs for city residents and the surrounding rural area.
• Conveniently-located retail shops and services that meet the needs and interests of Snoqualmie area citizens and visitors.
• A vital local hospital and wellness industry that meets the preventative and emergency health needs of our local population, provides employment, supports tourism, and promotes livability.
• A continued economic development focus on individual businesses and commercial and mixed-use developments that set new regional standards for use of green and clean technologies in sustainable and integrated land use, site planning, building design and operation.
• A beautiful and healthy natural environment and a distinctive sense of place, which provides a high quality of life and continues to attract talented individuals and business investment.
• A recognized tourism destination supported by:
  • A revitalized and expanded historic downtown commercial area that provides a unique visitor and community retail center.
  • A world-class railroad history facility that is an historic downtown focal point that serves both the place-making and economic interests of Snoqualmie.
  • A unique urban separator and open space resource at Meadowbrook Farm, which provides a diverse range of educational and recreational facilities, programs and activities that showcase the natural and cultural history of the upper Snoqualmie Valley. 
  • A range of lodging accommodations and conference facilities that support both tourism and local business needs.
    o A regional draw for active and passive recreation activities that draw from both public and private recreation and tourism venues, with a variety of access sites to exceptional riverfront or mountain views that enhance the outdoor experience. 

Distinctive Sense of Place

• A valued, restored and protected system of wetlands, streams and natural areas that define neighborhoods, protect wildlife habitat and ecosystem services, provide for an extensive and easily accessible trail network, and maintain a predominantly green community setting.
• A “Tree City USA” community that appreciates the beauty and benefits of the urban forest and supports a citywide network of healthy and mature street, park and open space trees.
• A destination “Riverwalk” trail loop along both sides of the Snoqualmie River that connects multiple areas of the City; links with the Snoqualmie Valley and Preston-Snoqualmie regional trails; showcases our natural beauty; and is widely enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
• Vibrant pedestrian-oriented retail districts with a recognized character distinctive to Snoqualmie rather than “anywhere USA.”
• A revitalized downtown core comprised of rehabilitated historic buildings, storefronts and compatible infill buildings that enhance the district’s unique history, character and continued economic success, particularly for tourism.
• A built environment of superior design, energy efficiency, construction quality and durability achieved through careful attention to detail at every scale, including public and private spaces and structures.
• Well-maintained public and private properties and infrastructure conveying a unified sense of community pride.
• A multifaceted and vibrant local arts community that provides a variety of cultural events, arts activities and education programs; supports an annual summer festival; and is supported by diverse public artworks throughout the City that activate public spaces and enrich the lives of our citizens and visitors.

Livable Complete Community

• Diverse neighborhoods that offer a variety of housing and lifestyle choices for all incomes and life stages with convenient access to shopping, employment areas, schools, recreation and cultural facilities, parks and natural open spaces.
• An older housing stock within the floodplain that remains a vital part of the community’s overall housing diversity and historic neighborhood appeal. 
• Levels of public safety and emergency response that maintain a sense of security throughout the City and establish Snoqualmie as safe place to live, visit or locate a business.
• Flourishing mixed-use centers that function as vibrant living, working, shopping and entertainment areas for our citizens and surrounding rural area.
• Employment opportunities matching the community’s diverse households and housing types.
   An outstanding public and private education system that enables quality education for youth and provides opportunities for life-long learning.
• A robust and well-integrated system of parks, open spaces, trails, activity venues and programs that encourage residents to maintain active healthy lifestyles, enjoy the outdoors, and serve as worthy stewards of our natural environment.
• An efficient multi-modal transportation system that promotes accessibility and facilitates choice in traveling to, from and within our City, including convenient local and regional bike and transit routes connected to key destination points and amenities, such as neighborhoods, schools, parks, community centers, employment centers, shopping and cultural facilities.
• A qualified “healthy city” through public programs and land use and community design strategies that foster healthy living. 
• A sustainable city that continues to reduce its ecological footprint and greenhouse gas emissions by implementing best practices for energy conservation; use and generation of renewable energy; recycling and integrated waste management; green development and building practices; strong water conservation; low-impact stormwater management; community gardening and promotion of locally grown food; and urban forestry.
   

MORE INFORMATION
Nicole Sanders
Associate Planner
City of Snoqualmie
nsanders@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us
425-888-1555