COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Community Plan was developed under the direction of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Planning Board (CPB), a fifteen-member group representing a variety of interests and geographic locations of the community. Representation included: Peninsula Light Company, Pierce County Fire District #5, the Peninsula School District, the City of Gig Harbor, the Gig Harbor Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, development interests, business interests, parks and open space interests, the Key Peninsula Gig Harbor Islands (KGI) Watershed Committee, the Peninsula Neighborhood Association, the Peninsula Advisory Commission, and local residents. Eight subcommittees were formed to work with staff in researching and developing detailed policies and implementation actions related to the goals adopted by the CPB.

In addition to the CPB and subcommittee meetings, specific public involvement activities included:

• An open house held on September 9, 1999. This open house was used as an opportunity to describe the efforts of the CPB and the various subcommittees in drafting urban and rural land use policies.
• A second open house held on January 24, 2001. The completed draft of the community plan was presented to the public at this open house.
• Peninsula Advisory Commission hearing (PAC), following the open house on January 24.
• Planning Commission hearings held in February 2001.
• County Council's Planning and Environment Committee hearings held from April through July 2001 and again in February 2002.
• Council community meetings regarding Tacoma Narrows Airport in January and February 2002.
• Full Council Hearing at Peninsula High School on March 12, 2002

ELEMENTS
The Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan contains five elements: Land Use, Community Character and Design, Natural Environment and Open Space, Economic, and Facilities and Services. Each element contains a description of existing and desired conditions, which provide the framework for the policies in the element. An implementing action section includes the steps that are necessary to implement the plan.

Land Use Element: The Land Use Element addresses permitted uses in the various land use designations, the appropriate intensity of land use in various areas of the community, coordination between Pierce County and the City of Gig Harbor and criteria for appropriately designating residential, commercial and employment lands. This element contains two sections: one dealing with the UGA surrounding the City of Gig Harbor and a second section addressing the rural area.
Community Character and Design Element: The Community Character and Design Element addresses urban design, urban character, urban open space protection, rural design, and rural character. The policies contained within the Community Character and Design Element promote and enhance site plan design, architectural design, sign design, and vegetation retention.
Natural Environment and Open Space Element: The Natural Environment and Open Space Element includes consideration of the natural resources valued on the Gig Harbor Peninsula, such as clean water, forests, and open spaces. These policies promote protection of critical areas, encourage preservation of natural vegetation, and address special topics such as the marine shorelines, wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitat. The element also identifies a system of open space corridors throughout the community.
Economic Element: The Economic Element focuses on the economy of the Peninsula and considers several opportunities to provide the community with a desired balance of employment and economic return with environmental impact. The majority of Peninsula residents appear satisfied with the level of economic development in the community and are generally not interested in expanding the area designated for new businesses. The most desirable economic development would be for more service, commercial, and professional business to reduce reliance on the Narrows Bridge.
Facilities and Services Element: The Facilities and Services Element addresses the basic infrastructure and facilities that are desired by the community, which are necessary to implement the goals of the community plan. The policies in this Element identify the capital improvements that are necessary to implement the community plan including sewage disposal, potable water, transportation, parks, and discuss potential sources for funding these facilities and services.