Should Purdy Be an Urban Area?

It came as a surprise to me when I recently learned that under the current Pierce County Comprehensive Plan, Purdy is designated as an Urban Growth Area (UGA). This means that it can be developed to the extent of areas like Gig Harbor North. We have recently heard that one or more developers would like the City of Gig Harbor to annex the Purdy area so that they could pursue intensive residential development in Purdy.

This should be a matter of particular concern to residents of the Key Peninsula because of worsening traffic congestion and increasingly dangerous conditions at the intersection of the westbound exit ramp from State Route 16 and Highway 302. Allowing Purdy to be developed as a UGA, or having it annexed to the City of Gig Harbor, will make the traffic conditions more onerous and dangerous given the proposals being floated for high-density residential developments, not to mention any additional commercial growth. And, as we all know, permanent solutions to the Purdy Bridge and intersection are not planned for any time in the near future.

If you believe as I do, please submit comments by Feb. 26 to Pierce County (CompPlanUpdate@piercecountywa.gov) that Purdy should be removed as a UGA and to the Gig Harbor City Council and mayor (mayorandcouncil@gigharborwa.gov) that Purdy should not be annexed to the City of Gig Harbor.

John Nichols, Lakebay

For more information, see "Pierce County Releases Draft of Comprehensive Plan Affecting KP" (Feb. 2024).