The mission of Planning Department includes:

• Facilitating orderly growth and development in the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s community through coordinated programs of Natural Environment, Building Safety, Code Compliance, Coordinated Services, Planning, and education and service to the Tribal Community.
• Reviewing land use, engineering & architectural design plans and technical reports to ensure proposed development plans are consistent with Building & Land Use Codes;
• Maintaining the long-term sustainability of the community, economy, and environment, with prompt, professional service, and creative & productive solutions.
• Providing quality planning & implementation by developing plans, policies, and procedures for future land use, transportation, and infrastructure growth and development to benefit the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
• The Planning Department consists of two areas: Current Planning, which processes land use applications and provides policies and codes information, and Long-Range Planning, which updates the Comprehensive Plan, Development (Zoning) code, and handles special projects.

Land use legislation, policies, and implementation measures made and approved by Tribal community, departments, Planning Commission, and Tribal Council would help shape Muckleshoot's urban and rural environments.Likewise, choices made today will ultimately shape these areas in the future.Successful land use planning occurs through an open and public process that provides room for information gathering, analysis, and vigorous debate.Muckleshoot’s Community Involvement program identifies the MIT Planning Commission as the committee for citizen involvement.Several noteworthy departmental and community involvement actions have been undertaken by the Planning Department since the Comprehensive Plan Phase I (or Village Plan) and Phase II started in 2018 and 2022, respectively.

The Planning Commission and Planning Department intended to provide Tribal community members and stakeholders with tools to assess its effectiveness and offer additional suggestions the Tribe can utilize to ensure that its diverse communities remain actively involved in land use planning discussions.The Planning Commission and Planning Department have continued their work on the MIT Comprehensive Plan Update since 2022 with genuine community outreach activities.The Planning Team held a series of community and stakeholder input sessions, small focus groups, conducted surveys, and visioning process to ensure that the Plan meets the needs of the Tribe.Population growth data analyses, and an assessment of what land is available to the community and how that aligns with the community needs were also part of land use analysis and planning process.

At each stakeholder or departmental meeting session, an introductory presentation of the Comprehensive Plan update project was made by the planning team, that was prepared for a specific Tribal department. The presentations provided information on the Comprehensive Plan update process, community engagement results & recommendations, draft chapter key points, goals & policies, and a list of questions to stimulate conversation.These conversations with the department head and team members provided information about the department’s operation, opportunities & constraints, solutions, planned projects, work progress, expectation, perspectives and needs.Several departments provided PowerPoint slides and detailed reports to the Planning team to include in developing the Plan.

The ultimate hope of the Planning Commission is for the Comprehensive Plan to be a tool utilized by department leads and decision makers, to use the information in the Plan to guide project prioritization, and decision-making, for the next several decades for the benefit of the Tribe.

Another aspect of Planning work includes researching, preparing written comments, and weighing the pros and cons of proposed development projects located nearby the Reservation that can have profound impacts on Tribal community.Compatible uses must be considered for the peace of mind of the community.

For example, climate change impacts are seemingly occurring, and Green energy is a necessary component to transition from hydrocarbon energy related systems (coal and oil), to those that are based on “clean energy” methods such as wind, solar, and geothermal.Controversial Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) using Lithium-Ion batteries are one method proposed to store this energy.New mitigation measures are being put in place that would make them a safer alternative.The Tribe may want to consider initiating technology that can provide energy sovereignty, and even become an energy purveyor, by exploring options for renewable energy production on Tribal lands.

• Review land use, engineering & architectural design plans and technical reports to ensure proposed development plans are consistent with Building, Land Use, Food, and Playground Codes;
• Respond to building and land use questions and perform code interpretation;
• Prepare staff reports, make presentations of and recommendations for development proposals to the Planning Commission;
• Perform inspection services for building and land use permits (including the Resort & Casino Hotel and Community Center, etc.);
• Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) geospatial analysis, data management, and mapping for site analysis and presentations;
• Employ drone operation for data collection and processing;
• Conduct research and study various technical subjects in support to decision-makers;
• Confer with other Tribal departments and other governmental agencies for proposed development projects;
• Provide staff support and administrative functions to the Planning Commission;
• Conduct Code Enforcement investigations, seek solutions in response to alleged violations and assist Tribal Members in the junk vehicle removal process;
• Prepare a Long-Range Strategic Plan, Policies, and regulations including an update to the Comprehensive Plan and Development Codes; and
• Review significant land-use and development projects in neighboring areas on and off the Reservation as well as cities’ and counties’ draft Comprehensive Plans and ordinances & codes.