[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5985846,"mediaKeyId","5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2","parentId",5766326,"title","Commission reviews proposed multifamily design standards; debate focuses on parking, screening and materials","audioSeconds",876,"startMs",2769000,"endMs",3645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2&start=2769&end=3645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2/thumbnail_2769000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5985846/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Commission-reviews-proposed-multifamily-design-standards-debate-focuses-on-parking-screening-and-materials","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985846-5a0f04eb95702575143eec1f2a7f46bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402248&Signature=SElV56x10qSJ3lxK3bQUKtPZ8tpJh8xNHtBdiHLmP7syda23VDJXqCWWQM84I-mek4EBh2BYGHQ96bo92OkCnxtv8Gw7gD4qZS-fXXiyZmJYRmNoWFd6VqaBjJUrVmyMquuxM~FZUDbdVTqmQ62jR~iTI-RO3xdy7zIj6wNNr1aUhcTo6AmCgQRjrb4P7bnkssP9PNVcQLZ2qoiMg0o8xEXE3e0~4XB4U1uRtADe6fvkiTzNqb83e4~-ySPzYkFv8KjBfh9vAo-NoqJbbfFluaNoFHIjhJ~1uVY1FLa0y5w-wCewcGolSYdE48sv8WQ4i7ZMwS7fYj9PHGbNM0O3cQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milton, WA","date","2025-09-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Milton Planning Commission held a broad discussion of proposed amendments to Title 17.43 design standards and guidelines focused on multifamily and mixed-use development. The package draws from the city's Uptown design guidelines and would expand standards for apartment and mixed-use buildings; staff and commissioners debated how the rules should apply and whether to phase them in by zone.

Staff said the draft pulls multifamily-specific provisions from the Uptown guidelines and would add guidance on building placement, pedestrian walkways, corner features, blank walls, screening for service areas and refuse, and materials and fenestration. Staff described the work as the beginning of a larger effort: \"What I pulled out here is those sections that just specifically apply to the multifamily that are not townhouses,\" the planner said, noting townhouses have a different, \"single-family feel.\"

Commissioners raised practical questions. Several favored requiring better screening for dumpsters and recycling areas; one commissioner said, \"I very much like the idea, and I hope this is going to be required, is the screening techniques for, like, dumpsters and recycle things.\" Commissioners discussed parking placement, with some noting that placing parking behind buildings improves frontage but can create security or lighting concerns; staff said applied requirements would likely vary by zone and by project type. The group discussed pedestrian pathways and curb cuts, with one commissioner pointing out ADA minimum widths as a design constraint.

Other topics included materials and window policies (questions about prohibiting reflective glass while requiring transparent windows), screening performance (a debate over whether to require \"100% sight obscuring\" screening or a less strict standard), and whether the guidelines should apply only to uptown/town-center zones or extend to urban residential and neighborhood commercial areas. Commissioners also suggested building triggers into the code so remodels or substantial additions could require property upgrades (for example, improved screening or pedestrian connections) when projects come in for permits.

Staff said the amendments will be refined and returned to the commission; one staff member observed this work is substantial and likely to continue through subsequent meetings. No motion or vote was taken on the design standards; staff indicated the item will be worked on further and could return in a consolidated form when ready.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission Meeting 09/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Planning commissioners discussed proposed amendments to design standards and guidelines for multifamily and mixed-use developments, including parking placement, dumpster screening, building materials, pedestrian pathways and possible triggers to require upgrades to existing properties; no formal action was taken.","taxTitle","Milton, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",71994,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985850,"Staff begins state review of critical areas ordinance update; commission to consider in October",679,1496000,2175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2&start=1496&end=2175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","/articles/5985850/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Staff-begins-state-review-of-critical-areas-ordinance-update-commission-to-consider-in-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985850-30e8ef3868404b3c59483dd4c764356c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402248&Signature=QjyQbckmwZ1QXuRo5w2G80mlw6afo3zz6AavHCnhTYiTNGxaJXOVvhBFqt~ogaWjusBw64ZOEjth6SR1rcqFfK0P~1wPuaXADB~tCp3Vo5Buk9LdgsEVZ28EvdMLCJtXsEnqcQ34LnOogEV8hTvPkDzZOIOudUZDRio0mDurjjqSbGrJKOvZ8fwnEGPwMrq2FBjWkiMfgjIQFKsk015OlRUrlHTJKsBeVBN-1pMTU5foTpLhiEu33ootxc-DTXzdH7-IRsCZheYk2ysrvYDwsRM1N26Vob9hD5Jx3JbNUl3PBlanSYhjWb2gQP9x-6AGrYmyDaDOd0POGcoFE5wcMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff told the Milton Planning Commission that the city has begun the state review process on a draft update to the critical areas ordinance and intends to bring a public hearing and recommendation back to the commission in October. Staff said the update is a periodic requirement tied to the 2024 comprehensive plan periodic update and that many elements are prescriptive from state guidance.

Staff said the Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce provide checklists and model language and that the draft was submitted for the standard 60-day state review used for zoning, land use, subdivision and critical area changes. \"I have already sent this, to the state review,\" the staff member said, noting the city expects comments and will incorporate suggestions as appropriate. Staff said a few state departments already indicated they were reviewing the materials.

Key substantive items staff called out included reorganizing definitions (splitting a single long definitions block into alphabetized sections so single-entry edits will be simpler), adding the state's \"no net loss\" requirement for wetland conversions, and more explicit mitigation sequencing language. Staff described \"no net loss\" as the state requirement that, if a developer proposes to encroach on an ecological resource, the overall outcome must not reduce area or quality: \"the idea of no net loss. That's a new, requirement as from the state, this idea that there are times when you do need to maybe you're adjusting different things, but the idea of no net loss.\"

Staff also explained some administrative clarifications: the city may sign and accept pre-application critical area reports for a limited period (staff suggested five years for validity), the community development department (staff) will review and make written determinations about critical area presence and classification, and some exemptions remain for single-family projects and emergency work. When a commissioner asked why pre-application meetings were not mandatory the staff said, \"I don't believe you can require pre application meetings anymore.\"

Staff said the plan is to return to the commission for a public hearing and recommendation in October after the state review letters are received and any required revisions are made. The draft was submitted under the usual review timeline; staff said they anticipate correspondence from state reviewers within the next month.","Staff told the planning commission it has submitted the draft critical areas ordinance to state reviewers and plans to return with a public hearing and recommendation after the 60-day state review; the draft incorporates state-required \"no net loss\" language and reorganizes definitions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985855,"Planning commission recommends annual zoning updates; adds ADU foundation requirement and clarifies temporary sign spacing",647,428000,1075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2&start=428&end=1075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2/thumbnail_428000.jpg","/articles/5985855/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Planning-commission-recommends-annual-zoning-updates-adds-ADU-foundation-requirement-and-clarifies-temporary-sign-spacing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985855-8df2b4dbdbd2289fcd3bb2b3343f556e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402248&Signature=WWn5WYNXTKP2lIViBUWG6lqLnLVyqxknuUB7t-nWaNuBZ5zskDeBwgtivh8ejT7ztQZdlxY3qo0e5~lTOXNNdRDGgRA8epRFW053Y-8qbPK-rQgCPougL04DH0Ns0yDnJDKCWu~utDn~vayAjzNSDGHiqgD2kI-NVbUTHQurR-iwo-t-wtsbrTRz6wkSE8Bd1XjaA2p3KQvf-xQasCd0IIuimya5LopjDfdVgQx3fc2bukc6~ZDPCOzmP5DwCRVo107nOLQ26M1ld8B2dLP6vaYafQerp9nPJ4ueAeo~sQocQbgF9kUv22hWTen9A2jDU3a9rnPer-B5phYBkU1dAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend city council adopt the draft 2025 annual zoning code updates, including several clarifying edits to definitions, use tables and sign rules. The public hearing for the zoning code annual update (PLN 202500006) was opened and closed with no public speakers.

Staff told the commission the amendments are primarily clarifications and housekeeping items intended to align the zoning code with the recent comp plan edits. On accessory dwelling units (ADUs) staff said the intent is to require ADUs to be permanent structures and to meet building-code standards. In the staff presentation the planner said an ADU should “meet[] all of the codes of a permanent structure, including a permanent foundation.” Commissioner Johnson asked whether tiny homes could qualify; staff said a tiny home could qualify if it is permanently sited, connected and permitted (for instance, permitted as a manufactured home under state LNI rules) and meets the applicable codes.

On signage staff recommended clarifying the temporary-sign rules for signs in the public right of way. The planner explained the code requires temporary signage on private property to be 100 feet apart when signs provide the same information and said the amendment would add that same 100-foot spacing requirement in the right of way: \"it has to be within a 100 feet along the same property line providing the same information.\" The amendment is intended to limit sign clutter while allowing multiple signs when they convey different information.

Staff also noted a technical correction to the business district use table to explicitly list vehicle repair in the business district where vehicle sales already exist. Commissioners asked whether the business district change affected other town-center or residential map changes; staff replied it would be limited to the business corridor described in the packet.

After discussion Commissioner [not specified in transcript] moved \"to recommend to the city council the draft 2025 annual update to the zoning code as presented and discussed with the revision of adding including a permanent foundation.\" The motion passed unanimously.

The recommended changes will be forwarded to city council for final action. Staff recorded the zoning annual update as PLN 202500006 and said the code-language revisions will be incorporated into the municipal code and posted once council action is complete.","The commission voted unanimously to recommend the 2025 annual zoning code updates to city council, including clarifying accessory dwelling unit (ADU) requirements to require a permanent foundation, adding vehicle repair to a business district, and specifying temporary sign spacing in the right of way.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5985861,"Planning commission recommends 2025 comprehensive plan update, reclassifies East Pierce Fire land for community facility",515,169000,684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2&start=169&end=684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5766326-aa9ca41e8e44bfbb1401bdb46df412f2/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/5985861/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Planning-commission-recommends-2025-comprehensive-plan-update-reclassifies-East-Pierce-Fire-land-for-community-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5985861-40d614a02d00f18219eb0c446805dd3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775402248&Signature=OuduY7W5fI4swRwWZ7bJJHk931EIe2K9nq0LpVbP0caDUHs6KSNX4hNPpfdLcv8k~VoA9Xevg~0U3YYkkO84VKEmr2xp~zqe5QDYIQJVK4HYaViPeXVfPva1xTRr4AzMrcnidvLSphUk~zaQ6K8z0ihj8V1vUocBzYTo~0KZAGjffct0qvm-KKydwIFh15~fm~bv0jq-VeXJs2FV4mKBeE0QfJsEX85F1RjUFZnvZb1n8xpvNPhvxRWUsQKyvs87OORhhJEmeSqlkZepBA8cK~aqB~3i7DDF0K0xHmoj-YmJyGLJ9yjiN3q21bQ2uHfO9NBkAkMsMT6NZScUEjEUZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Milton Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend city council adopt the draft 2025 updates to the comprehensive plan, including an amendment to the future land use map to reclassify property East Pierce Fire and Rescue has purchased as community facilities. The public hearing was opened at 6:05 p.m. for PLN 202500005 and closed after one public speaker.

The change affects parcels now owned by East Pierce Fire and Rescue; the department presented the map amendment as the first step toward building a permanent station. John Parkinson, identified in public comment as “the fire chief of East Pierce Fire and Rescue located in Bonney Lake,” told the commission the acquisition and project had been “a multiyear project for East Pierce Fire and Rescue to both acquire the land and then make sure that we have a fund the funding to build a fire station here in Milton.” Parkinson also said the department had begun staffing a temporary Milton station “in the parking lot here, 247365,” and that “we have the funding set aside to now move the project forward.”

The staff presentation said the comprehensive plan update is twofold: (1) a routine update to the city's six-year capital facilities plan so it aligns with utility plans and upcoming infrastructure schedules, and (2) a map amendment to change the designation of the parcels East Pierce Fire and Rescue has purchased from their current category to “community facilities.” Staff told the commission a related zoning amendment to make fire and emergency service facilities a conditional use in the community facility zone will follow as a separate hearing; that zoning step would trigger a public hearing and a neighborhood meeting before the hearing examiner.

Commissioners discussed the item briefly. Commissioner Boyle said she was “glad that East Pierce was able to get that property and that we are putting it as a community facility.” Commissioner Johnson asked whether the map change would affect prior edits to the comp plan; staff replied that the change would be limited to the parcels identified and that previously adopted comp plan map changes remain in place. When Johnson asked whether moving the land to community facilities would exempt the property from property taxes, staff answered, \"The zoning won't exempt them. The facility will exempt them.\"

After discussion the commission moved and seconded a motion \"to recommend to the city council the draft 2025 updates to the comprehensive plan as presented and discussed.\" The motion passed unanimously.

The recommendation to council is advisory; the city council must take final action. The commission recorded the matter as PLN 202500005 for the comprehensive plan annual update. Staff said the zoning amendment to follow will be scheduled as a separate hearing and will include community notification and a public hearing before the hearing examiner.

What happens next: the recommendation will be forwarded to city council for its decision. The zoning amendment to allow fire and emergency service facilities as a conditional use in the community facilities zone will be the subject of a later hearing and will include the public-notice steps described by staff.","The Milton Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend city council adopt the draft 2025 comprehensive plan updates, including a future land use map amendment to reclassify property owned by East Pierce Fire and Rescue as community facilities to allow a new fire station.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission reviews proposed multifamily design standards; debate focuses on parking, screening and materials

Staff begins state review of critical areas ordinance update; commission to consider in October

Planning commission recommends annual zoning updates; adds ADU foundation requirement and clarifies temporary sign spacing

Planning commission recommends 2025 comprehensive plan update, reclassifies East Pierce Fire land for community facility