The Auburn City Council on Sept. 2 approved an amendment to Article 4 of the city's zoning ordinance to allow conditional, low-intensity commercial uses in areas annexed into the city under a rural designation.

The change creates a path for certain small-scale commercial activities in land now limited to residential development under the rural designation, which currently allows one house per three acres in annexed parcels. Planning staff described the amendment as a tool to respond to shifting demographics and traffic patterns while preserving rural character.

"By allowing the flexibility in our ordinance, it would allow staff to keep up with the shifting demographics and traffic patterns of the city in considering planning objectives," the planning director said in remarks included by the mayor during the minutes. The planning director added that conditional uses could entice owners of high-visibility corners to annex into the city and thereby comply with city standards for use and aesthetics.

The amendment does not automatically permit commercial development; it creates conditional-use authority so each proposal must be reviewed and approved through the planning department and the city council. The council emphasized that the change is intended to allow only low-intensity commercial services that serve nearby residents and to preserve the overall rural character of those areas.

Mayor Ron Anders read the planning director's memorandum and noted the council's approval. The council did not provide a vote tally in the meeting minutes read aloud.

The amendment will take effect according to the city’s ordinance-adoption procedures; specific implementation steps including application requirements and review criteria will be set by planning staff and considered at future council hearings.