Council adopts updated comprehensive plan after votes to deny one private wastewater amendment and add anti‑displacement policy

The Gig Harbor City Council on April 14 adopted ordinance 15‑38, approving an updated comprehensive plan after separate votes to deny a private wastewater amendment application and to add an explicit policy addressing commercial displacement.

Eric Baker, the city's Community Development Director, told the council the draft comprehensive plan incorporates state guidance under House Bill 1220 and preparatory work for follow‑on zoning map and development code updates required later in 2025. Baker said the plan is a "foundational" compliance step and that further changes to zoning and regulations will be needed to fully implement state mandates.

Council considered two additions received after prior deliberations: (1) formal language memorializing the council's decision on a private application requesting a wastewater basin amendment and (2) a policy suggested by the Puget Sound Regional Council to address risks of commercial displacement when properties are redeveloped.

Council member Wouk moved to deny the private comprehensive plan amendment application as presented in the council materials; the motion was seconded by Council member Rosenberg. After an initial tie, Mayor Mary Barber cast the deciding vote and the motion to deny the application passed 4–3. Staff advised that denying the application at the comprehensive plan level does not preclude future site‑specific technical amendments or a developer pursuing a separate process; several council members asked staff to explore site‑specific mechanisms that could allow deviations in exchange for public benefits such as affordable units or open space.

Council then voted 6–0 to add a new policy (identified in staff materials as EC‑2.6) to the comprehensive plan: "Address displacement from commercial redevelopment by identifying risks and considering strategies to reduce and/or prevent impacts," mirroring a request from the Puget Sound Regional Council.

After additional deliberation the council voted to adopt ordinance 15‑38 as amended. The final vote on the comprehensive plan was 5–1. Council member Wouk said she would not support the ordinance, criticizing state mandates and expressing concern about unfunded requirements. Director Baker and staff said the plan aligns with Department of Commerce guidance and that future zoning and code updates will follow to implement the plan's goals and policies.

Baker and staff noted the comprehensive plan and appendices total several hundred pages and that the next steps include updating the zoning map and development regulations to reflect the plan's policies and meet state requirements.