Sedro‑Woolley holds first reading of proposed changes to off‑street parking rules (Ord. 209,625)

Ashton (Community Development staff) presented the first reading of Ordinance 209,625 on April 9, a set of amendments to Title 17 of the Sedro‑Woolley Municipal Code that would revise off‑street parking and loading requirements.

The proposal consolidates parking rules from multiple zoning chapters into a single table in Chapter 17.36 and applies a scaled minimum‑parking approach so smaller dwelling units (studios, one‑bedrooms) require fewer spaces than larger units. Ashton said the code would also clarify the city’s cooperative/shared parking provisions so developers and property owners better understand how to create shared parking agreements.

The ordinance would require loading zones or docks for residential developments at a threshold of 25 units or more; buildings with 24 units or fewer would not be required to provide a loading zone under the current draft. Ashton said the city is proposing parking maximums (above the existing minimums) for the Central Business District and the Urban Village Mixed‑Use overlay to discourage large surface parking lots that can displace commercial or housing uses.

Ashton told council that state legislative mandates are incorporated where required by RCW; the presenter noted one statutory requirement about “major transit stops” must appear in municipal code even though Sedro‑Woolley has none. Council members asked questions during the first reading about enforcement of vehicles that overhang sidewalks, the legislative background on parking reductions and the city’s next steps. Ashton said the proposal did not change minimum parking requirements for commercial, industrial or public uses, and did not change accessory dwelling unit (ADU) parking minimums except where a state RCW specifically requires language to be added.

Councilman Lavaca praised the consolidation into a single matrix and called it easier to read; Councilman Cook thanked staff and said the council cannot control the state legislature’s actions. Councilman Lloyd asked whether the legislature is seeking to reduce parking requirements; Ashton said several bills address parking and identified one as Senate Bill 6015 (the presenter did not quote a final code reference).

The ordinance is a first reading and will return to council for further consideration at a future meeting; Ashton indicated staff anticipates the item on the next council agenda but did not give a final date. No vote to adopt occurred at the April 9 meeting.

Key details: ordinance number 209,625; consolidates parking rules into 17.36; loading zone threshold begins at 25 residential units; parking maximums proposed only for the Central Business District and Urban Village Mixed‑Use overlay; state RCW language included where mandated.