Planning commission to readopt comp plan, review form‑based code and proposed zoning map after Commerce procedural finding

The Buckley Planning Commission discussed readopting the city's comprehensive plan after the Washington State Department of Commerce identified a procedural error that requires corrective action, staff said. "We had a procedural error in October and the Department of Commerce would like us to readopt," Staff member Chris said, adding the agency's comments were "not substantial" and should be "relatively easy to address."

Commission staff told members they plan to send an amended plan to Commerce for expedited review in May and aim to readopt at a June meeting, timed to give council the commission's recommendations. "We hope to have it ready to go May, send it out for an expedited review by Commerce, and then just depending on the scheduling, the meeting dates in June, readopt," Chris said.

Why it matters: readoption affects the schedule for implementing zoning changes that the commission is considering, including a proposed zoning map, multifamily density ranges and a set of design rules that could affect future development. Staff said Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has been consulted and does not object to the readoption process described by staff.

Commissioners reviewed a separate staff packet that included a form‑based code example (sourced from Kingston, New York) and a draft zoning map with new density bands. Staff described the multifamily low density band at roughly 18'to'25 dwelling units per acre and multifamily high density at about 20'to'30 units per acre. Commissioners and staff flagged height limits and other standards as constraints on meeting the highest density goals in some places. "It's almost impossible to achieve the 30 units a acre for those with current height restrictions," one commissioner said.

Staff also said the city plans to keep the existing historic commercial district on Main Street intact and that the Citizen Advisory Group is pursuing historic‑preservation registration that could unlock state funds for storefront restoration. "I don't necessarily see that changing. I think generally people ... love the Main Street," Chris said.

Next steps: staff will prepare an amended comp plan for the commission's April 21 meeting materials, circulate the form‑based code materials for review, and bring an updated zoning map and supporting design guidance back to the commission for recommendation to city council. The commission also discussed scheduling (returning to two meetings per month) to handle the workload of code updates and the comp plan readoption.