Planning Commission reviews historic‑overlay color palette; business owners seek more flexibility

The Snoqualmie Planning Commission on April 7 reviewed options to update the municipal code’s historic‑overlay color palette and heard from a downtown business owner asking for more vibrant paint choices.

Owner Ashley, of June and Jim Ceramics, told the commission at the public‑comment podium she wants “a little bit more vibrancy and color to Downtown Snoqualmie,” including pastel trim such as peach, rosy tones or mint, and said brighter colors could help draw visitors to small shops.

Staff introduced contract planner Andrew Love, who reviewed Snoqualmie Municipal Code chapter 17.35 and said the city currently requires a Type 1 design‑review permit to change exterior paint within the historic overlay and requires a variance when applicants wish to deviate from the city’s prescribed palettes. Love said Snoqualmie’s palette is among the strictest of comparable towns the city reviewed.

Love summarized other municipalities’ approaches: some (Burien, Carnation, Gig Harbor) limit buildings to a base, trim and accent scheme or allow brighter colors only for trim and small architectural details; Port Townsend and Orting maintain preapproved historic palettes; Snohomish provides a long preapproved sign color table. Commissioners discussed these options and generally supported expanding flexibility while preserving a historic character.

Commissioners and staff cited a recent small‑business burden: staff said a recent variance (the Carousel Candy store) cost roughly $750 and could take several weeks, and staff noted the time and expense for applicants who must use a variance to choose nonapproved colors. Planning staff said moving some approvals to an administrative review at the time of a building permit — when proposed colors match an approved palette or guidance — could reduce cost and delay for small businesses.

Several commissioners favored an approach that allows earth tones and muted pastels for base colors, with brighter or more saturated colors limited to trim and accents. Vice Chair Kilcupp and Commissioner Murziac both praised examples that allow limited trim accents; Commissioner Murphy urged the commission to swing “the pendulum further towards flexibility so that our small business owners…can have every edge they can muster up to survive.” Commissioners broadly opposed neon or fluorescent colors.

Nicole (community liaison) told the commission business outreach and roundtables showed owners’ interest in more flexibility, and she said staff will include a revised palette or guidance and proposed code language in a future packet. Staff said they will return with draft amendments for the commission’s review and noted administrative approval as an option to reduce variance costs.

No formal code changes were adopted at the meeting; staff will return with draft code language and an implementation approach.