The City of Bothell Planning Commission voted unanimously March 19 to approve draft findings, conclusions and recommendations for the Phase 1 sign code amendment, a staff-led effort to align local rules with recent court decisions and correct cross‑references to other code chapters.

The action came after a presentation by planner Megan Riley, who asked commissioners to "consider and hold a vote on the proposed draft findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the phase 1 sign code amendment update." Riley told the commission the Phase 1 work is focused on legal compliance and that a broader modernization of the sign code is planned for later in 2025.

The commission's recommendation notes that the draft conclusions were prepared to reflect outreach and review and that amendments are “necessary to comply with recent court rulings” and protect public health, safety and welfare. Commissioners reviewed the packet and raised only minor edits; Commissioner Sills pointed out a typographical correction to the Imagine Bothell name on page 50.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve the minutes of the March 5, 2025 meeting. Mover: Commissioner Robson; Second: Commissioner Westerbeck. Outcome: Approved unanimously (yes: 6, no: 0, abstain: 0). Note: recorded during approval of meeting minutes prior to the sign-code discussion.
- Motion: Approve the draft findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the Phase 1 sign code amendment (as submitted, with one minor typographical comment). Mover: Commissioner Lehi; Second: Commissioner Sills. Outcome: Approved unanimously (yes: 6, no: 0, abstain: 0).

Next steps and context
Staff told commissioners the approved recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration in April. Riley said Phase 2, a broader modernization of the sign code, will return later in 2025 (Q3–Q4). The Phase 1 packet in the meeting materials includes the draft chapter updates (packet page 8) and the findings, conclusions and recommendations beginning on page 49.

Ending
The commission recorded the unanimous vote as approval “as submitted,” and staff said they would transmit the commission’s recommendation to City Council for the next step in the legislative process.