Sequim council adopts emergency moratorium on master-planned overlay applications; staff says action is procedural, not a project veto

The Sequim City Council voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance imposing a moratorium on applications for master planned overlays, a move staff described as a temporary, procedural pause to review the city's comprehensive plan, municipal code and internal approval procedures.

City staff made several points during the council's general business item: the moratorium is intended to ensure clear and consistent guidance in the city's comprehensive plan and municipal code as the city processes large-scale master-plan applications. Staff emphasized the moratorium is not a judgment on any one proposed development and said they have been in communication with the applicant's counsel and the property owner's counsel.

The public record at the meeting included multiple speakers connected to the West Bay proposal and the John Wayne Enterprises site. A lawyer for John Wayne Enterprises summarized the family's long history in the area and asked the council to clarify that the moratorium would not be treated as a rejection of the project. Seabrook representatives told the council they had invested significant time and money preparing a master plan application and said they were surprised by the moratorium. Several Sequim residents and local business owners spoke in favor of allowing the West Bay project to proceed, citing expected economic benefits, job creation and philanthropic commitments tied to the developer's community foundation.

Staff member Christina Nelson Gross (recorded in the meeting) told councilors staff's aim was to "bring the clearest, most defensible path for the city, for the applicant, and frankly, for the residents as well." She said staff had consulted outside legal counsel and that the moratorium is a tool recommended to manage the situation and to allow staff time to explore alternatives and review internal procedures.

Councilors asked questions about scope and timing during staff remarks. Staff said the moratorium targets master planned overlays and not smaller developments, that it is possible to rescind the moratorium if staff identify viable alternatives before the moratorium period ends, and that state law allows an emergency ordinance with a required public hearing within 60 calendar days. The council directed staff to schedule that public hearing in the regular manner.

The motion to adopt the emergency ordinance carried on a roll-call vote recorded as 7-0 in favor. Councilors who voted "yes" in the roll call were Kelly Berger, Dan Butler, Vicki Lowe, Deputy Mayor Rachel Anderson, Mayor Brandon Janisse, Harmony Rudder and Nicole Hartman. The council also directed staff to continue communications with the applicant and to return with options informed by staff review and the upcoming public hearing.

Next steps: staff will schedule the public hearing within 60 calendar days as required by statute, continue discussions with the applicant's counsel, evaluate municipal code and comprehensive plan guidance, and return to council with recommendations.