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Council approves scope to bundle permanent housing and permitting code updates into omnibus ordinance
Summary
Council approved scope and timetable for an omnibus ordinance to adopt permanent regulations covering multiple state-mandated housing and permit topics, directing the Planning Commission to begin review with an accelerated schedule.
Mercer Island City Council on July 15 approved a scope of work to prepare a single omnibus ordinance that will adopt permanent code changes on several state-driven development topics and directed the Planning Commission to begin an accelerated review schedule.
Community Planning & Development Director Jeff Thomas and planner Adam Zach described the package as a coordinated response to multiple legislative mandates and interim ordinances. The omnibus ordinance will address seven topic groups in one legislative package: House Bill 1220 (emergency and supportive housing), House Bill 6015 (residential parking requirements), House Bill 1293 (clear and objective design standards), Senate Bill 5290 (permit review timelines), House Bill 1998 (co-living housing), code updates to reflect the dissolution of the city’s former design commission, and comprehensive-plan implementation items including town-center height and affordability adjustments.
Zach said the omnibus approach will allow staff and the Planning Commission to examine overlapping code changes holistically rather than renewing multiple interim ordinances on six-month cycles. The council directed the Planning Commission to receive up to five work sessions, review a code amendment package released for 30-day public comment in August, hold a planning commission public hearing on Sept. 24 and aim to deliver a recommendation to council by Nov. 4. The schedule envisions a second reading before council on Nov. 18 and an effective date of Dec. 31, 2025.
Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum expressed support for a timely but thorough review and asked staff to emphasize the compressed schedule to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Craig Reynolds thanked staff for the approach, noting that interim ordinances have been a bottleneck and praising the plan to clear multiple interim items at once. Councilmember Weicker asked about public outreach; staff said the primary engagement channel will be the city’s “Let’s Talk” page and the public will have multiple opportunities to comment at Planning Commission and council meetings.
Councilmember Mike Weinberg moved and Councilmember Reynolds seconded approval of the scope of work and the directive to the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
