Council holds public hearing on Phase 2 comprehensive-plan code updates including parking changes tied to SB 5184

The City Council held a public hearing on June 17 on the Phase 2 comprehensive-plan code amendments, during which planning staff summarized proposed changes to zoning definitions, parking rules and administrative procedures.

Jacqueline Sampson, planner in the Community Development Department, told the council the amendments would add a definition and standards for neighborhood-scale commercial uses to implement the 2024 comprehensive plan and the Department of Commerce guidance. Sampson said details for pet-care and indoor pet boarding uses were clarified in the draft and can be found in the packet.

On parking, Sampson said Senate Bill 5184, signed by the governor on May 7, 2025, prompted the city to reexamine off-street parking requirements. Staff prepared draft code updates that would remove minimum off-street parking requirements citywide and address related effects on bicycle parking and shared-vehicle parking. The draft also updates bicycle-parking standards to include e-bike support and charging, reflecting June 3 council feedback.

Sampson said the city recently increased maximum hard-surface coverage and, following council and planning commission guidance, is proposing to remove maximum building-coverage standards and rely on maximum hard-surface coverage instead to simplify review. Additional administrative amendments clarify variance criteria and remove duplicate shoreline references; a new net-billable-area definition would support density calculations.

The CPAA 60-day notice-of-intent comment period closes July 4, 2025, Sampson said. After the public hearing staff will return to council on July 8 with a proposed final ordinance for adoption. No public members spoke at the hearing and no council action was taken at the meeting.

Less critical details: staff described the portal where draft revisions appear in the packet (specific code sections cited in the staff presentation).