Sedro‑Woolley council tables overhaul of off‑street parking rules after developers, residents push changes

Sedro‑Woolley — The City Council on June 11 temporarily tabled a municipal‑code update that would consolidate and change the city’s off‑street parking and loading rules, sending the draft back to staff for changes after developers and residents raised concerns.

The council’s action followed a presentation by Ashton, Community Development staff, and a public hearing with several business and development speakers. Ashton said the proposed update grouped private‑parking rules into Title 17, clarified the interplay with Title 10 (on‑street regulations) and reflected both the state’s recent parking law language and local public feedback.

The council’s request to delay a vote came after developers warned the draft would discourage construction of small, affordable units and residents urged clearer enforcement for vehicles blocking sidewalks and rights of way. BYK Construction owner Paul Woodmancy told the council higher parking minimums in some mixed‑use zones would push developers away from building studios and one‑bedrooms.

Council members and staff converged on a package of edits to return to council: lower required parking for studios to 1.2 stalls and one‑bedrooms to 1.5 stalls in all zones (including MC/CBD); reduce parking minimum reductions for structured parking and transit proximity from 20% to 10%; remove the draft’s requirement for dedicated loading‑zone spaces for apartment buildings; and research changing the required off‑garage apron length from 25 feet to 20 feet. Councilmembers also asked staff to organize a workshop with developers and code enforcement so both “sides of the table” could discuss enforceability and practical design details.

"I would like you to add a few things," Councilman Henderson said during debate, adding specific studio/one‑bedroom ratios and a 20‑foot apron proposal. Ashton told the council each proposed change could be written into the draft and returned for formal action.

The council formalized the direction in a motion to table the ordinance amendment; the motion was made by Councilman LaVaca, seconded by Councilman Henderson, and carried. Ashton said staff would bring back a revised draft with the agreed edits and schedule the developer/staff workshop before the next decision.

What’s next: Council members asked staff to (1) prepare a revised Title 17 that sets studio/one‑bedroom parking at 1.2/1.5 respectively across zones, (2) change the structured‑parking/transit reduction to 10%, (3) remove the loading‑zone requirement for new multifamily projects, (4) research and propose a 20‑foot apron option where appropriate, and (5) convene a developer and enforcement workshop to test the practical effects before returning the draft for a vote.

Background: Ashton noted the update was prompted by the city council’s earlier direction to consolidate private‑parking rules and reconcile differences between community development and police code (Title 17 vs. Title 10). The draft also flagged which changes were driven by recent state law (marked with RCW references) and which were local policy choices.

Local context: The debate reflected the usual tensions between encouraging infill and affordable small‑unit development, and residents’ complaints about driveway/sidewalk obstruction and on‑street overflow. Several council members asked staff to identify how many on‑street and private‑property enforcement actions police and code enforcement are currently taking and asked for an outreach session for neighborhood business owners and multifamily developers.