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Council reviews multiple municipal code cleanups: nonconforming commercial uses, utility box wraps and docket timing
Summary
Staff presented a package of municipal code amendments including allowing existing commercial uses to remain commercial in parts of Smokey Point Boulevard, requiring art wraps for new street-facing utility transformers, and changing the annual docket opening from January to August.
City planning staff presented several municipal code amendments at the workshop covering nonconforming commercial uses, utility design and the city’s docketing and amendment procedures.
Nonconforming commercial uses (AMC 20.32): Amy Roscoe said the amendment allows existing commercial businesses along Smokey Point Boulevard (roughly 170 Third Street South to the city limits) to change use while remaining commercial rather than being forced to convert to mixed-use standards after prior rezones created a mixed-use overlay. She gave examples, including a bank and an RV repair business, saying the amendment would preserve active commercial uses and noted staff could remove the provision later when market conditions make full conversion appropriate.
Utility transformer wraps and undergrounding (AMC 20.60): Roscoe described new code language (20.60.455) requiring new development to place transformers between buildings and the street with art wraps; placing transformers behind buildings or away from the public right-of-way would allow unwrapped installations. Staff plans to coordinate with the Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission on design standards and preapproved wrap patterns. Roscoe also corrected a longstanding typographical error in the code clarifying transmission line voltage as “115” (previously “15”) and proposed locating transmission lines behind buildings along mixed-use commercial corridors such as Smokey Point Boulevard to enable tree-lined streets and improved pedestrian environments.
Amendments chapter and docket timing (AMC 220.96 / periodic update procedures): Roscoe proposed reorganizing amendment procedures into six parts and adding a new section that incorporates Department of Commerce periodic update procedures for comprehensive plan updates (the 10-year periodic update). She also proposed shifting the city’s annual docket opening from January to August to smooth staff workloads and spread council and Planning Commission consideration throughout the year, with a target schedule of October planning commission review and November council action. Roscoe said the August opening would be advertised in the newspaper (two consecutive weeks) and via social media where appropriate; she acknowledged a transition year would create some overlap.
Council members asked whether the docket timing change would restrict public access; Roscoe said the intent is to increase clarity and public notice and that she planned newspaper and possible social-media notices. Councilmembers generally expressed support for better scheduling and coordinated outreach.
Why it matters: these code amendments affect business operations, streetscape aesthetics, utilities placement and the public’s ability to propose zoning and comp-plan amendments. The docket timing change aims to improve staff capacity and predictability for applicants and council review schedules.
No formal votes were recorded in the workshop; staff asked to return with finalized ordinance language and indicated coordination with Parks, Arts and Recreation for transformer-art standards.
