Fife planners, residents spar over Firwood rezoning alternatives as developers propose industrial and mixed-use plans

FIFE, Wash. — City planning staff on Feb. 3 updated the Fife Planning Commission on proposed zoning changes across the city, focusing on the Firwood neighborhood where two outside proposals for rezoning arrived in November.

The update, led by Director Chris Larson of the Community Development Department, described staff’s preferred approach and summarized two alternatives submitted by developers: a roughly 11.7-acre industrial rezone offered by the Pape Group and a larger Vector Development Company proposal that would convert about 54 acres from industrial to medium-density residential. Larson said both alternatives arrived in mid-November and were reviewed by the City Council in November.

Why it matters: The city is conducting a periodic update of its comprehensive plan and zoning map to meet regional growth-management targets and new state housing laws. How the commission recommends rezoning Firwood could affect utility extensions, traffic, housing capacity and whether existing residents are able to remain in the neighborhood.

Staff synopsis and process

Director Chris Larson told commissioners the periodic update process has included outreach since 2022—surveys, neighborhood meetings…