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Director outlines Main Street grant effort, zoning deadlines and staffing changes
Summary
Planning staff said the city is pursuing federal RAISE grant funding for Main Street Phase 2, expects a busy zoning and housing code schedule through June, and is hiring to refill a senior planner vacancy.
The Community and Economic Development director reported to the Planning Commission on Jan. 27 that staff are pursuing federal funding, preparing zoning work required by the state and replacing a senior planner who recently left for Seattle.
The director said the city has applied repeatedly for the federal RAISE grant to support Main Street Phase 2 improvements on 56th Street and that an open house is set for Feb. 12 in this same chamber to review proposed right-of-way acquisitions and infrastructure upgrades. "This will be the third year in a row the city has applied for this funding," the director said, noting the project includes roadway work and utility upgrades and that most property impact is a narrow strip of right-of-way ("two, two-and-a-half feet on most properties" in some places).
Staff said they are recruiting for a senior planner position after Jonathan Morales departed for a role in Seattle; the city will interview candidates and could bring in temporary assistance if needed. The director emphasized a June deadline for major zoning updates tied to state requirements and said staff will seek to avoid falling out of compliance.
Other items in the director's report included a new Mountlake Terrace Citizens Academy (scheduled for March 5 for CED's session), planned updates to the critical areas ordinance to reflect state best-available science (wetlands, floodplains, habitat), and code amendments to reflect new state time limits on permit processing. Staff said they are working with consultant Echo Northwest on zoning and housing plan tasks and will bring draft materials to the commission for review.
Commissioners asked about timeline and staffing; the director said the city has the planning framework already and would accelerate work if necessary to meet deadlines. The director said training and a joint session with City Council will be scheduled so the commission can adopt a 2025 work plan.
Ending: The commission requested periodic updates on consultant work and draft zoning materials and reiterated concern about meeting statutory timelines.
