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Tumwater council adopts zoning change to encourage high-density mixed-use in General Commercial zone
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance O2024-008 to amend Municipal Code chapter 18.22 to allow higher-density mixed-use multifamily developments outright in the General Commercial zone, subject to minimum density and nonresidential-content requirements.
The Tumwater City Council voted unanimously Jan. 21 to adopt Ordinance O2024-008, which amends Municipal Code chapter 18.22 to ease requirements for high-density mixed-use residential development in the city's General Commercial zone.
Brad Madriga, a staff member presenting the ordinance, told the council the change replaces a conditional-use pathway for high-rise residential buildings with a permitted mixed-use approach that requires a minimum residential density of 40 dwelling units per acre within mixed-use development on the same site or in the same structure. "The intent of the ordinance is very specific. It is amendments to municipal code chapter 18.22 for the general commercial zone district, and it is focused on essentially making it easier to have high intensity mixed use residential uses in the general commercial zone," Madriga said.
The ordinance requires that a nonresidential component remain part of mixed-use projects: if residential and nonresidential uses share a building, at least 25% of the building area must be nonresidential; if the uses are on the same site but in separate structures, 40% of the total site area must be designated for nonresidential uses. The changes are intended to preserve space for commercial activity while increasing residential density along corridors primarily west of Interstate 5 between I-5 and Little Rock Road.
Councilmembers asked staff clarifying questions about the types of nonresidential uses that could be included and whether the change was state-mandated. Madriga responded that any nonresidential uses already allowed in the General Commercial zone ' from institutional uses to grocery stores or clinics ' could be part of a mixed-use development and that the ordinance is a local change, not a state mandate.
Action taken: Councilmember Ron Holtz moved to adopt Ordinance O2024-008; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Dahlhart and passed on a unanimous voice vote. Council members also noted the ordinance had been before the planning commission and the General Government Committee, which recommended council adoption.
Ending: Councilmembers framed the ordinance as a tool to encourage density in commercial corridors and to preserve commercial activity while accommodating more multifamily housing in appropriate locations.
