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Washington County planning staff outline biennial work program, code assessment and anticipated ordinances
Summary
County planning staff presented a two‑year work program and listed likely ordinance topics including town center boundaries, rural accessory dwelling units, FEMA floodplain compliance tied to endangered‑species guidance, housing code amendments and a 15‑month code assessment; staff gave an April 15 draft release and a 45‑day review window.
Theresa Cherniak, community planning section manager, and other planning staff presented potential future work session topics and the department's two‑year work program at the planning commission meeting.
Cherniak said the department plans to publish a draft work program around April 15, followed by a 45‑day public review period. The work program will identify ordinances and non‑ordinance work sessions the commission can expect over the next two years.
Staff listed items likely to advance as ordinances or projects: adoption of town‑center boundaries for areas partially in unincorporated county (Raleigh Hills, Sunset Transit, Washington Square regional centers) with a year‑end schedule; a proposed rural accessory dwelling unit allowance; potential amendments to floodplain regulations to meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre‑implementation compliance measures tied to a biological opinion about endangered salmon; near‑term housing amendments including changes related to middle housing and implementation of House Bill 2138; and potential map changes and code cleanups arising from last year's significant natural resources ordinances.
Cherniak said the county has started a 15‑month community development code assessment and that work will include an early review of clear‑and‑objective standards required by state law. She asked the planning commission to nominate two members for the code assessment technical advisory committee.
Transportation items staff flagged for future work sessions included a new transportation development review process to speed coordination with cities and agencies, the Farmington Road concept plan, an active transportation plan (grant funded) to start later this year, and the county's major Transportation System Plan update.
Cherniak also described a multi‑year urban services framework planning project directed by county administration to analyze financial and practical considerations for providing urban services in unincorporated urban areas; staff said that project will produce technical findings over two years and could inform future ordinances.
Commissioners asked for timing and prioritization details, expressed interest in rural land use topics such as agritourism and rural housing viability, and requested follow‑ups on budget and staffing constraints that affect implementation. Staff said legislative developments will influence which items move forward and that some topics — notably FEMA floodplain requirements and state housing law changes — could require rapid responses once final rules are clarified.
Staff said they will return with a mid‑session legislative update and more detailed items tied to the draft work program. The department encouraged commissioners to send topic priorities to staff and to suggest planning commission members for technical advisory committees.
