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Council liaison updates Snoqualmie Planning Commission on clean audits, e-bike ordinance and comp‑plan tasks
Summary
Council Member Johnson told the Planning Commission the city received a clean audit for 2022–23, described a proposed e-bike/e-motorcycle ordinance under council review, and previewed comprehensive plan and zoning-map work including rezoning Snoqualmie Ridge.
Council Member Johnson reported to the Planning Commission on Nov. 3 that the city received a clean audit opinion for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 and summarized ongoing council work that will affect planning department priorities.
On audits: Johnson said auditors issued a "clean opinion and complied in all material respects" for 2022 and 2023. The auditors noted that certain accounting practices ("gap financing") can provide enhanced tracking but that adopting those practices would require additional staff resources.
On e-bikes and e-motorcycles: Johnson described a draft ordinance under active council discussion that would define three classes of pedal‑assist e-bikes (maximum 750 watts) and distinguish motorized vehicles with greater power that would be treated like gas motorcycles. The proposed ordinance discussed a throttle-enabled Class 2 and a Class 3 with a maximum speed of 28 mph; the other classes would top out at 20 mph. The draft also includes helmet requirements and possible fines for violations (Johnson cited escalating fines up to $750 and a $75 penalty for helmet violations). Johnson cautioned the commission that the ordinance had not yet been adopted and that details could change.
Why it matters: Local rules governing e-bikes, e-mopeds and electric motorcycles affect public safety, trail and park access, and city enforcement. Johnson said council and public-safety staff have worked for over a year on definitions and enforcement questions to avoid sudden, inconsistent rules between neighboring cities.
Other council and department items: Johnson said council will likely adopt a strategic plan that lists planning priorities: updating the future land use and zoning maps, potential annexation of the urban growth area, continued affordable-housing work, and revitalization of Falls Avenue. Director Davis told the commission that PSRC (Puget Sound Regional Council) granted conditional certification for Snoqualmie's 2024 comprehensive plan on Sept. 25 and that King County ratified the city's updated growth targets on Oct. 27. Staff plans a zoning‑map update for Snoqualmie Ridge to reflect existing built conditions and said public outreach will include open houses and public hearings in 2026.
Community Development Committee item: Johnson said the Community Development Committee forwarded a critical‑areas ordinance to council with a change discussed in committee: a numeric threshold was reduced from 500 square feet to 250 square feet. (The committee discussion explained that the change was made to help the ordinance meet best‑available‑science expectations in conversations with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.)
Outcome and next steps: The e‑bike ordinance and the critical areas ordinance remain under council consideration; the Planning Commission was invited to attend upcoming Finance & Administration committee and council meetings and to provide public comment on the strategic plan and comp plan amendments as they move forward.
