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Sumner study session airs neighborhood concerns over proposed 30th Street rezone
Summary
Council discussed an applicant request to rezone roughly 3 acres near 29th Street E from residential to light industrial, with residents and council members raising noise and heavy-truck concerns; Planning Commission recommended denying the request and no formal action was taken at the study session.
Ryan Windisch, Sumner's community economic development director, opened discussion of an applicant-initiated request to rezone about 3 acres on the south edge of a residential neighborhood near 29th Street E and 142nd, saying the Planning Commission recommended against the change and that the item is before council for study only. "The proposal is to rezone this 3 acres on the south edge of this neighborhood to light industrial," Windisch said.
Councilmembers and staff exchanged detailed questions about the likely impacts of a light-industrial designation and what existing local codes could and could not address. Councilmember Andy asked about a history of noise tied to an adjacent machine shop; Windisch confirmed there have been noise complaints over the years and said enforcement uses noise-meter readings and code compliance procedures. "If it's not compliant, then the property owner has to take measures to reduce that noise so that it is compliant," Windisch said.
Members also raised concerns about semi-truck traffic and whether the city can prevent large trucks from routing through neighborhood streets. Windisch said the city can pursue signage or enforcement but that operational routing and enforcement involves the police department and that additional signage might help. He and councilmembers discussed access constraints: Parcel A does not front the nearby street and would require an easement for access from adjacent property owners.
Windisch outlined development capacity under current residential zoning: about 15 minimum-sized lots (8,500 sq ft) and the statutory allowance for duplexes or some middle housing that could yield roughly 30 dwellings; he noted a theoretical gross maximum near 40 units before infrastructure and roads are considered. Council members stressed that rezoning to light industrial could permit a wide range of uses, from contractor businesses and small manufacturing to truck yards and trailer parking, and that the council would be deciding without knowing a specific end user.
Windisch noted state law limits comprehensive-plan amendments to the annual window the council chooses to open; the applicant could apply in the next amendment cycle if the council does not act now. The Planning Commission's recommendation to retain residential zoning and the volume of public comment were central to the study-session discussion. The council did not take formal action on the rezone during the study session.
