Council approves package of planning and housing ordinances; LTAC funding cleared
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Summary
The Port Angeles City Council adopted multiple ordinances tied to Vision 2045 — a citywide rezone, a 2025 housing action plan update and co‑living housing regulations — and approved LTAC's preliminary 2026 budget. Several items passed unanimously after related discussion.
At a Dec. 16 Port Angeles council meeting, members approved several ordinances and funding items tied to the Vision 2045 comprehensive plan update and local housing strategy.
Key outcomes
- Citywide rezone: Council adopted an ordinance amending the official zoning map to align zoning districts with the Vision 2045 future land use map. Staff said the rezone expands housing capacity and supports mixed‑use centers. The ordinance passed on second reading.
- 2025 Housing Action Plan update: Council adopted the periodic update to the 2019 Housing Action Plan, which includes strategies to expand housing options, encourage infill development and address land‑capacity needs. Staff noted that two issues flagged at the previous meeting had been addressed in the staff memo.
- Co‑living housing ordinance: In compliance with RCW 36.70A.535, the council adopted code amendments allowing co‑living housing in zones where six or more multifamily units are permitted, and amended multiple municipal code chapters accordingly.
- Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) recommendations: LTAC recommended a preliminary 2026 budget of $1,597,925 and approved opening a second RFP round for capital projects. LTAC voted 7‑0 on the recommendation; council adopted LTAC’s recommendation, and also directed staff to bring a draft resolution proposing that LTAC fully fund lodging‑tax administrative costs (staff had estimated full oversight at about $134,000; LTAC recommended allocating $55,000 this round and requested additional documentation for further funding consideration).
Votes and procedure
Council conducted second readings of the zoning, housing plan and co‑living ordinances and took final votes on each. LTAC’s recommendation and the budget motion passed unanimously; the council asked staff to prepare a resolution for future council consideration on administrative funding for LTAC.
What to watch next
Staff will carry out the code amendments necessary to implement the adopted ordinances and will return with any required implementation timelines and budget adjustments. The LTAC committee will be asked to revisit staff cost documentation and the council expects a formal resolution on administrative‑cost policy prior to the next LTAC meeting.
