Puyallup council extends interim middle‑housing zoning for six months

Puyallup — The City Council voted 5–2 on Dec. 2 to approve first reading of an ordinance extending interim middle‑housing zoning for six months, giving staff and the Planning Commission more time to incorporate state middle‑housing requirements into local single‑family zoning code.

Planning Manager Katie Baker told council the city adopted the interim zoning in June to meet a June 30 statutory deadline and is still completing its Planning Commission review. "Tonight the request is to hold a public hearing and adopt first reading of that six‑month extension," Baker said. She said the Planning Commission is scheduled to continue review next week and staff expects to return to council for adoption in January or February.

Councilmembers asked for clarification on related work items. Councilmember Dean Johnson sought to confirm that the separate Lahar‑zone study is on a different timeline; Baker said it is a distinct work item led by the city’s emergency management director. Councilmember Whiting noted the master builders had expressed concern about the moratorium and urged staff to move the code work forward quickly.

The measure would extend the interim zoning ordinance that the council adopted earlier in the year (identified on the meeting record as ordinance 3323) to allow more time for the city’s code update while the Planning Commission completes its review consistent with House Bill 1110. After the public hearing produced no testimony, council moved and seconded first reading; the motion passed 5–2.

Next steps: staff said it expects to complete Planning Commission review soon and return to council for adoption. Because this was first reading, the ordinance requires a subsequent reading and vote to become final.