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Committee refers urban‑center zoning changes to public hearing, seeks higher‑density development
Summary
Ordinance 25-078, which would amend Snohomish County’s urban center zone rules to align with the 2024 comprehensive plan, remove the urban center design review board, and shift away from townhouses toward higher‑density housing, was referred to GLS for a Jan. 14 public hearing.
The Snohomish County Planning and Community Development Committee on Jan. 6 referred Ordinance 25-078 to GLS to set a public hearing date (noted in the meeting as Jan. 14). The ordinance would amend sections of county code dealing with the urban center zone to align regulations with the county’s 2024 comprehensive plan and recent changes in state law.
Ryan Himbry, council staff, said the proposal would remove the urban center design review board—a demonstration program established in 2021—and streamline permit processing to ensure consistency with RCW 36.70A.630 (cited by staff as a recently adopted state requirement). The ordinance would also remove townhouses as a permitted use in the urban center in favor of provisions encouraging higher‑density development.
Staff characterized the changes as intended to promote consistency with the comprehensive plan and the Growth Management Act and to speed up permit review timelines. Chair Nering asked no further questions and referred the ordinance to GLS to schedule a public hearing.
Next steps: GLS will set the public hearing date and the committee may receive additional materials or testimony at that hearing before final action.
