Planning Commission revisits mass-timber and prefab dwelling code updates and timeline for Type 4 actions

The Planning Commission discussed mass-timber code updates and related provisions for prefabricated and manufactured dwellings, and staff flagged a separate process change to align the city's notice period for Type 4 legislative land-use actions with state administrative rules.

On the mass-timber package, staff and commissioners said the document mixes mandatory changes tied to state law with optional or recommended items. One participant said the label "mass timber" can be misleading because much of the draft addresses prefabricated dwellings and implementation details rather than only timber construction. Staff agreed to review past agendas and memos to confirm what the Planning Commission or council previously approved and whether required items already were adopted via Type 4 legislative action or other processes.

Separately, staff proposed reducing the notice period before the first evidentiary hearing for Type 4 legislative decisions from 45 days to 35 days to match state administrative rules; staff said an initial public hearing date is being targeted and that the change would itself be a Type 4 amendment requiring public hearings and council action. Commissioners asked whether prioritizing that amendment ahead of larger Title 18 changes was appropriate; staff said the timeline change is a relatively straightforward amendment and could be executed sooner than broader code reform.

Staff committed to follow up with written confirmation of prior actions, a schedule for hearings, and further detail on which code provisions are mandatory versus advisory.