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Planning Commission reviews 2025 accomplishments, 2026 work plan and development updates
Summary
Planning staff summarized 2025 achievements and the draft 2026 work program, including code updates, critical areas revisions, unit lot subdivision (on hold), multifamily tax exemption review, and highlights from Community Development on major projects such as the 90‑lot Garibaldi plat and upcoming Kaizen Flats and Park Place Townhomes.
At its Feb. 9 meeting, the Monroe City Planning Commission received a year‑end review of 2025 accomplishments and a preview of the commission's draft work program for 2026, and staff provided a combined Community Development monthly report for November and December 2025.
Planning Manager Kate Turtello reviewed 2025 items the commission completed, including implementing multiple state mandates and a citywide rezone, and detailed projects expected in 2026: phase 2 of Unified Development Regulation updates, critical areas regulation amendments, potential multifamily tax exemption program work, and additional code adjustments to support downtown and the US‑2 corridor. Turtello noted resource constraints that delayed a full downtown master plan update and said staff may pursue targeted code amendments instead.
Hannah from Community Development presented the combined monthly report and project highlights: the Garibaldi plat (90 lots) has received all building permits and is the largest plat recorded since 2014; projects currently in review include Tremblay Heights (49 lots), Park Place Townhomes (55 units), Kaizen Flats (75 units), and a new maintenance building in the industrial district. Hannah also reported building‑inspection staffing has returned to five‑day coverage.
Commissioners and a downtown business owner raised concerns about downtown vitality and homelessness. Commissioner Walsh said business owners feel "pushed back and ignored" and described vacant storefronts and more people experiencing homelessness downtown, urging more city attention. Commissioners suggested flagging major pending items (for example, multifamily tax incentives) for their potential downtown impacts and noted funding and staffing constraints that affect the timing of the downtown master plan.
