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Planning Commission recommends 2025 zoning code updates, including EV‑charger and pole‑height changes
Summary
City planning staff outlined a broad set of 2025 zoning ordinance revisions — contractor registration, dewatering exempted from noise rules, manufactured‑home setback clarifications, new language for EV chargers, a ban on outdoor cannabis cultivation, and allowances for taller pole lighting in large parking areas — and the commission voted to forward the changes to City Council.
The City of Blaine Planning Commission on Nov. 12 recommended that the City Council consider a package of annual zoning code updates for 2025 that city planners say clarify existing rules and respond to council and public feedback.
Planner Alex reviewed the major proposed revisions: an expanded list of work requiring city contractor license or registration (registration without fee but with insurance verification); clarified definitions and soil verification standards for in‑ground pools; a proposed exemption from the noise ordinance for dewatering activities (treated as a required construction safety process); clarification to ease replacement of manufactured homes that may no longer meet a 20‑foot setback standard for older lots; new language to permit accessory electric vehicle charging stations in every zoning district while treating stand‑alone charging stations as gas‑station‑style uses requiring different standards; and a prohibition on outdoor cannabis cultivation while allowing indoor cultivation. Alex also discussed proposed changes to permitted materials and screening for outside storage in industrial districts, new sign definitions, and a staff recommendation to limit to 20% the share of overstory trees of a single genus on new development sites.
On lighting, staff proposed permitting pole heights up to 50 feet for commercial, industrial, or institutional parking areas that exceed 120 stalls or that are part of developed areas larger than 2.5 acres, and for sports complexes over 2.5 acres. Staff recommended approval and said no public comments had been received on the draft.
A commissioner moved to recommend approval of the zoning code revisions and the commission approved the motion by voice vote; staff will forward the ordinance language to the City Council for first reading on Dec. 1 and second reading on Dec. 15.
