Committee puts comprehensive-plan amendments, zoning map and housing at top of planning work list

Director Davis asked the Community Development Committee to identify priorities for the Planning Commission’s work plan. Committee members and the mayor agreed the top priorities are comprehensive plan amendments—particularly housing and land-use elements—and a zoning map update to meet a conditional certification from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). The committee also prioritized affordable and workforce housing, an annexation/UGA strategy and education for the volunteer planning commissioners.

Council member Johnson said he wants education for commissioners about what the city is required to do versus optional approaches and called for forward-looking mixed-use zoning rather than monolithic single-use zones. "I think that the comprehensive plan amendments are kind of the big ticket item that's gonna be very time consuming," he said, and urged prioritizing housing policy and educational presentations.

The mayor told the committee an RFP for consultant help on the comprehensive plan amendment and zoning map update is ready; PSRC has agreed to provide two presentations: one on general tools available to cities for pursuing housing and one focused on what has been assigned to Snoqualmie. The administration said it will bring the RFP and schedule PSRC presentations in the near term and asked the committee to help prioritize as staff capacity increases.

The committee asked that the planning commission be given substantive work that respects volunteers’ time, and members suggested joint meetings with housing experts to inform deliberations. No formal votes were taken; the administration said it will return with the RFP, schedule PSRC presentations and report back as hires create more staff bandwidth.