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Council removes building‑height review from 2026 planning work plan and authorizes up to $25,000 for Title 15 consultant
Summary
Council amended and adopted the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan to remove a proposed R4/HCB building‑height review, and authorized administration to hire outside consultants not to exceed $25,000 for Title 15 amendments to comply with state law. The work plan includes items ranging from co‑living regulations to solar arrays and sewer plan amendments.
The Uniontown City Council on March 9 amended and adopted the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan after a focused debate on whether to reopen a prior building‑height review for the R4 and HCB zoning districts.
Planning Director Chris Besany summarized the work plan docket, including carryover reviews of battery energy storage systems (subject to an existing moratorium), implementation of state‑required co‑living regulations (HB 1998), consolidated permit process changes required by HB 5290, and proposed zoning amendments related to solar array installations and side‑yard setbacks near the Enumclaw Airport.
Councilmember McClure said the CD committee reviewed the plan multiple times and recommended removing the R4 and HCB building‑height review so staff time could focus on higher‑priority items. "We have a lot of other things on Chris' plate that need to be taken care of," he said, and moved to amend the work plan to remove the building‑height topic. Councilmember Smith asked clarifying questions about previous height adjustments; McClure said the committee was not seeking to reopen the downtown core but to avoid re‑litigating a topic discussed last year.
After a voice vote the amendment passed. The council then approved the work plan as amended and moved to authorize administration to contract with an outside consultant for Title 15 amendments, not to exceed $25,000, to ensure compliance with state law. The motion and the associated contract authorization passed by unanimous voice vote.
Staff indicated they intend to return with the specific Title 15 amendment scope and a timeline; the council also agreed to monitor the planning commission’s subcommittee work on battery energy storage systems and other docket items.
The council’s actions preserve current priorities in the 2026 work plan while directing limited consultant funds toward state‑mandated code updates.
