Council removes building‑height review from work plan and approves up to $25,000 for Title 15 consultant

Director of Planning Chris Besany presented the 2026 Planning Commission and Community Development work plan and identified several items: battery energy storage system rules (a moratorium is in place), co‑living regulations required by House Bill 1998, consolidated permit process changes required by House Bill 5290, a publicly initiated airport setback request for the Enumclaw Airport, probable solar‑array code work and regular annual items such as the six‑year transportation improvement plan and school district capital facilities plan.

Council committee members proposed not reopening the prior year’s building‑height discussion for the R‑4 and HCB zones and moved to remove that topic from the work plan. Council member McClure explained the committee’s reasoning — the topic had been debated extensively and the committee preferred to leave the previously adopted positions in place. The council approved the amendment by voice vote.

Following passage, the council approved the work plan as amended and then authorized administration to spend up to $25,000 to hire an outside contractor or consultant to prepare required Title 15 amendments to comply with state law. “We’re anticipating an outside contractor/consultant for, hopefully, around 15,000 not to exceed 25,000,” Council member McClure said during committee remarks. The motion to authorize the expenditure passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the work plan items as amended and engage a consultant to draft Title 15 amendments; staff will return with required ordinance language and findings as the items advance through the Planning Commission and council.