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Council hears first of two public hearings on pre‑annexation zoning for 23‑acre Davis properties
Summary
City staff recommended R7 (single‑family, 7 units/acre) as pre‑annexation zoning for about 23 acres added to Monroe's urban growth area; staff noted R7 is the city's lowest density single‑family zone, SEPA issued a DNS, and council set tentative next hearing steps for May 19, 2026. Residents offered both support for small homes and calls for alternative zoning options.
City planner Amy Bright presented the city's staff report April 14 on pre‑annexation zoning for four parcels known as the Davis properties, approximately 23 acres recently added to Monroe's urban growth area.
Bright said the proposed pre‑annexation zoning designation is R7 (single‑family residential, seven units per acre). She emphasized that pre‑annexation zoning would only set the regulatory framework that would apply if and when annexation occurs; it does not approve annexation itself, a development plan, or construction. Bright noted a SEPA determination of non‑significance (DNS) was issued for the zoning action and that the planning commission recommended R7 after requesting a comparative analysis with R15.
Staff reviewed site constraints—an identified wetland, a potential stream to the north and a Williams pipeline easement that would be a no‑build area—and showed comparative density examples ranging from roughly 4.8 to 15 units per acre to illustrate how housing type and site design affect realized density. The presentation addressed utilities (staff said the city's water and sewer system plans show capacity through 2040 but that system development charges and project‑level engineering and off‑site work would be required) and transportation: the corridor currently operates at a level‑of‑service C (data from a 2022 study), and any future development would require an updated traffic impact analysis with mitigation as needed.
Staff noted potential school impacts and that development under R7 could generate up to an estimated 150 students based on standard student generation rates; school capacity planning and fees were described as separate responsibilities of the Monroe School District. Bright said the council's second hearing and ordinance first reading are tentatively scheduled for May 19, 2026, with a second reading and adoption proposed in June, followed by filing and certification.
Public testimony included both support and requests for alternative approaches: James Herrian (Community Human Services Advisory Board) supported the proposal and suggested community‑land‑trust options and smaller homes; Kristen Nihus (Chain Lake resident) urged council to consider mixed‑use or cottage‑housing alternatives rather than repeating past high‑density patterns along Chain Lake Road. The public hearing was then closed.
