Ferndale introduces new planning commissioners and schedules zoning workshop amid pending moratoria

At the close of the discussion on a downtown development concept, the commission introduced new and returning planning commissioners and reviewed next steps on zoning work.

Several planning commission appointees gave brief introductions and backgrounds: Mark Michalski identified himself as mayor pro tem and as a long‑time resident; others described experience in architecture, accessibility, civil engineering and planning. The introductions were followed by a staff update on zoning work that staff and consultants have been preparing.

A city planner told the commission that consultants completed an in‑depth zoning analysis and recommended an internal legal review before staff returns with a public workshop to solicit planning commission and public input. Topics flagged for discussion include possible regulations related to immigration detention facilities and data centers. Staff noted that one moratorium ends in September and another in October and that extensions may be considered if work is still in progress.

Staff also summarized several active project statuses — from mixed‑use infill to brownfield submissions — and offered to circulate a PowerPoint and updates to commissioners. The commission directed staff to schedule the workshop in the near term and asked that the zoning and moratorium timelines be made clear to the public.