Enumclaw holds public hearings on airport and commercial zoning amendments

The Enumclaw City Council opened public hearings on two proposed zoning amendments during its May 26 meeting.

Winston Larson, the city’s senior planner, told the council that Ordinance 2837 would “reduce the minimum side yard setbacks in the airport zoning district from 20 feet to 10 feet” and would adjust height limits where the airport abuts residential districts to allow structures up to 18 feet to match accessory-structure heights. Larson said the amendments implement parts of the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan and that the planning commission voted on April 23 to recommend approval.

For Ordinance 2838, Larson said the proposal would expand allowed uses in commercial and light-industrial districts to include arts and vocational schools, gyms and fitness centers, health studios, and animal-care services. The ordinance would add definitions and standards for animal shelters, daycare and boarding — including inside-pen standards, setbacks from residences and waste-disposal requirements — to address compatibility with neighboring residential areas.

No public speakers addressed either ordinance during the hearings. After hearing staff recommendations and brief council clarification, both public hearings were closed and the ordinances were set for first reading. Councilmembers were told options include adopting as presented, rejecting for further staff work, or modifying and adopting as amended.

The hearings mark the first formal step in the council’s consideration; no final votes on either ordinance were taken at the meeting. The council packet included staff findings and a planning-commission report, which staff said explain how each amendment is consistent with applicable comprehensive-plan policies.