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Council holds first readings on two zoning amendments for airport district and commercial uses
Summary
At the May 26 meeting the Enumclaw City Council opened public hearings and gave first readings to Ordinances 28-37 (airport zoning setback and height adjustments) and 28-38 (expanded permitted uses and animal care facility standards). Planning Commission recommended approval and no members of the public spoke at either hearing.
The Enumclaw City Council opened two public hearings and gave first readings to Ordinance 28-37 (airport zoning district amendments) and Ordinance 28-38 (expanded commercial uses and new animal care standards).
Senior planner Winston Larson presented both staff reports. For Ordinance 28-37 staff proposed reducing minimum side-yard setbacks in the airport zoning district from 20 feet to 10 feet and adjusting a footnote to allow a maximum structure height of 18 feet where an airport zoning district abuts a residential district; staff said the change would make accessory-structure standards consistent across zones. For Ordinance 28-38 staff proposed permitting a broader set of uses (arts and vocational schools, gyms/fitness centers, health studios) in certain commercial and light-industrial districts and adding definitions and operational standards for animal shelters, daycare and boarding (including inside pen/kennel requirements, setbacks from residential property, and waste-disposal rules) to address compatibility concerns with neighboring residential areas.
Larson said the planning commission reviewed both amendments and, at a prior public hearing (April 23, 2026), recommended the council approve the proposed changes. Staff provided findings of consistency with the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan and offered three council options: adopt as presented, reject and continue review, or modify and adopt as amended. Council opened each hearing, asked for public input and, after no members of the public spoke, closed both hearings and proceeded with first readings consistent with the staff recommendation.
Why it matters: The airport-district changes would alter permitted development dimensions near Enumclaw Airport, potentially affecting how aviation-related structures and accessory buildings are sited relative to residential properties. The second ordinance would broaden allowable business types in commercial and light-industrial zones and establish operational standards intended to reduce land-use conflicts with neighbors.
Next steps: Both ordinances were given first reading; council may consider amendments or adopt at a subsequent meeting following required public-notice procedures.
