Pullman planning commission recommends rezoning College Hill lot to C1‑Limited (retail) and urges Monroe Street sidewalk at redevelopment

The Pullman Planning Commission unanimously voted June 24 to forward a recommendation to the City Council to rezone a roughly 15,980‑square‑foot parcel on College Hill (near the northeast corner of Northeast California and Northeast Monroe streets) from R4 (high‑density multifamily residential) to C1 (neighborhood commercial) — with a limitation that the property be restricted to retail establishments only.

The request, submitted by applicant W. Ji Wu, included a proposed change to the comprehensive plan land use map from high‑density residential to commercial. Planning staff told the commission that affected departments — including fire, protective inspections, and public works — raised no objections and that the file includes two public comments: a June 17, 2026 letter from the College Hill Association and a June 23, 2026 comment from a speaker identified as Teemo.

At the public hearing, Allison Montro, speaking on behalf of the College Hill Association, said the neighborhood would “conditionally support” a market but urged the city to account for the site’s historic and residential context if the property were rezoned, expressing concern about signage, hours and potential vehicle traffic. "We would want the city to recognize the unique context and the space that it's in," Montro said. Planning staff explained that rezoning to C1 permits a broad set of uses (retail, eating establishments, medical offices, libraries, etc.) unless the commission attaches a limitation; staff confirmed the commission can forward a recommendation for a limited C1 (C1‑L) that only allows specified uses.

Commissioners debated whether to limit the zone to retail‑only (which would permit grocery or convenience stores but preclude medical offices and marijuana retail). The applicant confirmed that limiting the property to retail establishments was acceptable. Chair and commissioners cited neighborhood testimony and traffic concerns as justifications for the limitation; one commissioner summarized: "If we change this zone to C1, in the future any business allowed in C1 could go into this establishment — so we need justification to limit it."

The commission adopted staff’s findings of fact and conclusions, added two additional findings — one noting the College Hill Association’s request that the city require sidewalk improvements along the Monroe Street frontage as part of redevelopment and another concluding the property is suitable only for retail establishments among uses allowed in C1 — and moved to forward the revised decision to City Council with a recommendation for approval. The motion was seconded and adopted in a roll‑call vote of the four commissioners present.

Staff advised that sidewalk construction would normally be reviewed and required, if appropriate, during future site plan review and tenant improvement triggers administered by Public Works; commissioners nonetheless included the sidewalk recommendation as a finding and a conclusion to highlight pedestrian‑safety concerns. The matter will next be considered by the Pullman City Council, which may accept, modify, or reject the commission’s recommendation.

Reported next steps: staff will forward Resolution PC 2026‑05 (zone change REZ26‑00001 with the retail‑only limitation) and Resolution PC 2026‑04 (comprehensive plan land use map amendment) to City Council for a public hearing and final decision.