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Tumwater commission schedules hearing on plan to allow 37-foot parking-lot light poles near I-5
Summary
The Planning Commission set a public hearing for July 14, 2026, on Ordinance O2026-016, which would raise allowable parking-lot pole height from 24 to 37 feet for large multi-building complexes adjacent to I-5. Staff emphasized that off-site illumination limits would not change; commissioners raised concerns about potential light scatter.
The City of Tumwater Planning Commission on June 23 scheduled a public hearing for July 14 on Ordinance O2026-016, a proposed amendment to off-street parking lighting rules that would allow parking-lot light poles up to 37 feet tall for large multi-tenant complexes adjacent to Interstate 5.
Community Development Director Brad Medrude told commissioners the draft edits change only the maximum pole height permitted in a narrowly defined circumstance (large multi-building complexes adjacent to I-5) and do not alter off-site illumination standards set elsewhere in the code. "That same standards will still apply to the site," Medrude said, explaining that applicants must still demonstrate that no more than one foot-candle leaves the site at the property edge and that shielding or layout changes are required where that limit would be exceeded.
Medrude said the taller-pole allowance derives from practices in other jurisdictions and is intended to reduce the number of poles and overall cost for large developments; he said there is not at present a specific development requesting 37-foot poles. He noted completion of SEPA steps: a Determination of Non-Significance was issued June 12 and the SEPA notice-of-intent process has notified state agencies; the SEPA appeal period was described as ending Aug. 3, which would affect council timing.
Several commissioners asked whether taller poles would increase light scatter and whether agencies such as WashDOT had raised safety concerns; Medrude said WashDOT and other agencies were notified through the SEPA process and that detailed lighting plans would still have to meet existing exterior illumination standards on a project-by-project basis.
The commission moved to schedule a public hearing; Commissioner Roundsley moved and Commissioner Kirkpatrick seconded the motion and the commission approved scheduling the hearing for July 14. If the commission holds a hearing and forwards a recommendation, the staff said the council’s general government committee would review the matter before full council consideration in August.
The July hearing will allow public testimony on the ordinance and on any project-level proposals that may seek to use the taller pole standard. Medrude said applicants will still be required to include lighting plans showing compliance with site-edge illumination limits and any necessary shielding.
