Council opens hearings and gives first reading to two zoning code amendments affecting airport setbacks and commercial uses

The Enumclaw City Council opened public hearings May 26 and heard staff reports and planning commission recommendations on two proposed municipal-code amendments.

Senior planner Winston Larson summarized ordinance 28‑37, which would reduce minimum side-yard setbacks in the airport zoning district from 20 feet to 10 feet and add a footnote permitting structures up to 18 feet in height where the airport district abuts residential property. Larson said the measure implements parts of the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan and that the planning commission recommended approval after its April 23 public hearing.

Council also opened ordinance 28‑38, a package of amendments to permit a broader set of uses in commercial and light industrial districts — including arts and vocational schools, gyms and fitness centers, health studios — and to add definitions and standards for animal shelters, daycare and boarding. Larson described the draft rules for inside pens, setbacks from residential zones and waste disposal standards intended to ensure compatibility with adjacent neighborhoods. The planning commission also recommended approval of ordinance 28‑38.

Both public hearings were closed with no public testimony on the record; staff indicated readiness to answer council questions and recommended first reading of the ordinances. Council did not record any substantive changes in the hearing; further steps will follow the normal ordinance-adoption process.