Sequim council extends moratorium on master‑plan overlay applications for six months

The Sequim City Council voted unanimously June 22 to adopt an ordinance extending the city’s emergency moratorium on accepting, processing and approving master‑plan overlay applications for an additional six months.

City planning staff presented the extension as a procedural pause designed to give the Department of Community and Economic Development time to finish the 2025 comprehensive plan update, complete environmental review, release draft documents for public comment and hold necessary hearings. Carla Boutton, director of community and economic development, told the council the extension would run from July 26, 2026, to Jan. 26, 2027, and could be ended earlier if the plan and regulations are completed sooner.

“This extension allows staff sufficient time to evaluate and update the comprehensive plan and development regulations without introducing new master plan overlay applications that could be inconsistent with the policy and regulatory framework under review,” Boutton said.

No members of the public had registered to speak at the hearing. Councilors said the updated work plan and timeline were helpful. After discussion, Mayor Rachel Anderson moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all six members present voting yes.

The ordinance continues the pause on new master‑plan overlay applications while staff completes the tasks identified in the ordinance’s findings and work plan. The council packet identifies the original emergency ordinance (2025‑013) and an earlier extension (2026‑1) as background. The council did not set a new public hearing date; staff said they will terminate the moratorium earlier if the comprehensive plan and development regulations are adopted before the new expiration date.