Council hears staff reports on two zoning amendments and approves fee schedule resolution

The Enumclaw City Council opened public hearings on two zoning ordinance amendments and approved a city fee-schedule resolution at its May 26 meeting.

Ordinance 28-37: Winston Larson, the city’s senior planner, told council the ordinance would reduce minimum side-yard setbacks in the airport zoning district from 20 feet to 10 feet and amend a footnote to allow building heights up to 18 feet where the airport zoning district abuts residential districts. Larson said the amendments aim to make development standards more consistent with aviation operations and were recommended by the planning commission following review this spring.

Ordinance 28-38: Larson also summarized proposed changes to allow arts and vocational schools, gyms and fitness centers, health studios and expanded animal-care uses in specified commercial and light industrial zones. The measure adds definitions and establishes compatibility standards for animal shelters, daycare and boarding—requirements for inside pens, setbacks from residential zoning and waste-disposal standards.

Resolution 1879 — fee schedule: Parks and Recreation Director Alina Hibbs presented two fee proposals: a new two-day-a-week swim-team option intended as a lower-cost alternative to the existing three-day EELS program and several cemetery fee adjustments tied to availability and maintenance costs. "Our 3 day a week program is $276 for 3 days a week. We're recommending a 2 day a week option," Hibbs said. City staff also presented a separate, CPI-based 3.1% school-impact fee adjustment the city implemented on April 1 to align permits with previously approved CPI methodology.

Votes and next steps: Both zoning items had been reviewed by the planning commission, which recommended approval; council opened and closed the hearings after no public testimony. Resolution 1879 passed by voice vote. For the zoning ordinances council was presented with options to adopt, reject or modify the measures; staff recommended closing testimony, giving first reading and forwarding questions to staff as needed.

What to expect: The ordinances will proceed through the council process (first reading was given for staff to return with any modifications as needed). Administration will follow up on fees implementation and future capital-facilities discussions with the school district as noted in council exchange about a school impact-fee review.

Sources: Staff reports and on-the-record presentations by Winston Larson and Alina Hibbs at the May 26 Enumclaw City Council meeting.