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Committee forwards parking‑lot lighting change to allow taller poles near I‑5
Summary
City staff proposed raising allowable parking‑lot light heights from 24 to 37 feet for large multi‑building or multi‑tenant complexes adjacent to I‑5; the planning commission recommended approval and the committee voted to forward the ordinance for council action (scheduled for August 18 consent, pending Commerce notice period).
The committee voted to forward a proposed amendment to Tumwater’s off‑street parking code that would raise the allowable height for parking‑lot lighting for certain large, multi‑building or multi‑tenant complexes adjacent to Interstate 5.
Brad explained the change would amend section 18.50.0060 to increase the maximum pole height from 24 feet to 37 feet for qualifying projects adjacent to I‑5. He emphasized the amendment would not change off‑site illumination limits or other lighting design standards found elsewhere in the code. "The ordinance would modify the requirements for parking lot lighting... to raise the allowable height for parking lot lights from 24 to 37 feet," Brad said.
Brad said the Planning Commission held a public hearing the night before, asked about the role of a variance process and ultimately recommended approval. Because the state Commerce 60‑day notice-of-intent period runs through August 3, staff recommended placing the ordinance on the August 18 City Council consent calendar rather than an earlier council meeting.
Committee members asked whether the code change was site‑specific; Brad said it responded to a specific concern raised by a developer but would apply to any development meeting the ordinance’s conditions. Following a motion and second, the committee voted to place the ordinance on the August 18 consent calendar with a recommendation to adopt.
