Planning staff: Commerce flagged outdated housing counts; possible rezones and January hearing planned

Planning staff told the Coupeville Planning Commission that state Commerce returned comments on the periodic comprehensive-plan update and asked the town to correct its housing-unit inventory and consider rezonings to meet allocation targets. "We need to look at our, outdated housing units numbers a little bit more closely and potentially rezone a couple of properties so that we can meet," Planning staff (S2) said, summarizing Commerce's comments.

Staff said Commerce also referenced state code changes that "require emergency shelters and permits for housing to be allowed in all all, zoning districts," and that the town will need to amend local code to align with those requirements. Planning staff said the department must identify sites that meet the allocation, citing a need to find units "within a 120 AMI below," and is aiming to bring a public hearing to the commission in January (tentatively Jan. 6) to present allocation numbers and proposed text amendments.

Commissioners asked for the Commerce letter and staff agreed to email and distribute a printed copy to commissioners and panelists. "I can just I I printed off a copy for you... I would email it to you," Planning staff (S2) said. The commission did not take a formal vote on amendments at the meeting; staff said further work will continue before the hearing.

Next steps: staff will circulate Commerce’s letter, refine housing allocation figures, and return to the commission for the public hearing and any code amendments needed to implement Commerce’s recommendations.