HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCD 2025-10-13 Item 1B - Discussion - Miscellaneous Code AmendmentsCity of Tukwila
Thomas McLeod, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Community Development Committee
FROM: Nora Gierloff, AICP, DCD Director
BY: Neil Tabor, AICP, Senior Planner
CC: Mayor Thomas McLeod
DATE: October 7, 2025
SUBJECT: Miscellaneous Code Amendment Package
ISSUE
Staff have identified numerous potential small amendments to the municipal code that would
provide greater clarity and useability, while better aligning with City goals. Staff is requesting the
Planning and Community Development (PCD) committee approve staff moving forward with
developing the code amendments and returning at a later PCD meeting with developed
ordinances. In addition, staff is requesting PCD guidance on the desired review process for
completion of the Critical Areas Ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The municipal code has seen significant updates in the last few years, both as responses to
state mandates and opportunities to improve the code to better align with City goals and
priorities. In these recent updates, unforeseen impacts or consistency gaps emerged in
application of the code. While many of these changes are as simple as updating the name of a
zoning district, staff would also like to take this opportunity to address other items which have
caused confusion or have not produced the intended result.
The Council may recall that following the adoption of the City's Comprehensive Plan in 2024,
the Growth Management Act requires that the City's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) be
updated, statutorily by December 31, 2025. Due to delays in securing grant funding from the
Washington State Departments of Commerce and Ecology, meeting that original schedule is not
feasible. While the City will be out of compliance with GMA's requirement, the most feasible
timeline within which to complete the CAO update is before June 30, 2026, concurrent with the
grant funding deadline. A consultant team has been identified to complete the work.
DISCUSSION
If approved, proposed code amendments will be provided in draft ordinance format at a later
PCD meeting. Topic areas for code amendments can be grouped in the following general
categories:
• Consistency corrections:
o This includes updates to remove or update zoning district references which were
changed as part of the middle housing update.
■ Example: Replace reference to Medium Density Residential (MDR)
zoning district, replaced by Community Residential (CR) zoning district.
■ Example: Remove figure related to previously struck chapter.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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• Clarifications:
o These updates include text or figure amendments to more directly illustrate the
existing standard and its application.
• Example: Amending language in the subdivision code requiring uniform
rectangular lot shapes in the creation of new parcels.
• Example: Listing separate types of variances as separate permit types in
the permit table.
• Minor substantive updates:
o These updates include limited changes to create clear regulations for specific
development scenarios, or updates to development standards to keep pace with
recent trends.
• Example: Adding code language for temporary wireless communication
facilities (cell towers) in instances when a site is redeveloped.
• Example: Update tree removal standards for single-family and middle
housing properties to no longer permit tree removals without any
replacement plantings in instances of limited tree removals.
Critical Areas Ordinance Update
While much of the CAO update content is mandated by state law, it is still necessary that the
draft Ordinance be reviewed by the City. To manage this review efficiently and to meet the June
30, 2026, grant deadline, Staff recommends that the City Council serve as the review body for
the draft, rather than the Planning Commission. This would likely require two to three work
sessions with the Council, a public hearing, and adoption of the Ordinance.
An alternative would be to conduct the review at the Planning Commission, however, given their
monthly schedule, work program of other planning projects and code changes needed, and the
need ultimately for Council adoption, Planning Commission review of the CAO draft does not
seem as efficient at completing the update by the required deadline.
Staff is requesting that the PCD approve the Council serving as the review body for the Critical
Areas Ordinance update.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking PCD's approval to develop a code amendment package with the outlined
changes. Staff is requesting that as these are primarily housekeeping rather than policy issues
review of the proposed code amendment be considered at the Council level rather than
delegating the topic to the Planning Commission for a recommendation. If granted, staff would
return to a later PCD meeting with developed draft ordinances.
Similarly, in order to ensure completion of the CAO update as soon as possible and concurrent
with the end of the grant funding supporting the work, Staff is requesting PCD's approval for the
Council to consider the CAO update and conduct the associated public hearing and adoption.
ATTACHMENTS
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https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/DCD/10.13.25 Misc Code Amendments/Misc_CodeAmendments_InfoMemo_10-
13-25PCD.docx
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