Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

We're ready to go when you are, Mr. Chair. Yes. There you go.

All right. Welcome everyone to our uh new year 2026 and uh the planning commission meeting for January 7th, 2026. We'll go ahead and call this meeting to order. And uh to get started, we'd like to do the well, let's do roll call and then then we'll get into the pledge of allegiance. Lynn Larson, Marquair here, Jim Merritt here, Christian Flores here. Sharon Wallace and Robert Estrada are excused at this time. Philip Combmes present.

You have quorum. Thank you very much. All right. Do we uh do we need to do the new business before the pledge of allegiance or is that a um yes because we need an official chair. So we'll take it we'll take it out of our I like it. Well, first off uh we got pledge of allegiance that we'll do it right after the new business. And then um be before we talk about that, can we have introductions real quick from our new commission member uh Commissioner uh Flores and Merritt? Would that be all right? Just take a minute or two to tell us who you are and a little bit about yourself. Absolutely.

Uh my name is Christian. I live in the beautiful city of Lakewood. Uh my wife, my two daughters, and my business is also in this same city. Um some of my investments, my rental properties are here, and I love the city. It's it's a beautiful place. Um I don't have any plans on moving out. I believe this is the most beautiful city in Washington state. So, I want to stay here and uh it's an honor for me to be up here so I can u work for the next couple years serving the city of Lakewood to continue being a beautiful city to live.

Thank you very much, Jim. Good evening. Uh my name is Jim Merritt. I'm a local architect and planner. I've had a a nice run of uh some very wonderful projects and a good team to working with over the years and uh I'm just very pleased to be a part of the Lakewood Planning Commission to help be a good steward to how things move in the future. Thank you.

Thank you. Um all right, our new business and thank you for putting this up on the screen. Um I as you can see uh how it works. We do need a new uh chair and vice chair. Uh we don't we don't have to have one, but um I think it's good to have a new one. And um if there's anyone who has interest in being it, you can vocalize that. Um or we can um go ahead and begin not nominating people. But um I'm I'm willing to do it, but I would actually prefer seeing someone new come in. And so I was uh open that um I'd like to nominate Mark her to um be the chair and um Lynn Larson as vice chair. They've been on for uh at least a year and some more. And so it gives you a little exposure so you're familiar with the process. And um so that would be that would be my my suggestion or nomination, but the floor is open for any other nominations.

Yeah. And and just to clarify, you are able to nominate yourself. And if for some reason you wanted to nominate anybody who's not here tonight, you can do that as well, the other two members. Uh and let's see if there's anything else I wanted to say. Oh, you don't you don't need a second. So, if there's anyone else to nominate themselves or someone else, feel free. Yeah. No. No.

Well, um I wouldn't dare nominate someone who's not here. I think that that would uh that would be something I wouldn't like. So, I wouldn't do it to them. But, uh so I'll stick with I'll stick with my nomination. Any um let's see here motions for nominations. Yeah, we I would just recommend that you would do the two motions separately. One for chair and one for vice chair. That sounds great. Do I have a motion? Any motions for uh supporting Mark her as the new chair for 2026? All those in favor? All those in favor? I.

Any opposed? Thank you. Um I you know why don't you make the motion to approve Mr. Lynn Larson as vice chair for 2026 planning commission. Second. Yeah. Well, we don't need a second so we can I'll just go all in favor. I and uh any opposed? It's unanimous on both and it's official. Um would you like to finish a meeting right now or Yeah, if you wouldn't mind. I mean right now handing the gavl over and uh take your name cards if you would as well. Thank you. Yeah.

And thank you Mr. Combmes for your service last year. You need a water. That's okay.

All right. Thank you all. Um, Mr. Larson, congratulations. Anybody else? Thank you for your trust, faith, and confidence to move us forward through the 2026 agenda. That being said, next order of business, the pledge of allegiance. If you're here in the audience and you feel so compelled, please stand up and join us. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right. Thank you. I trust everybody had an opportunity to review the minutes from our last meeting on December the 3rd, 2025. Uh there any discussion or items of update? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes. So move a second. And a second. It's been appropriately motioned and seconded to approve the minutes from December 3rd, 2025. Are there any updates uh to tonight's agenda? Uh just need to take a final vote on that. Approval to the minutes. Apologies. U final vote for approval of the minutes. uh indicate uh by saying I I

I any opposed? No. Motion or the minutes are approved. No updates other than that? No, Mr. Chair.

Perfect. We do have public comment as always. We do have uh here in the room one person signed up for in-person public comment. will remind you that uh any person may speak on any subject but uh it will not be considered testimony for public hearing if you speak during the this public comment period. Mr. Burns, you have signed up to speak during public comment. Just want to confirm that uh that is your intent public comment and not the public hearing. No. Uh just that this portion of tonight's meeting is just the broad public comment. We will also have a public hearing on the engineering services manual update following this public comment session. Wonderful. Right now would be your opportunity to address.

Yeah. Like three years ago and Lakewood's a wonderful place. And uh would you would you mind starting over with the microphone so we can hear? Yeah, normally this thing.

Oh, now it moves a little. This is good. [laughter] I've had to bend over before. So, let me start. Um moved here three years ago. uh live close to Stilicum Lake within a few blocks and uh it I found the water of Stilicum Lake just a wonderful thing to enjoy. I'd walk down to the end of the street end that's public access and and just watch the ducks go by and the boats and whatnot. So, it was came as quite a surprise when I saw a public notice uh back in the middle of 2024 that the property was up to be vacated. I didn't even know what a vacation was, but essentially what I found out was that it was up for sale um to the adjoining property owners. And uh I didn't particularly want to lose that, you know, getting a little greedy. But then I thought, well, the adjoining property owners have quite a bit of room themselves, so maybe I'm not the real greedy one, right? But anyway, so I dug into it a little bit and and what I found was that uh it was kind of interesting was one of the property owners had a significant chunk of real estate behind their fence and underneath and around their garage and part of their house that was actually encroaching on the public rideway. um which was really surprising. So, um I drew [clears throat] a little map out or a little I got the hold of the uh survey and [clears throat] I kind of just ground it out and I'd like to just run by real close and kind of show you the scope of what we're looking at.

Please, it's really not how the the process works. If you could please give it to the clerk. Well, I'll just I'll hold it up and show.

Great. Thank you. Okay. So from that distance and uh you can see in the orange the orange is is the amount of public property on this side. This is the public rideway which is the end of the street and there's a significant chunk of it that's being encroached on by the southern neighbor and it's not it's it's almost half of this public rideway. So I mean what does that mean? it. Well, basically it means that someone's had access to public property behind a fence and underneath a garage and in a little bit of chunk of their house, right, for some years. Um maybe on the order of, you know, since 1950s. So, um but their most [clears throat] recent owner only had it for eight years. So, anyway, but you know, um what does that mean? I guess it it means that that uh public property has probably been taken advantage of and the city needs to fess up because they've allowed these sorts of things to happen over time and they haven't addressed those. There are sections of the code that specifically address those problems. people can be cited by the engineer and and steps can be taken to either lease the property that they're occupying or make some other kind of arrangement. Um and that the city hasn't done that and these new procedures and I will get specific when the time is right. I don't it's really kind of out of the scope today I think but the new procedures water down that whole process. Okay. in particular.

Excuse me, Mr. Chair. We are past three. Burns. I appreciate your comments and unfortunately we are limited to three minutes for public comment. Yeah. And that's not a lot of time and that's that's okay. But I think I made my point is that uh you know these new procedures are not kind for for enforcing encroachments. They're a step backward. Thank you for your comment, sir. Anybody else in the room would like to make public comment this evening? Please make yourself known now. Approach the podium. Seeing none, Miss Spear, is there anybody online who would like to make public comment?

There is one person online with their hand up. I'll uh allow them to speak. Uh Mr. Bob E. Do you like to make comment during public comment? This is uh Robert Estrada and uh I attempted to come on earlier, but I'm sorry I couldn't. Just a moment, sir. We're having trouble hearing you. One moment. Can you try again? This is Robert Estrada. Oh, Bob Estrada. I'm sorry. [laughter] Mr. Estrada,

I attempted to come on earlier and to vote. Well, first of all, to greet our our new members and to vote, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to unmute. But I am also in favor of u of the two nominees and I congratulate them both and I also congratulate the two new commissioners. I'm looking forward to meeting you both when I when I come back and that is my comment. Thank you. Thank you. And that's my my fault, Mr. Strider, for not recognizing you as an attendee. My apologies.

And um Mr. chair. That's the only one that was online, so I'm not aware of anyone else for public comment. All right. Thank you. Uh that being said, we'll declare this uh public comment session closed. Public hearing for Lakewood Municipal Code Title 12 Public Works and Lakewood Engineering Services Manual Update. Uh for this portion um we will turn to Miss Silva who is the assistant director for the planning and public works department will be providing a preview before the hearing actually occurs. Outstanding Miss Silva. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the planning commission as well as public. Uh this is a followup from this body's October 5th and December 3rd study sessions on this project update. Um as mentioned earlier, tonight is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the draft proposal. So as a refresher and those new to the commission, the intent of this project is to a comprehensive modernization of our civil engineering development requirements for public as well as private projects. The update has a few primary goals focused on clarity, consistency, as well as alignment with state and regional standards. Next slide, please. So, we kicked this project update uh last spring of last year. Um we again we're tonight is the public hearing um tentively scheduled before this body at your January 21st meeting. We are looking to deliberate have a discussion and issue hopefully get to a recommendation to city council on the proposal. As we enter into February, the city council will be reviewing the planning commission's recommendations as well as the draft uh proposal and then holding a public hearing um in that month as well with the goal of final adoption and implementation uh spring of this year. Next slide, please. So, kind of just a refresher of the documents before you. Again, these are 300 and something odd on pages, so I hope you did not read this before you tried to sleep. Uh, but we have uh title 12, which is our public works code. It includes streets and traffic management, storm water management, use of uh the public rightway, as well as site development and rightaway permit requirements. Title 13 is our public utilities. It includes garbage collection but also proposals to relocate our sewer um provisions in that title as well. In regards to title 18A

known as our land use and development code, this is the central location for a lot of our permit procedures and timelines. And that has also been proposed for update for internal consistency. And last but not least, our engineering standards manual or ESM for short. That includes a lot of our energ specific design criteria uh physical dimensions, minimum requirements, but also standard drawings. Next slide, please. So, again, going back to one of the the goals of this update is compliance and consistency review. Some of the major updates in title 12 um compare state and county storm water uh requirements in line with other building and fire code standards. So, making sure we are consistent with other development standards. um ensure right away right of entry language is consistent with current procedures but also law and as well as align with our permit and application procedures. Title 13 again we incorporated references to Pierce County sewer code as they are our sewer sewer provider within the city. We clarified current language on mandatory connection requirements but also availability charges when they apply and don't apply. On the title 18 again that land use those development permit procedures. We clarified the uh application types related to engineering but also ensured um title 12 permit and review types were consistent with other titles amendments as well. on the ESM. Again, that's your kind of design focus. Um, removed outdated technical references, added new current references, um, removed policies not found in code, but also updated to ensure consistency with current ecology storm water manual and permit requirements.

Diving a little bit deeper in title 12 um storm water again includes a revised approach consistent with state standards on a three- tier review for storm water storm water drainage review. It also clarifies kind of simplified documentation for low impact projects and last but not least adds uh clarification and provisions for control runoff for from trash enclosures. on the site development side. Um provides additional uh clarification as it relates to driveways, gates, and emergency services access. Provides clarification on geotechnical analysis requirements that may be triggered based on soil types, for example, but also ensures consistency with existing and adopted flood plane regulations found in other titles in our code. On the topic of rightaway use, it clarifies you uh rightaway permit requirements and responsibilities. It also streamlines event and oversight load permits and trenchless road crossings crossings as it relates to uh broadband utilities traffic impacts and incorporates our adopted level of service found in our comprehensive transportation element. It incorporates current uh policy and as part of our planned action EIS and the downtown transportation mitigation fee to ensure transparency when that is required and what it is not. In addition to that, there is also clarifying language when a traffic study is triggered versus when it's not triggered and what level of information is required uh based on the proposed number of trips, vehicular trips, but also other uh trips as well. Um in that as well, next slide. Title 13. Again, this is the utilities chapter here at City of Lakewood. It clarifies that existing mandatory

connection language already in code today. So clarifying the expectations but also within the 10 years after public sewer has been made available in a particular neighborhood. And last but not least that availability charge that applies after 90 days of that notice. It also clarifies immediate connection. So if a septic fails and a property uh property sales or higher intensity use or new construction comes in, clarifies when that immediate connection must occur. And again existing language owner has exist has 90 days to act and may be deferred up to three years. This title also references current county code and any subsequent updates on the appropriate treatment billings and etc as it relates to sewer service within the city boundaries and also sewer availability when immediately abuing a property. On the availability charge, it clarifies when properties do not need to connect. Again, begins that 90 days after notice and the multi-unit discounts that is still available. Next slide. On the engineering standards uh component on storm water, again aligning with current aology uh requirements. We this is current practice here at the city today. Do we want to make sure not only our code but our design manual references current requirements in addition to it consolidates requirements into a single modernized chapter on site development removes outdated design specifications and requirements from the code. Provides unified technical standards for grading access and construction practices on rightway use. It again adds detailed standards for a number of different activities, but also supports kind of a new classification uh tiering process to

clarify when a rideway permit is necessary in the duration of that permit. And again on those traffic impacts identifies similar to title 12 when a traffic study is required and when it is not and as well as aligning to those level of service standards found currently in the comm plan today. Next slide. There are also some housekeeping um amendments proposed. So in title 12 we added 123rd street as part of the minor arterial inventory. We included code references found in other uh LMC titles, updated references, and kind of renamed some things. In title 13, we added some definitions. What is a building sewer? What's side sewer stub, for example? But also cross referenced our code enforcement provisions found in other titles. When it comes to title 18, again, those permit and application procedures, clarifying the type for engineering varants, renames minor versus major to revision. And on the ESM, that engineering standard manual, again, outdated, removing outdated references, adding new references, and removing policies not found in code. Next slide, please. In addition to substantive housekeeping, there's also structural reorganization. So you'll see a lot of things moving around even though it's not new. So kind of the old code, technical standards, and policies were sprinkled between the code as well as the design manual. So it was very confusing to where I needed to go for certain information as a customer, but also staff as well as the public. We also included clarification on chapters and sections. So the rideaway and tra trans transportation policies added as new chapters or sections rather than incorporated into

existing code. We removed outdated and legacy technical details so they haven't been used for 15 20 years. We also updated technical standards required formal code or amendments. So for example, if we reference the Pierce County sewer manual or we added or as amended so we don't have to consistently come and update that code to reflect current standards. The new structure title 12 is the policy framework meaning highle reg regulatory provisions policies and authorities and definitions. In addition to that the design manual is the technical design and construction standards. So you get in the nitty-gritty of providing all those engineering requirements, organization and unified structure. So clear and uh organized supporting better navigation, predictable review, but also those updating those uh standards and then faster as well as more flexible updates we've mentioned previously. Next slide please. So overall benefits, new ESM implements LMC policies. So it provides the technical criteria needed to apply the city's regulatory framework for development review. Provides clear approval authorities. What is within the authority of the city engineer? What is the authority within the planning and public works director and who approves what? In addition to that, when it comes to sewer, it it's very clear the city does not approve sewer. You need to go to the sewer provider Pierce County or even Lakewood Water District. if you need to go there versus the city of Lakewood. In addition to that, uh, additional outcomes include alignment with modern standards. So, it's not just about the ecology storm water standard today, but it's also washd standards and federal standards um, international fire code or

the international building code in and making sure we are consistent and not duplicating or confusing or contradictory. And last but not least, another benefit is to support faster review time. So those reorganizationals, updating our standards, make sure that our applicants, public and staff know exactly when to review those things in a consistent manner, but organize it in a manner that's logical to most practitioners. With that said, this was a highle uh overview. I know we spent a couple meetings, but I know we have a couple new members um here tonight. wanted to do a little overview of what the package is before you. Uh fully recognize this is a very technical document, but happy to answer any questions before we open uh for a public hearing.

Thank you, Miss Silva. Uh Mr. Larson. Thank you. That was a real clear presentation. I appreciate it. the um uh let's get the uh right away [clears throat] uh the the did we do anything in the updates to assure that the rights of way especially of the main arterials in Lakewood are uh maintained uh by the appropriate person whether it's the city or the property owner uh to uh make certain that our appearance of the city is uh is nice and pretty and enjoyable and that kind of thing was it's been problematic in the past and uh uh you know just and I didn't see it in the rightway uh amendments and changes. So uh would you mind addressing that?

Yeah, happy to. We already have existing code that defines kind of roadway maintenance for example it clearly and and it's also in the proposed reorg as well. We do not maintain private roadways. That is the responsibility of the homeowners association, for example. Um the responsibility of rightaway maintenance falls within the city of Lakewood. But there's also expectations if I'm a utility provider and I'm going to dig up the payment. What those conditions of approval are when you come to not only for a franchise agreement, but a rideway permit as well to get that roadway back to the standard uh the payment level that it was before. Um, in addition to that, there's also existing code language that was maintained about maintenance of the sidewalk up to the property line and how that falls upon uh the property owner to maintain those conditions on those sidewalks. With that said, if there's concerns about maintenance or need for pickup or street sweeping, I encourage anyone to go to my Lakewood 311 on our website or download the city's app to report those issues. So our operation and maintenance staff located in the parks department can then go out and report and see what's the appropriate next steps.

Do do we have any uh uh policy or procedure that has the city looking at the rights of way in order to m make sure that uh they are maintained in a in a safe and attractive manner. Yeah, I might look to our city engineer Weston as on our chip seal program, our street sweeping program. That was as much a yes or no. I answer questions, anything. Thank you.

Good evening. Westonaut, city engineer, city of Lakewood. So, that's kind of a large question. I'll start with something like street sweeping. We have and you can find the document on the city's website. uh depending on the classification of the road, the frequency that it gets swept. Uh city of Lakewood does not own a street sweeper, so we contract that service service and um we use Mcdana and Suns. They do a great job. Um other pieces of infrastructure, for instance, catch basins uh for the storm drainage, those are cleaned on a two-year cycle. So every other year or let me back up. Every two years, every catch basin will have been cleaned. So, we do half the city one year, the other half the next year. Uh let's see, chip seal. Angie had mentioned that's some of our maintenance of the roadway. We have an annual patching contract. Uh chip seal maintenance. Um that's an annual program as well as uh striping of the streets. uh that program has been reduced a little bit because we use a new product on a lot of our capital projects that will last 10 years. So that's why you see on some of our principal arterials that have been done uh recently that striping really stands out for a long period of time. So I hope I answered that question. If I didn't feel free to ask another

My question was was more oriented to the uh uh curb side uh from the curb to the to the sidewalk curb to the fence line of uh of the various properties that adjoin the arterials uh because sometimes they can go unckempt and uh and that is a detraction to the enjoyment of the city and that that's really where I was coming from. You guys are doing a great job on the roads. The roads in this town have have increased in their ability to have traffic and be enjoyable to drive on many many times is is really I've really enjoyed seeing it happen. Uh few people argue against as many roundabouts we've [laughter] installed on Washington Boulevard, but you know that's just getting used to uh the change. But uh my my question was mainly in the attractiveness of the uh of the rights of way uh as they go up to the property lines. That was uh that's the crux of my question. Was that answered appropriately from assistant director Silva that there is code section that there are requirements that owners um maintain their portion up to uh the sidewalk or edge of pavement. Uh but there are some areas where the city does maintain like the wide sidewalks or paths around Gral Lake Drive. uh veterans onx. Uh some of those are maintained uh by the city and then other areas that um are really kind of the back of properties are often maintained by our operations and maintenance. But again, as assistant director Silva mentioned, if you ever see anything, my 311 is a great app to use or a great way to report it and then we sort it out on the staff side.

Thank you. Yep. I'll turn the podium back over to assistant director Silva. Questions? Mr. Holmes, anything to add? No, I I would I would ask if if allow just say thank you. This is a big lift. We really appreciate you doing all this work for us, the city, and preparing all these documents. You know, makes it real easy for us to go through and work, you know, read through it. And I I think this is a very smart move. It simplifies the process, ties code, you know, it this this is straight over tackle is something more city should be doing.

Yeah, absolutely. There was lots of red additions and strikethroughs and I can only imagine what that looked like in the offices preparing this document. So, thank you so much. Um, and thank you for your presentation this evening, Missilva. And we'll do the public hearing portion now. Yes, sir. That right. All right. We'll open uh the public hearing for the Lakewood Municipal Code Title 12 Public Works and Lakewood Engineering Services Manual Update. Uh begin. Miss Spear, are there any attendees online with their hand raised? I see none. No, there are not.

And is there any member of the audience that would like to speak during this public hearing session? Mr. Burns, please approach. Mr. Just burn a reminder public hearing is and public comment is relegated to three minutes. Please state your name for the record and your city of residence and go ahead.

John Burns, Lakewood, Washington. So the old section that is up for revisal chapter 12.07, 07. It's very specific about a few things. This language is set to be modified. It reads, "Objects and activities in the within the rightway. No person, organization, or agency shall place, erect, or install any object of any nature whatsoever within a city rightway without a rightway permit issued by the city engineer." And this is the critical section that got dropped. Any such object now in place within a city street rideway without written permitted permission of the city engineer is declared illegal and a public nuisance provided that this section shall not apply to mailboxes and newspaper stamps. So that went away. the the city engineer under new guidance would not be able to declare these pre-existing encroachments illegal. So what does that mean? That means the guy that's been sitting on this public property for years isn't going to pay anything for it. He's not going to be he's not going to be asked to do anything. He's not going to be asked to move. the way I read that because that got dropped and if you hadn't carefully read that you wouldn't have noticed that the new language reads any such objects

now placed within a city street rideway without written permission is declared illegal placed. So what that means when you read back further in the rightway section is that it has to be placed. Okay. Well, some of these things have already been placed. So, and if you want to be technical about it, then then they've already been placed and the new [clears throat] owner didn't place it. So according to how you want to read interpret this legal ease um you know there's just no way to enforce uh this section. The city's lost its bite and it has turned over uh this the encroachments to the citizens uh who haven't paid for them and there's no mechanism now for recuperating that that is formalized. the old the old um section [clears throat] had been around since 2009. So why do we need to change it? We didn't really need to change it. We just needed to enforce it from my opinion. Okay. It's just when you take something that's not yours. I've been taught that that's a form of theft. Thank you for your comment, Mr. Burns. Are there any other members of the public uh in the audience tonight who would like to speak during this public hearing period? Seeing none, I will declare this public hearing closed. We will now turn to new business and review of the 2026 planning commission work plan. Miss Spear.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll share this uh one more time. Oops. And this is also in the packet if you happen to have it with you starting on page three, excuse me, 26. So first of all, uh on an annual basis, the work plan for the planning commission goes in front of the city council for approval and that is happening uh over the next couple of weeks. So this is draft, but this is uh showing what's anticipated to come before you uh throughout the year. You'll see that at the time this was put together, uh the chair and vice chair were not identified. So that will be corrected and uh I believe the liaison will be determined either next week or the week following from the city council. But as mentioned um I am the planning division manager and lead staff for planning commission and Miss Devo next to me is the planning commission clerk. So you're you will see our faces most often but other staff will be in front of you just as they were tonight. uh first and third Wednesdays at 6:30 is when the commission normally meets and then there may be occasional special meetings needing just depended on a topic or the desire of the planning commission to have additional um discussions on a topic. But in graph form here what you see is uh what are anticipated again to be the topics in front of you this year. On the right hand side you'll see columns that tell you the timing of when to expect them. So, for instance, first quarter includes tonight's meeting, and you see we've elected chair and vice chair, and we're looking at the work plan. Uh, one of the other things that I did not include in the packet, but is available on our city's website, is to take a look at the city council's goals, they are there right under the city council's page. So, if you're able to take a look at that um that way or I can certainly send you a link through email. But the idea is that that can give you a sense of where the city council sees its priorities for uh this coming year.

Also in the first quarter will be the annual review that happens of the shoreline restoration activities in the city. I anticipate that to be in late February or early March. Um the uh discussion that you just had your public hearing on is also first quarter. So, the title 12 changes and the engineering service manual updates. Coming into a little bit later in the year, uh the community development block grant annual action plan comes before you for discussion before it goes to council. That is the plan where federal dollars that go toward affordable or assisted housing, how those are going to be used by the city of Lakewood in coordination with the city of Tacoma. So, that will be in front of you second quarter throughout the year. That's why there's all four X's. You'll have information come in front of you for our natural environment and climate change program. And those of you from last year may recall this is the it's called a program, but it's really a combination of a number of things that the city is having to do. Whether it's state law regarding climate change and resiliency or whether it's the existing city's goals for tree canopy cover for uh creating an urban forestry program. So there's a number of overlapping topics which we're now calling this single program. We'll be bringing you information about that pretty regularly this year just so you're aware of what's happening within that. The parks department is working right now on creating a new legacy plan or uh parks, recreation, and open space plan that'll come to you late first quarter and probably extend further uh with some additional updates coming to you before they take action at council. One of the fundamental things that the planning commission always does each year is the review of the comprehensive plan amendment cycle. And that also includes not just the comprehensive plan itself, those policy number uh information, but the development regulations that implement. And so again, late first

quarter into second quarter, you'll be reviewing the 2026 package. There are at this point 25 amendments that will be in front of you. So, we'll take a couple of meetings probably to walk through and introduce things before public hearings start. On the transportation side, the planning commission is also the one that hears information and provides a recommendation to city council on the city's six years transportation improvement program. So, that'll be in front of you second quarter. Uh it says third quarter, but we're actually going to bring this to you in the first. So, my apologies for the misinformation here, but we are going to be bringing information to you regarding housing and other permit activity that occurred in 2025. And that is going to be done in conjunction with the request that was made by uh Commissioner Larson last year regarding our tree code and how that is being implemented and uh whether there's been feedback from the public, positive, negative, or otherwise. So, you'll be getting that. I believe it's going to be the second meeting of February. And then as soon as you're done with the 2026 comp plan and packet, there's going to be the 2027 proposed items. So that is not uh the actual substantive review. That's just identifying what topics will be covered a year from now essentially. And then there's also the development regulation package which comes to you separately. These are the things that are uh maybe identified by staff over time as uh bugaboos in the code that need to change or maybe because of this year's uh legislative session. that's about to start in Olympia. Maybe there's some things that need to happen that are time-sensitive. So, kind of a various and sunundry for uh the regulation package that'll come later. The shoreline master program is going to have um potentially some changes this year uh that will intersect a little bit with the annual comp plan package. We do have a couple of parcels that may need to get redesated under the shoreline

program which is separate and apart from land use zoning. Um, but that would be coming in front of you as well. We're going to be tracking as always the activity in our station area and our downtown and our Tilican Woodbrook sub areas and provide that information to you. And then of course we'll always be bringing information regarding what's happened at the state level if there's required changes uh to the city's code or policies as a result of state action. And sometimes there's also where we need to report on progress back to the state. So we'll provide that to you as well. So any questions on any of those?

All right. Just for those of you that are new this year, the general rule of thumb is that the planning commission does not meet in August, but take that with a grain of salt because depending on what's happening by that time, there may need to be a special meeting or something, but generally uh August is a a time for everybody to enjoy the summer. So that's it for the schedule, Mr. Chair. Outstanding. Um is there any unfinished business business to uh address? Sure. Nope, that's it. All right. Uh we have no uh city council liaison at this time and I do not see Mr. Boi, Mayor Boi, sorry, Mr. Larson.

I have a question about the uh we're going to revisit the tree ordinance uh in the in the second meeting in February. I believe that's when it'll get here. What What's the date of that? I've got a some travel plans scheduled for that time. It would be on um February 18th or it might be March 4th just depending on if we need more time. Okay. So March 4th would be an alternative if we Okay. Would that work better for you? Yeah, probably. Okay. We can certainly reschedule. Thank you. Sure. Okay. Any commissioner have anything for the good of the order?

Say thank you to our new members, M. Commissioner Merritt and Commissioner Flores. Thank you for answering the call to serve the community. We look forward to working with you as we move into 2026. Remind everybody that our next meeting will be January the 21st, 2026 right here at 6:30 p.m. As always, you are uh able to log in on Zoom as you saw Mr. Estrada this evening