Puyallup Planning Commission Meeting: December 10, 2025
Puyallup Planning Commission Meeting – December 10, 2025
The Puyallup Planning Commission met on December 10, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Vice-Chair Marty Kiilsgaard presided. Commissioners present: David De Groot, Greg Martin, Kyle Landon, and Tracy Taylor. Commissioners excused: Chair Kenya Jones-Lowell and Art Seeley. Staff present: Planning Manager Katie Baker, Senior Planner Kendall Wals, Senior Planner Chris Beale, and Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a public hearing on code amendments for plats and subdivisions, worksessions on zoning map updates and middle housing, and concluded with commissioner comments and a resignation.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda (motion by Taylor, seconded by De Groot, passed 5-0).
- Approved the November 12, 2025 minutes (motion by Taylor, seconded by De Groot, passed 5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were received in person or via email.
Discussion Items
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Public Hearing – Code Amendments (Title 19 and Noticing Procedures): Senior Planner Chris Beale presented updates to the subdivision code, including increasing short plat allowances from 4 to 9 lots (the state maximum), establishing a preliminary short plat review process requiring improvements before approval, administrative final plat approval for major plats, and new subdivision types (unit lot subdivisions and residential lot splits) required by state law. The amendments also updated noticing procedures to include short plats, per Senate Bill 5290. Commissioners discussed the need for public notification, the RS zone name (which no longer reflects single-family only), and clarity on utility and access requirements. The commission voted 4-1 to approve the code amendments, with Vice-Chair Kiilsgaard dissenting.
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Worksession – Zoning Map Updates: Senior Planner Kendall Wals presented a two-phase approach to align the zoning map with the updated Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map. Phase 1 includes straightforward changes: public facility zone updates for city and school district properties, mixed-use updates in the South Hill area, residential zone changes (e.g., RS4 to RS6, RM10, RM20), and removal of the agricultural overlay at the Red Dot development and an invalidated overlay near Shaw/East Pioneer. Phase 2 will address more complex areas: new neighborhood commercial zones, Fair parking overlay adjustments, mixed-use zoning along Shaw/Pioneer, and manufacturing zone changes. Commissioners asked about the agricultural overlay near Wildwood Park and the need to rename RS zones to reflect middle housing allowances. Staff noted that a public hearing on Phase 1 will be scheduled early 2026.
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Worksession – Middle Housing Code Amendments (PMC 20.15, 20.20, 20.21): Planning Manager Katie Baker explained that the city must comply with House Bill 1110, which requires allowing middle housing in residential zones. Puyallup (tier 2 city) must permit at least 2 units per lot, and up to 4 units if within ¼ mile of the Sounder station or if one unit is affordable. An interim zoning ordinance was adopted in June 2025 and extended to June 2026 by City Council. The draft permanent code adds definitions for cottage housing, courtyard apartments, stacked flats, and unit density; integrates middle housing into the RS zone chapter; and includes a prohibition on middle housing and ADUs in the volcanic hazard (Lahar) zone, with an exception for lots within ½ mile of the hillside base. Commissioners debated the Lahar prohibition: some supported it for safety, while others questioned equity and infrastructure. Commissioner Martin expressed support for courtyard apartments and stacked flats. Staff outlined a timeline: additional work session in January 2026, public hearing in February 2026, and recommendation to Council by March 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Code Amendments (Title 19 and Noticing Procedures): Motion passed 4-1 (Kiilsgaard opposed). The ordinance will proceed to City Council for consideration in Q1 2026.
- Zoning Map Updates: Staff will return for a public hearing on Phase 1 in early 2026; Phase 2 will follow later.
- Middle Housing Code: The commission will hold a second work session in January 2026, followed by a public hearing in February 2026, and a recommendation to City Council by March 2026. Community outreach (survey, open house) is planned.
- Vice-Chair Kiilsgaard Resignation: Announced his resignation effective immediately, citing personal reasons and dissatisfaction with City Council’s lack of responsiveness to the commission and community. He expressed hope for improved council engagement.
- Commissioner Landon noted high-water flows and flooding concerns around town, and Commissioner De Groot wished everyone happy holidays.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, we're on we're on board now, right? Okay. Uh call the meeting to order at 6 30 p.m. And we will start with the roll call. From the clerk. Commissioner Seeley. Absent, excused. Commissioner DeGro. Commissioner Commissioner Martin. Present. Commissioner Landon. Not here yet. Commissioner Taylor. Here. Vice Chair Killscard. Here. Chair Jones. Excused. And here comes Chairman Chairman, Mr. Chairman Commissioner Well. Commissioner Landon, welcome. Okay. Thank you so much. We have a quorum. Okay. Um next agenda on the item is approval of the agenda. Uh can I hear a motion to approve the agenda? So motioned. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the agenda. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Yeah. Again. Against. Approval and minutes. Next item on the agenda is approval of the minutes from the November 12, 25 minutes. Is there a motion to approve? So motioned. Hold second. Motion to approve or seconded. All in favor approval of the November 12 minutes, say aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed. Passes. Citizen comments. Are there any citizen comments tonight? There appear to be none.
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