Puyallup Planning Commission Meeting – March 11, 2026

The Planning Commission met on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Vice‑Chair Tracy Taylor with six commissioners present and one excused. The agenda was amended to include commissioner introductions, followed by elections for Chair and Vice‑Chair, approval of minutes, and three work‑session presentations on the 2026 DPS Work Plan, proposed deletion of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure chapter, and proposed deletion of the Professional Office zone. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: A motion to add Commissioner Introductions as item 2b was made and seconded; the agenda as amended passed 6‑0.
• Election of Chair: Commissioner De Groot nominated Tracy Taylor; seconded by Commissioner Landon. Taylor was elected Chair by a vote of 6‑0.
• Election of Vice Chair: Commissioner Crosby nominated David De Groot; seconded by Chair Taylor. De Groot was elected Vice Chair by a vote of 6‑0.
• Approval of Minutes: The February 11, 2026 minutes were approved as amended (correcting a date reference from 2026 to 2025) by a vote of 6‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were submitted or offered during the meeting.

Discussion Items

2026 DPS Work Plan (Package 1–6 Overview)

Planning Manager Katie Baker presented the Development and Permitting Services (DPS) work plan, explaining that the City is implementing the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, complying with state legislative changes, streamlining zoning designations, and removing barriers to housing development. The work plan is divided into six code‑amendment packages:

• Packages 1–4 have already been through the Planning Commission; two have been adopted by City Council and two will be presented in April 2026. Key items include subdivision regulations (Package 1), phase‑1 zoning map updates (Package 2), middle housing regulations (Package 3), and critical areas ordinance updates (Package 4).
• Package 5 (design standards overhaul) includes deletion of the EV Infrastructure chapter (see below) and other housekeeping items.
• Package 6 (phase‑2 zoning map) includes deletion of the Professional Office zone (see below) and consolidation of single‑family, commercial, mixed‑use, manufacturing, and fair‑zone chapters.
• Commissioners asked about transparency of traffic impact fee allocation. Baker noted a list of projects is available in recent council packets. Commissioner Taylor expressed concern about clients paying large fees and wanting to know where the money goes.
• Commissioner Washburn noted that the critical areas ordinance update did not adopt the latest stream‑buffer science from WDFW; the Planning Commission had chosen to move forward with a 100‑foot buffer for non‑fish‑bearing streams and 100–202‑foot riparian management zones on city properties. Staff confirmed the SEPA process has been re‑issued with minor tribal‑comment adjustments.

Code Amendments – PMC Ch. 20.56 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (Package 5, Docket 3)

Senior Planner Kendall Wals explained that Chapter 20.56, established in 2011, is now redundant because the building code covers EV infrastructure requirements (location, power, accessibility). The zoning code chapter contains additional standards for signage, lighting, and restricted‑use definitions that are not in the building code; these would be carried over into the general definitions section or other chapters. Commissioners sought clarification on the difference between allowed and mandatory infrastructure – Wals confirmed the zoning code governs voluntary additions, while the building code mandates requirements. Concerns about potential legal gaps if the chapter is deleted were addressed: staff will retain necessary elements to avoid gaps. The chapter deletion is proposed as part of the larger Package 5 design‑standards update, with a public hearing anticipated in June 2026.

Code Amendments – PMC Ch. 20.28 OP Professional Office Zone (Package 6, Docket 3)

Planning Manager Baker presented the proposed deletion of the Professional Office (OP) zone, established in 1992 to reserve office space near hospitals and public offices. Due to ample office space in other zones and the recent comprehensive plan update, only a few OP parcels remain; phase‑1 zoning map changes already rezoned some to Community Business. Phase‑2 would rezone the remaining OP parcels to mixed‑use designations, still allowing office use. Commissioners asked whether current occupants objected – Baker noted that outreach has not yet occurred but that uses would remain conforming, though some property standards might change. The chapter deletion is part of the phase‑2 zoning map package.

Key Outcomes

• Elections: Tracy Taylor elected Chair; David De Groot elected Vice Chair (both 6‑0).
• Minutes approved as amended (6‑0).
• No votes were taken on the work‑session items (EV Infrastructure and Professional Office zone deletions); they are scheduled for future public hearings and recommendations.
• Staff Report: Planning Manager Baker updated the Commission on the March 10 City Council meeting where policy direction on single‑family zone consolidation was discussed. Staff will bring that direction to the Commission for future draft amendments. Administrative Clerk Abarca confirmed that training on the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and Public Records Act (PRA) will be scheduled for new commissioners, and existing members may request retraining.
• Commissioner Comments:
  • Commissioner Washburn reiterated the importance of a 2021 USGS lahar simulation for Mount Rainier’s west side, noting the study suggests the lahar may not reach Puyallup or could take four hours to arrive.
  • Vice‑Chair De Groot advocated for alternative valley‑to‑hill access routes on the east side, specifically proposing reconnection of 21st Street Southeast, upgrading 13th Street Southeast, or using the Good Samaritan Hospital easement to connect 7th Street. He stressed that dispersing traffic would reduce congestion and improve evacuation options.