Puyallup Planning Commission Meeting - June 10, 2026

The Puyallup Planning Commission met on June 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The meeting covered updates to the commission's rules of procedure, a proposed code amendment to allow urban agriculture on vacant single-family residential lots, a staff report on upcoming LMX code changes, and commissioner comments including concerns about the commission's recommendations being disregarded.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved as amended (adding agenda item 5b) unanimously (7-0).
• The minutes of the May 13, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Schedule Updates & Amendments to the Commission's Rules of Procedure: Senior Planner Kendall Wals presented proposed changes to the Planning Commission's work plan and meeting schedule, reducing meetings to once monthly with the option to add a second meeting as needed. The proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure were adopted unanimously (7-0).
• Code Amendment to Allow Urban Agriculture on Vacant Single-Family Residential Sites: Code Compliance Officer Shane Pieren introduced a council-initiated code revision to permit urban agricultural activities on vacant RS-zoned sites of at least one acre (or contiguous lots totaling one acre) provided the property owner resides within city limits. Commissioners expressed strong support for the concept but suggested lowering the minimum lot size to as small as an eighth of an acre to encourage neighborhood gardens. Concerns were raised about maintenance and enforcement on "zombie properties" where owners are deceased, and staff clarified that enforcement targets heirs. The amendment will proceed to a public hearing on July 8, 2026 and then to City Council in July.
• Staff Report: SP Wals reported that she would seek policy direction on LMX zone code changes at the City Council meeting on June 16, and would attend a Council study session on June 30 to recap prior direction. Feedback and draft code language for Package 6 will be presented to the Planning Commission on July 8.

Key Outcomes

• The Rules of Procedure amendments were approved unanimously (7-0).
• The urban agriculture code amendment will be brought back for a public hearing at the July 8, 2026 meeting, with potential revisions to the minimum lot size based on commissioner input.
• The commission's next meeting is scheduled for after the Fourth of July holiday, with adjusted dates in October and November.

Commissioner Comments

• Commissioner Crosby expressed concern that the commission's prior recommendation on River Road corridor and motor vehicle sales was mischaracterized at a City Council meeting. Commissioner Landon echoed these concerns.
• Vice Chair De Groot encouraged participation in the City's 250 Flag Project, noting he had donated.
• Chair Taylor reminded of upcoming community events (Meeker Days and Watson's garden party) and voiced frustration that many of the commission's recommendations are not seriously considered by the City Council, noting that this has led to the departure of other commissioners.

The meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.