OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting - April 2, 2026

Planning Commission — Thursday, April 2, 2026
BodyShoreline, Washington
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, April 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 46:05

Transcript — Verbatim
0:14

Okay.

0:16

I would like to call to order the Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 regular Shoreline Planning Commission meeting.

0:29

We will do roll call first.

0:38

Chair Brinson.

0:40

Here.

0:42

Commissioner Cabe.

0:44

Here.

0:45

Commissioner Hadley.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Commissioner Laura.

0:51

Vice Chair Mosier.

0:53

Here.

0:54

Commissioner Povick.

0:55

Here.

0:56

And Commissioner Sousa.

0:59

Here.

1:04

Okay.

1:04

Next up is the approval of the agenda.

1:08

And we do have some changes for tonight's agenda that will need to be approved.

1:13

So we're just going to run through the new order.

1:16

So first we did the call to order.

1:19

Second, we did roll call.

1:21

Third item is approval of the agenda.

1:25

Fourth item is going to be swearing in of our new commissioners and reappointed commissioners.

1:32

Number five is going to be the election of the chair and vice chair.

1:38

Number six is going to be approval of the meeting minutes from March 5th, 2026.

1:45

Number seven is going to be public comment.

1:50

Number eight is going to be our study item, which is going to be a director's report.

1:56

Number nine is going to be unfinished business.

1:59

Number 10 will be new business.

2:02

Number 11 is going to be reports and announcements.

2:11

And 13 is going to be adjournment.

2:16

Any issues with the revised agenda for this evening?

2:21

Okay, thank you.

2:23

So next up is the swearing in with Mayor Robertson, who is online.

2:32

Just go from here.

2:33

You can go ahead.

2:35

Thank you so much.

2:36

And thanks to everybody for your willingness to serve.

2:39

Let's jump right into the business, and we are going to start with the swearing in of Commissioner Katie Laura.

2:47

So Commissioner Laura, if you could okay, I'll hear you all.

2:53

I'll start reading my script.

2:54

On behalf of the City Council, I would like to swear in the new planning commission members.

3:00

Commissioner Katie Laura, please raise your right hand.

3:04

And I can't see you, so I trust that you have that right hand raised.

3:08

Do you solemnly swear to inform yourself of the proper duties and functions of your appointment in accordance with state law and city ordinance to fulfill the responsibilities of the City of Shoreline Planning Commission and to represent the public interest of the citizens of Shoreline to the best of your ability?

3:29

I do.

3:31

Commissioner Laura, on behalf of the City Council, thank you for your willingness to serve on the commission and congratulations.

3:39

Next, we will do Matthew Sousa.

3:43

And please let me know if I pronounce that correctly.

3:46

Okay, great.

3:47

All right, Commissioner Sousa.

3:49

Please raise your right hand.

3:52

Do you solemnly swear to inform yourself of the proper duties and functions of your appointment in accordance with state law and city ordinance to fulfill the responsibilities of the City of Shoreline Planning Commission and to represent the public interest of the citizens of Shoreline to the best of your ability?

4:12

I do.

4:14

Commissioner Sousa, uh on behalf of the City Council, thank you for your willingness to serve on the commission and congratulations to you.

4:23

And next we will uh do the oath of office for our reappointed commissioners, starting with Leslie Brinson.

4:31

Uh on behalf of the City Council, I would like to formally swear in Leslie Brinson, who was reappointed to the Shoreline Commanding Planning Commission, and I will read the oath.

4:42

And if you agree, please affirm your commitment by saying I do.

4:47

Do you, Leslie Brinson, solemnly swear to inform yourself on the proper duties and function of your appointment in accordance with state law and city ordinance to fulfill all the responsibilities of the City of Shoreline Planning Commission and to represent the public interest of the citizens of Shoreline to the best of your ability?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████23%
Affordable Housing███████████████████19%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Engagement█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Shoreline Planning Commission Regular Meeting - April 2, 2026

The Shoreline Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. The meeting included the swearing-in of new and reappointed commissioners, election of officers, approval of routine items, and a detailed director's report on housing, permitting, and city projects. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

Consent Calendar

  • Agenda: The agenda was accepted as amended, reordering items to include the swearing-in and election before public comment.
  • Meeting Minutes: The draft minutes from March 5, 2026, were approved as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to speak, and no written comments were received.

Swearing-In of New Commissioners

  • Mayor Robertson swore in new commissioners Katie Lorah and Matthew Sousa, and reappointed commissioners Leslie Brinson and Christopher Mosier. The Mayor thanked all for their willingness to serve.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

  • Chair: Commissioner Christopher Mosier nominated Leslie Brinson for Chair. Brinson was unanimously re-elected.
  • Vice Chair: Chair Brinson opened nominations; Commissioner Julie Povick nominated Christopher Mosier. Mosier was unanimously re-elected.

Discussion Items

  • Director’s Report (Andrew Bauer, Planning and Community Development Director): Provided updates on housing, permitting, and city projects.
    • Housing Data (2020–2025): Net new units completed in 2025 equaled 2024 totals, but the mix shifted away from single-family detached (which decreased annually) toward townhomes and multifamily. Shoreline’s population is growing at an average of 2.07% per year since 2020; in 2025 it was the sixth fastest-growing city in Washington by percentage (approximately 3%).
    • Permit Performance: In 2025, the city processed over 2,400 permit applications. 96% of applicable permits were approved within the 65-day target in Q4. The city launched a Modern Permitting Initiative including a new online permit portal (joining MyBuildingPermit.com), paperless operations, eliminated cash payments, and ongoing improvements based on customer feedback and quarterly data monitoring. Director Bauer noted that larger multifamily and mixed-use permits often exceed the 65-day target due to complexity; the city uses extension agreements where needed.
    • City Projects:
      • NE 145th Street Interchange (double roundabout) – nearing completion spring 2026.
      • 148th Street Non-Motorized Bridge – Phase 1 (east side) construction ongoing; full span to be placed summer 2026.
      • Parks: Richmond Highlands Park open; James Keough Park substantially complete; Hillwood Park and Hamlin Park under construction; Brugger’s Bog Park starting.
      • Shoreline Pool Facility Exploration – City Council directed staff to prepare for a November ballot measure for a 48,000 sq ft public pool on Midvale Avenue.
      • Washington State Department of Health Lab Expansion – 32,000 sq ft addition underway.
      • Leeway Mixed-Use (north of 145th) – 360 units (72 affordable), 3,300 sq ft commercial, targeting LEED Platinum; permits issued.
      • Shoreline Place Block D (old Sears site) – 369 units, ~16,900 sq ft commercial; permit application received.
    • Commissioner questions: Commissioner Lorah asked about the 148th Street Bridge opening date and federal funding risk. Director Bauer said he would follow up.
    • Commissioner Povick asked about the Scan Design Foundation transportation grant. Bauer explained it funds a trip to Copenhagen for city leaders and a local engagement series on livable transit-oriented communities.

Key Outcomes

  • Commissioners Sworn In: Katie Lorah and Matthew Sousa joined; Leslie Brinson and Christopher Mosier were reappointed.
  • Officers Elected: Leslie Brinson re-elected Chair; Christopher Mosier re-elected Vice Chair (both unanimously).
  • Approval of Agenda and Minutes: Agenda amended and approved; March 5, 2026 minutes approved.
  • Next Meeting: A joint meeting with City Council is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:45 p.m. (dinner at 5:25 p.m.) in Room 303. The regularly scheduled April 16 meeting was canceled by consensus.
  • Future Retreat: The annual Planning Commission retreat is planned for May 7, 2026, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. I would like to call to order the Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 regular Shoreline Planning Commission meeting. We will do roll call first. Chair Brinson. Here. Commissioner Cabe. Here. Commissioner Hadley. Here. Commissioner Laura. Vice Chair Mosier. Here. Commissioner Povick. Here. And Commissioner Sousa. Here. Okay. Next up is the approval of the agenda. And we do have some changes for tonight's agenda that will need to be approved. So we're just going to run through the new order. So first we did the call to order. Second, we did roll call. Third item is approval of the agenda. Fourth item is going to be swearing in of our new commissioners and reappointed commissioners. Number five is going to be the election of the chair and vice chair. Number six is going to be approval of the meeting minutes from March 5th, 2026. Number seven is going to be public comment. Number eight is going to be our study item, which is going to be a director's report. Number nine is going to be unfinished business. Number 10 will be new business. Number 11 is going to be reports and announcements. And 13 is going to be adjournment. Any issues with the revised agenda for this evening? Okay, thank you. So next up is the swearing in with Mayor Robertson, who is online. Just go from here. You can go ahead. Thank you so much. And thanks to everybody for your willingness to serve. Let's jump right into the business, and we are going to start with the swearing in of Commissioner Katie Laura. So Commissioner Laura, if you could okay, I'll hear you all. I'll start reading my script. On behalf of the City Council, I would like to swear in the new planning commission members. Commissioner Katie Laura, please raise your right hand. And I can't see you, so I trust that you have that right hand raised. Do you solemnly swear to inform yourself of the proper duties and functions of your appointment in accordance with state law and city ordinance to fulfill the responsibilities of the City of Shoreline Planning Commission and to represent the public interest of the citizens of Shoreline to the best of your ability? I do. Commissioner Laura, on behalf of the City Council, thank you for your willingness to serve on the commission and congratulations. Next, we will do Matthew Sousa. And please let me know if I pronounce that correctly.

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