Public Meetings - Puyallup, Washington

On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the Puyallup City Council held a study session at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered three planning-related agenda items: Middle Housing Code Amendments, Phase 2 Zoning Map & Code policy for Mixed-Use Zones, and Phase 2 Zoning Map & Code for Commercial Zones. Planning Manager Katie Baker presented all three items, Council gave policy direction, and the meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM. The agenda was approved 7-0. Consent Calendar - Motion by Deputy Mayor Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Gilliam, to approve the agenda passed 7-0. Public Comments & Testimony - Andrelyn Izquierdo (the transcript transcribes the name as “Angeline Slido”; this discrepancy is noted) urged Council to expand middle housing applicability to unincorporated South Hill, citing an estimated 70,000 residents who identify as Puyallup and face limited affordable housing options. - Art Seeley, a former Planning Commission member, argued that the lahar hazard has long been overlooked in city planning, called the current middle housing exception unfair because it restricts new allowances in the valley while pushing density to South Hill, and urged Council to spread middle housing opportunities evenly across the city. Discussion Items Middle Housing Code Amendments - Planning Manager Katie Baker explained that permanent middle housing regulations must replace interim ordinance 3323 before it expires June 30, 2026. State HB 1110 requires Puyallup, as a Tier 2 city, to allow at least two units per residential lot, up to four units near the Sounder station or when one unit is affordable, and at least six of nine state-defined middle housing types in every residential zone. - The interim ordinance excludes approximately 31% of single-family residential lots from new middle housing and ADU allowances due to a lahar/volcanic hazard zone exception. State law permits excluding up to 25% of lots, and the Department of Commerce had expressed concern that the 31% figure may not comply. Using updated USGS lahar boundary data would reduce the exclusion to 13%. - The Planning Commission recommended removing the lahar zone exception entirely. Council did not reach a single position: Deputy Mayor Johnson and Councilmember Kastama favored adjusting the buffer to meet exactly the 25% threshold; Mayor Witting, Councilmember King, and Councilmember Gilliam supported the 13% updated-data approach; Councilmember Smolko raised concerns about displacement, demographics, and notification; Councilmember Adler asked for alternative options. - Council discussed middle housing parking standards, including a half-mile transit-stop provision and thresholds of one off-street space on lots 6,000 square feet or less and up to two spaces on larger lots, as well as possible future state parking law changes near transit. Members expressed differing views on likely impacts. - Staff was directed to bring back buffer strategy options, explore allowing one ADU in the excluded areas, and include demographic and displacement analysis. Staff aims to finalize the ordinance in April; extending the interim ordinance remains possible if more time is needed. Phase 2 Zoning Map & Code – Mixed-Use Zones - Baker reviewed the city’s five mixed-use zones: LMX, CMX, RMX, UCX, and CCX. The focus was the River Road Mixed-Use (RMX) zone (approximately 54 acres) and the Community Mixed-Use (CMX) zone (approximately 30 acres at Shaw/Pioneer). - For RMX, adopted with the 2011 River Road Corridor Plan, the original pedestrian-oriented vision has seen little development due to market conditions. Staff presented three options: repeal the River Road Corridor Plan, revise it to remove auto-oriented use prohibitions, or launch a new community planning process. - Council broadly supported revising the plan (Option 2) while directing higher density and height allowances, removal of density caps, and expanded commercial and auto-oriented uses. Councilmember Gilliam suggested considering CCX zoning instead of UCX; Mayor Witting and others supported going vertical. Councilmember Smolko asked for anti-displacement policies to protect renters and small businesses. - For CMX, established in 2009 and still undeveloped, the required master site plan and hearing examiner process was seen as burdensome. Council favored rezoning the area to UCX to allow greater flexibility for residential and commercial diversity, remove density caps, and allow a broader range of commercial activities—though auto sales were generally considered inappropriate for that location. Councilmember Adler raised traffic concerns; Councilmember Smolko asked about small business impacts and notice requirements. Phase 2 Zoning Map & Code – Commercial Zones - Baker presented the five commercial zones: CBD Core, CBD, Community Business (CB), General Commercial (CG), and Limited Commercial (CL). Chapter 20.30 has not been comprehensively updated in nearly 20 years. - Staff proposed removing the CL zone because it is largely redundant with the Limited Mixed-Use (LMX) zone. Remaining CL parcels—at 31st Avenue and 9th Street SW, parts of downtown, and between the downtown Safeway and the bypass—would transition primarily to LMX. - Council supported the LMX transition, particularly the area behind Safeway near Kalles Junior High, and expressed concern that CL parcels be rezoned to General Commercial would harm neighborhood character. Staff confirmed property owners would be notified, though the city’s capacity for extensive economic impact analysis is limited. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken on the policy items; Council provided informal direction for staff. - Staff will return with a synthesized summary of policy directions at a June study session, with Planning Commission review through spring/summer, a public hearing expected in fall, and final ordinances anticipated in November–December 2026. - Councilmember Kastama, during a point of privilege cited an FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit conclusion regarding a threatening letter sent to the Planning Commission chair; this was not an agenda item. - The meeting adjourned at 8:11 PM.

The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met virtually via Zoom on March 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The agenda listed the meeting as March 24, 2026, but the user-provided date states March 25. The committee discussed a proposed scoring matrix for LTAC funding applications and considered two city-initiated requests: parklets and the America 250 celebration. Discussion Items - Scoring Matrix Review: The committee debated the scoring process for LTAC applications. Dean proposed moving from a purely objective 15-question matrix to a hybrid subjective-objective approach using broad categories (e.g., Heads & Beds, Community Events, Marketing, Vibe). Members (Jason, Tony, Tani, Renee) discussed specific events and their alignment with categories. They emphasized the need for ROI, self-sufficiency, and a balance between objective metrics and subjective evaluation. The committee agreed to develop a new framework. - City-Initiated Request: Parklets: The city requested $11,736.30 from LTAC funds (city’s 55% portion) to install three additional parklets (total 10). Each parklet costs approximately $1,500 to install and removes one parking space. Businesses must carry insurance. The committee had no adverse comments; they viewed it as supportive of local businesses. - City-Initiated Request: America 250 Celebration: The city requested $81,000 for a July 4th event (America’s 250th anniversary) as an addition to the existing Red White & Kaboom. Committee members Dean, Kim, and Tani expressed opposition to using LTAC funds for this event. They argued that July 4th events typically do not generate overnight stays (heads & beds) and the ROI would be low. They supported the event itself but not LTAC funding. Dan (staff) noted these comments would be provided to the city council. Key Outcomes - The committee will schedule a follow-up meeting between April 10th and 20th, 2026, to finalize the scoring framework. - Committee comments on city-initiated requests: No objection to parklets; opposition to LTAC funding for America 250. These comments will be conveyed to the city council at their evening meeting. - Dan summarized that Dean, Kim, and Tani do not support the use of LTAC funds for the America 250 celebration. Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as March 24, 2026, but the user-provided date is March 25, 2026. This summary uses the user-provided date per instructions.

The Puyallup City Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a public hearing, and discussions on infrastructure projects, downtown revitalization, emergency preparedness, and community celebrations. All votes during the meeting were unanimous (7-0). Consent Calendar - Approved the meeting agenda and minutes from February 10, 2026. - Authorized a contract with HCON, Inc. for the South Fruitland Avenue Sanitary Sewer Extension project. - Authorized a contract with R.L. Alia for the 4th Street NW Storm Upgrades Stage N2a project. - Accepted completion of the Crystal Ridge Electrical Service Meter Upgrade Project with MPH Services, Inc. - Authorized a contract with David Evans and Associates, Inc. for the Deer Creek Streamflow Restoration and Culvert Replacement Project. - Accepted a Washington Association of Sheriff's & Police Chief's Traffic Safety Grant for traffic safety equipment. - Authorized purchase of a 2026 John Deere 320P Backhoe Loader for Public Works. - Authorized a contract with Pierce County for Elodea cutting. - Authorized a Supplemental Agreement with RH2 Engineering for the Valley Sewer Trunk Upgrade Project. - Accepted a Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant. - Approved a resolution updating the City's 2026 Non-Represented Employees Salary Schedule. Public Comments & Testimony - Penni Thorpe urged the Council to uphold values of diversity and inclusion through budgetary actions or resolutions. - Val Dent expressed appreciation for responsiveness to traffic concerns and cited data showing significant traffic issues in her neighborhood (2,283 tickets in 10 years, 396 accidents, one fatality on Pioneer). She urged traffic cameras and speed enforcement tools. - Tim Mellema addressed the criminal investigation into alleged threats against a former Planning Commission Chair, criticizing those who assumed the threats were real before the investigation concluded. - John Palmer (Puyallup Main Street Association) highlighted the B&O tax donation program, noting it leverages $25,000 city funds into $100,000 for downtown improvements such as facade grants, murals, graffiti removal, and holiday decorations. He also commented on parklet allocation, urging balanced distribution between Meridian and off-Meridian locations. - Eric Showacy criticized the investigation into the alleged threats, arguing that the former Planning Commission Chair (Kenya Jones Lowell) was not treated fairly and that the city failed to protect her. - Andrelyn Izquierdo urged legislative amendments to help victims of online sexual exploitation and harassment report more effectively. - Chris Chisholm expressed support for the B&O tax credit program and commented on the police investigation. - Tracy Taylor (current Planning Commission Chair) stated the matter regarding the former chair was handled poorly and that a disservice was done by questioning the member rather than offering help. Discussion Items - Water Use Efficiency Plan (Public Hearing): Public Works Director Ken Davies presented an overview of the City's water conservation program, including state requirements for distribution system leakage (maintained below 10%), customer metering, conservation targets, and additional measures (low-flow fixtures, usage history on bills, computerized irrigation). The public hearing opened at 7:07 PM and closed with no comments. Council expressed support. - Donation to Puyallup Main Street Association: City Manager Steve Kirkelie proposed a $100,000 B&O tax credit contribution (net cost $25,000). Council discussed the program's history, potential future increases, and encouraging private-sector participation. Councilmember King and Finance Director Barbara Lopez noted that $100,000 is the current maximum available through the state program. The motion passed 7-0. - Volcanic Lahar Impact Report: Emergency Management Manager Kirstin Hoffmann presented a study on potential impacts of a no-notice lahar from Mount Rainier, based on 2022 USGS data. Key findings: approximately 41% of Puyallup's population (17,400 residents) and 44% of the workforce live or work in the lahar zone; 81% of public administration workers are in the zone. The report assessed infrastructure risks and highlighted that critical communications and IT backups are located outside the hazard zone. Council discussed evacuation planning, public education, multilingual alerts, and accessibility. An upcoming regional evacuation exercise on April 23, 2026, will involve over 50,000 students and staff. - America 250 Celebration & 2026 World Cup Update: Public Affairs Officer Eric Johnson presented plans for a July 4, 2026 celebration at Pioneer Park (4-7 PM) to be organized by the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce at a cost of $81,398 from Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) funds. LTAC committee opposed using LTAC funds due to limited tourism impact (event primarily local). Council debated event scope, duration, and coordination with other groups (farmers market, VFW, cruise groups). Concerns were raised about the short timeline (101 days left). Council approved the funding 7-0 after a motion to call the question. - Allocation of Additional Parklets: City Clerk Dan Vessels reported that LTAC committee had no objections to using LTAC funds for three additional parklets. Ten applications were received for ten parklets (five on Meridian, five off-Meridian). Council directed that up to six parklets be allocated on Meridian, with any unallocated Meridian parklets available elsewhere in the permitted area. Motion passed 7-0. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved 7-0. - Donation to Main Street Association: Approved $100,000 contribution 7-0. - America 250 Celebration Funding: Approved $81,398 to Chamber 7-0. - Parklet Allocation: Motion to allocate up to six on Meridian passed 7-0. - Councilmember Kastama acknowledged the passing of longtime community member Mury Swanson. - Councilmember Adler reported on a National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C., noting that Congresswoman Strickland secured $850,000 for the Meeker Street project and supported a $2.3 million request for the Fruitland sidewalk improvement project. - Councilmember King echoed the federal funding report and encouraged all councilmembers to attend future National League of Cities conferences. - Mayor Witting announced his resignation from the Unified Regional Authority on Homelessness due to time constraints and concerns about the group's direction. - The meeting adjourned at 9:32 PM after an executive session (8:30-9:04 PM) to evaluate complaints against a public officer.

The Design Review & Historic Preservation Board met on March 19, 2026, at 4:05 PM, adjourning at 5:45 PM. Board members present: Chair Kris Stamon, Vice Chair Paige Rooney, Ajay Garg, Abdul Khan (left at 4:50 PM), and Shelly Schlumpf (arrived at 4:30 PM). Absent: Matthew Pitts and Diana Wolfe. Staff present: Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca, Planning Manager Katie Baker, Senior Planner Kendall Wals, and Assistant Planner Jillian Hulse-Lew. The meeting included elections, approval of minutes, and two worksession topics: a design review application for the Firehouse Pet Shop and a comprehensive update to the city's Design Review Standards. Consent Calendar - Agenda approved as amended (swapping items 8.a and 8.b) by a 4-0 vote. - Kris Stamon elected Chair by a 4-0 vote. - Paige Rooney elected Vice Chair by a 4-0 vote. - Minutes of February 19, 2026, approved by a 4-0 vote. Public Comments & Testimony No public comments were submitted. Discussion Items - Design Review Application – Firehouse Pet Shop Façade Improvements (Permit PLDDG20260006): Assistant Planner Jillian Hulse-Lew presented the proposal for the building at 203 West Stewart, constructed in 1924 and classified as a character structure. The project includes replacing existing T-111 siding with American Fiber Cement Atina NXT panels and factory-seam metal siding, installing new aluminum storefront windows and a door. Owner Brian Cody described his plans to waterproof the building and improve its appearance while preserving a red firehouse theme. Board members expressed support for the project. A motion to approve the application as presented passed 6-0. - Design Review Standards Update: Senior Planner Kendall Wals introduced the draft update, presented by Bob Bengford of MAKERS Architecture & Planning. The update aims to comply with HB 1293 by making design standards clear and objective. Key elements include a new block frontage map categorizing streets into storefront, landscape, mixed, and unspecified frontages; specific storefront transparency (60% between 30 inches and 10 feet), weather protection, and minimum floor-to-ceiling heights (15 feet for Class A, 12 feet for Class B); through-block connection requirements; and building articulation metrics (maximum intervals of 30–75 feet depending on context). The draft also establishes a voluntary departure process for flexibility. Board members discussed materials restrictions (e.g., fiber cement panel limitations on ground floors), parking garage design, and the need for clear intent statements for departure standards. The board was asked to provide feedback within two to three weeks. Key Outcomes - Agenda approved with amendment to swap worksession items. - Kris Stamon elected as Chair, Paige Rooney as Vice Chair. - February 19, 2026, minutes approved. - Firehouse Pet Shop façade improvements design review application approved (6-0). - Board members to submit comments on the Design Review Standards Update draft by early April 2026. - Staff noted no pending design review applications for the next meeting, with a possible meeting cancellation.

The Puyallup Library Advisory Board met in person in the Puyallup Library Board Room on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:39 p.m. Chair Melanie Fuemmeler presided; Vice Chair Justine Ziemer and Board Members Sarah Weishaar and Kimberlee Gerstmann were present. Board Member Alice Ferguson was absent. Library Director Nicole Erickson and Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca represented staff. The board approved routine items, adopted a revised Meeting Room Policy, and received updates on library operations, the Friends of the Library, and the Library Foundation. Consent Calendar - Approved the March 16, 2026 agenda as published by a 4-0 vote. - Re-elected Melanie Fuemmeler as Chair on a motion made by Fuemmeler and seconded by Ziemer; passed 4-0. - Re-elected Justine Ziemer as Vice Chair on a motion made by Weishaar and seconded by Ziemer; passed 4-0. - Approved the January 5, 2026 draft minutes on a motion by Weishaar, seconded by Ziemer; passed 4-0. Public Comments & Testimony - No citizen comments were offered at the meeting, and no written comments had been submitted to the City Clerk's Office. Discussion Items - Meeting Room Policy Update & Review: Library Director Nicole Erickson presented the 2026 revision of the combined meeting room and study room policy. Changes include: removing the routine use of the movable divider in the meeting room because it is unwieldy and has injured four staff members; allowing study room reservations to be canceled when a group arrives more than 30 minutes late; requiring a verified library card in good standing for meeting room reservations; continuing to allow food and drinks; retaining online reservations, with meeting rooms limited to one booking per month and study rooms to one 3-hour slot per day; and adding posted room-reset guidelines, including a photo guide limiting chair stacks to five high. The policy was reorganized into two pages. Board members asked about food and drink, online reservations, and posted guidelines. The board approved the policy update 4-0. - Library Director's Report: New people counters have been installed at the library entrances; unlike the older laser-beam units, the new counters scan head and shoulders, distinguish arrivals from departures, and provide more accurate reporting for staffing, hours, program evaluation, and grant applications. The library is hiring a library assistant because of an internal transfer. Monthly statistics show circulation is up even though door counts are slightly down, meaning patrons are borrowing more per visit; card holders total 70,434. The children's area improvement project, funded by a Puyallup River Watershed grant, will add decorative and safety-oriented elements; the first piece is arriving early because of a grant reporting deadline, with the remainder expected by the end of August. The library director expressed that the project will be implemented incrementally over multiple years and that another grant is being pursued. - Friends of the Library Report: The Friends are operating well, managing donations and reporting book sale revenue weekly, and have resumed accepting donations after clearing a surge. The next book sale is April 18. The Friends are actively seeking volunteers because many members are retired and there are concerns about succession planning. - Library Foundation Report: The Foundation's silent reading event at the Lazy Ballerina was well attended. The Foundation is focusing on supporting a public recording studio by converting a study room into an ADA-accessible space. The plan includes purchasing a Zen sound booth and seeking a state library capital facilities grant for matching funds; a $20,000 donation was noted, with the hope of doubling it to $40,000 for the booth next year. Board members said the studio would benefit patrons who already use study rooms for music despite noise issues from glass doors. In response to a question about Library Giving Day, Director Erickson explained the library cannot fundraise directly but can post informational materials, while the Foundation posts materials with QR codes; the Foundation is working to strengthen its Instagram presence. - Board Member Comments: Members discussed Washington statewide reciprocal library card programs, noting that residents can obtain multiple cards from different library systems. Director Erickson explained differences in funding and reciprocity, gave Fircrest as an example of a community that pays for Pierce County library service, and noted Puyallup does not offer interlibrary loan but uses a patron-driven purchase request program instead. Key Outcomes - Approved the updated Meeting Room Policy for 2026 by a 4-0 vote. - Re-elected Chair Melanie Fuemmeler and Vice Chair Justine Ziemer. - Confirmed the next regular in-person board meeting for May 18, 2026. - Meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m.

The Fire Pension Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM in City Hall Conference Room 503. Board members present were Finance Director Barbara Lopez, Curt Vandver, and City Clerk Dan Vessels Jr. (acting as chair in Mayor Whitting's absence). All votes were unanimous 3-0. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Motion by Vandver, second by Lopez, passed 3-0. - Approval of December 11, 2025 Minutes: Motion by Lopez, second by Vandver, passed 3-0. Discussion Items - Financial Update (as of February 28, 2026): Finance Director Lopez reported that the pension fund ended 2025 with just under $1,000,000. The city opted not to make its typical $80,000 contribution, instead drawing slightly on the fund balance. For 2026, the fund is projected to close at approximately $900,000, with steady revenue from the fire insurance premium tax and interest income. The board learned that the city has engaged Milliman Actuarial Services to perform the required biennial actuarial study, with results expected within approximately three months. The board approved the financial report. - Fire Pension Calculations (as of January 1, 2026): Lopez presented the annual pension calculations, which incorporate final wage data from Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. Board member Vandver raised questions about two retirees: Richard Carmen's listed rank (assistant chief) and Marlin's pension calculation. Lopez clarified that Marlin's pension is based on a non-duty disability retirement and is adjusted by CPI rather than tied to current Central Pierce wages. The board accepted the calculations as presented. Key Outcomes - Approved Financial Report (motion by Vessels, second by Vandver, 3-0). - Approved Fire Pension Calculations (motion by Vandver, second by Vessels, 3-0). - Set 2026 Meeting Dates: Per Mayor Whitting's request, remaining 2026 meetings will be held on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays. The dates are June 9, September 8, and December 8, all at 11:00 AM in Conference Room 503, subject to notice of any scheduling changes (motion by Vandver, second by Lopez, 3-0). - Adjournment: 11:07 AM.

The Puyallup Council Salary Commission met on March 12, 2026, at 5:05 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, with 4 of 5 commissioners present (Commissioner Veal absent). The meeting was called to order and adjourned at 5:12 PM. The commission re-elected its chair, elected a new vice chair, approved past minutes, and set its 2026 meeting calendar, including a public hearing. Elections and Approvals - Election of Chair: Commissioner Stephanie Holmes was re-appointed as Chair by a motion from Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Garg. The motion passed 4-0. - Election of Vice Chair: Commissioner Ajay Garg was appointed Vice Chair by a motion from Chair Holmes and seconded by Commissioner Garg. The motion passed 4-0. - Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved by a motion from Commissioner Garg, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, passed 4-0. - Approval of Minutes: The October 28, 2025 minutes were approved by a motion from Chair Holmes, seconded by Commissioner Ruff, passed 4-0. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were received. Discussion Items - Setting the 2026 Meeting Calendar: The commission discussed scheduling two required meetings (per Puyallup Municipal Code) for the remainder of 2026. One meeting must include a public hearing. Commissioners preferred using the October budget study session to inform their decisions. They agreed to hold the first meeting on July 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM, with a public hearing, and the second meeting on October 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The motion was made by Commissioner Ruff, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, and passed 4-0. - Staff Report: Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca noted that the comparables chart and population update (available after April 1) would be prepared for the July meeting. Staff would conduct outreach to comparable cities before then. Key Outcomes - The commission re-elected Stephanie Holmes as Chair and elected Ajay Garg as Vice Chair. - The 2026 meeting calendar was set: July 29 (public hearing) and October 21, both at 5:00 PM. - All motions passed unanimously (4-0). - The next steps include staff preparing comparable city data and publishing the public hearing notice before the July meeting.

Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as March 10, 2026, but the user instructions specify using March 12, 2026. This summary is based on the actual meeting content of the March 10, 2026 meeting, as reflected in the transcript. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) met to develop a scoring matrix for allocating lodging tax funds. The meeting included introductions, discussion of sample rubrics from other cities, debate over the relative weight of room-night generation versus community vitality, and a plan to test proposed criteria against past applicants. Consent Calendar - None. No consent calendar items were presented. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were read or presented during the meeting. Written comments had been accepted via email prior to the meeting but were not brought up. Discussion Items - Introductions: Committee members introduced themselves, including hotel representatives (Tani Cashow – Hampton Inn, Jason Seuss – Fairfield/Hollander Hospitality), event organizers (Kim Field – all things fun sports, Scott – firefighter and parade director), and county tourism leader (Dean Burke – Visit Tacoma Pierce County). - Scoring Matrix Development: The committee reviewed sample rubrics from the cities of Everett, Lacey, Port Townsend, and Renton. Mayor Winning (Ned) stated the objective is to create a consistent evaluation framework, noting that 55% of funds are allocated by the city council and 45% by this committee. He also expressed frustration that the council sometimes uses LTAC funds for projects with weak tourism ties (e.g., arches over Meridian). - Heads in Beds vs. Community Vitality: Hotel representatives (Jason, Tani) argued for prioritizing room-night generation. Others, including Kim Field and Mayor Winning, argued that community vitality events (e.g., Daffodil Parade, farmers market) are also important, even if they do not directly fill hotel rooms. Dean Burke noted that rubrics vary; some weight hard metrics (room nights) heavily, others include soft metrics (community value, sentiment). - Definitions and Metrics: Renee (city staff) clarified that state law (RCW 67.28.080) defines tourism broadly, including sales of overnight lodging, meals, tours, gifts, or souvenirs. The 50-mile radius is used for state reporting but is not a hard rule for eligibility. The committee discussed challenges in tracking visitor zip codes and hotel impacts, especially for day events. - Evaluation of Past Applicants: The committee listed the nine organizations that applied for LTAC funds in the last cycle (e.g., All Things Fun Sports, Arts Downtown, Daffodil Parade, Meeker Mansion, etc.). Mayor Winning suggested applying the proposed scoring criteria to these past applicants to see how they score and whether the outcomes align with committee goals. - Legacy vs. New Events: Discussion arose about creating a “legacy” bucket for long-standing community events that may never be self-sustaining, versus funding new events with a path to self-sufficiency. The hoteliers expressed that some events claim hotel occupancy that may not be attributable to them. - Next Steps and Homework: The committee agreed to a “homework assignment” rather than finalizing a rubric immediately. Scott volunteered to consolidate the four city rubrics into a single sheet of comparable criteria. Dan (city staff) will provide the committee with the detailed application packets from last year so they can score each applicant against the unified criteria. Key Outcomes - Unanimous agreement to proceed with a two-step process: (1) Scott will create a unified scoring sheet merging common elements from the Everett, Lacey, Port Townsend, and Renton rubrics, and (2) Dan will distribute last year’s application packets to committee members for review. - Deadline: Scott aims to complete the consolidated rubric by the end of the week (he noted travel plans to Houston). Dan will send the application packets later that day or the next morning. - Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 24, 2026, where the committee will review the scoring sheet and apply it to past applicants to test its suitability. - No formal votes were taken; all decisions were by consensus. Discrepancy note: The meeting agenda and transcript indicate the meeting occurred on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The user instructions override this date to March 12, 2026. The summary above reflects the content of the March 10 meeting.

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.