Two items related to future housing in Enumclaw dominated discussions during the latest gathering of the City Council. While neither item went to a formal vote, each generated comments on both sides.

The first involved a possible zoning amendment for land on Mountain View Drive – a move that would allow higher-density development adjacent to an existing 55-and-older neighborhood; the second was a continuation of talks about granting tax exemptions to developers of multi-family housing.

Regarding the 13-acre Mountain View Drive property, the council simply took input; no future action was scheduled but the item was not killed either.

The parcel is currently identified on the city zoning map as “residential manufactured home park” and the proposed change would shift the designation to “multi-family residential.”

The council heard from two representatives of Integrity LLC, the firm supporting the proposal with an eye toward developing the land.

“We feel it’s a great fit,” said Integrity’s Jeff Potter. “It’s a perfect example of infill, not urban sprawl.” He also noted that the higher-density development would help rectify a deficit (as identified by King County) in certain types of housing.

Also speaking for Integrity was Curtis Lang, who promoted the need for a housing mix in Enumclaw. The city’s businesses need more people to thrive, he said, and the city’s young people should not have to leave town to find appropriate housing.

Those comments were directly at odds with those offered by Fred Brune, owner of the Crystalaire Mobile Home Park. The park includes 122 owner-occupied homes, all single-story structures.

Having a multi-family development sharing a boundary line with senior living would not be compatible, he said, calling the proposed zoning change “a recipe for disaster for the city.” He also questioned the lack of proper transition between the differing land uses.

His views were echoed in several letters sent to the city by Crystalaire residents.

The council approved the proposed zoning change on a first reading; final action is expected to be taken during an upcoming meeting, expected to be Aug. 23.

The possibility of providing tax exemptions for multi-family development (anything more than four units) was carried over from a previous meeting.

Offering a quick review was Chris Pasinetti, the city’s director of community development. He explained the city has the option to adopt a state program which grants tax exemptions in an effort to increase the diversity of housing options; specifically, incentives are tied to making units available to low- to moderate-income households.

The city’s Planning Commission reviewed the idea and forwarded a “do not adopt” recommendation. The commission cited the extensive amount of work that would land in the lap of Pasinetti’s staff and the likelihood that the tax break enjoyed by some would impact all other property owners in the city. Also a factor is the belief that the state Legislature will soon tinker with the program.

As part of a public hearing on the matter, resident Julia Ubbenga voiced her opposition to the proposal. She cited from a city-adopted “vision statement” that recommended Enumclaw work to maintain its rural characteristics.

Promoting multi-family developments, she said, “is contrary to a rural landscape or image.”

Tonya Pettit, who owns both a duplex and fourplex in the city, said the program could be beneficial. The tax incentive could allow owners to improve their rental properties without having to raise monthly rates.

When the council debated the issue, differing views were clear.

Anthony Wright made a personal appeal, citing his own background. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t at least want the option,” he said, noting his belief that people should have the opportunity to live where they desire.

“Are we saying Enumclaw is only for the elite?” he asked.

Councilmen Hoke Overland and Beau Chevassus spoke against the proposal, sharing a concern that other property owners would have to pick up the tab for those receiving an eight- or 12-year exemption from paying tax on buildings (they would still pay taxes on their land).

“My heart goes out to affordable housing,” Chevassus said, but he clarified: as proposed, the measure would not be a tax incentive; rather, it would be a “tax shift.”

Overland agreed, mentioning that he would be willing to consider the proposal again – if the Legislature were to assure that taxes weren’t shifted to all other property owners.

In the end, the item died without council action.

In other items during their Aug. 9 meeting, council members:

■ took the initial step that could lead to Enumclaw City Hall obtaining “landmark” status. The building is celebration 100 years of service to the community and is receiving masonry work (with more to come in future years).

A memo to council from Mayor Jan Molinaro noted that if City Hall is declared a landmark, it qualifies for historic preservation grants that could help pay for future work. ”Submitting a landmark nomination is a specialized task that would be best accomplished using an architect with experience in architectural history,” Molinaro wrote.

Following that lead, the council authorized the expenditure of $10,638 so BOLA Architecture can handle the task. It was noted a grant of $4,200 from King County 4Culture is available to pay a portion of the cost.

■ were introduced to three of the Enumclaw Police Department’s newer employees – Patrol Officer Trevor Pourchot (an Army veteran fresh out of the Police Academy) and a pair of communications officers, Tabetha Daugherty (formerly a dispatcher and reserved officer in Umatilla County, Oregon) and Ryan Storment (most recently with the University of Washington Police Department). Making the introductions were Police Chief Tim Floyd.

■ offered final acceptance of the 2021 “pavement preservation” program, which saw a new surface applied to a pair of busy streets – Roosevelt Avenue between 244th Avenue and Semanski Street and Warner Avenue between Watson Street and 276th Avenue. The work was done by ICON Materials for a final price of almost $256,000. Nearly $135,000 came in the form of a grant from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board and the remaining funds were generated through the city’s Transportation Benefit District.

■ were reminded that the Enumclaw Expo Center is being filled with dogs, their owners and handlers during a nine-day run of the Olympic Kennel Club show. The event kicked off Aug. 14 and will wrap up Aug. 22.