Since November, the city Planning Commission has been hard at work updating the city’s zoning code. The permitted and conditional uses haven’t been reviewed in over a decade and are in need of an overhaul. Now the Community Development Department is seeking comments on those proposed updates.

The Planning Commission carefully evaluated all uses, determined which uses could be allowed without a conditional use permit and public hearing, and updated the draft accordingly. The draft update does not reduce requirements for uses that would detrimentally affect the city as a whole or be incompatible with adjacent uses.

City officials expect the zoning code update will make it easier to establish manufacturing, tourist and entertainment type businesses in commercial and industrial zones. In addition to reducing red-tape, the zoning code will be easier to read and understand, and obsolete and incorrect references will be cleaned up.

Some of the highlights of the update include the following:

• Wineries, breweries, distilleries and wholesale bakeries would be allowed as permitted uses in a wider range of zones. Currently these uses are conditional uses allowed only in the Light Industrial zone after a public hearing.

• Research and development and aerospace manufacturing would be added as new uses and allowed as permitted uses in several commercial and industrial zones.

• Bed and breakfast establishments with only two guest rooms would be allowed without a conditional use permit and public hearing.

• Live-work developments would be allowed in multi-family zones.

The full text of the updates can be found on the city of Enumclaw website at www.cityofenumclaw.net. Comments can be provided to the Community Development Department on or before June 26 or at the Planning Commission hearing on June 27.

To learn more about this project or to provide comments, contact:

Erika Shook, AICP

Community Development Director

1309 Myrtle Avenue

Enumclaw, WA 98022

Office: (360) 825-3593 ext 5725

eshook@ci.enumclaw.wa.us