Planning and Community Development Committee - 2026-02-03
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Snohomish County Planning and Community Development Committee advanced several ordinances to public hearing, including a significant streamlining of commercial and industrial zone permitting that would replace dual site plan approvals with a single official site plan process, using a 5-acre threshold to distinguish Type 1 from Type 2 permits. The committee also moved forward fee updates for transportation review permits (increasing cost recovery from 33% to 55%), miscellaneous development fees, and townhome permit consolidation. Additionally, the committee approved environmental site assessment funding for a potential 3.23-acre Air National Guard parcel acquisition at Beverly Park Road and 11th Street in Southwest Everett.
Key Decisions (7)
Commercial/Industrial Zone Streamlining Ordinance 26-002
Ordinance to streamline permitting in commercial and industrial zones by replacing preliminary and final site plan approvals with a single official site plan requirement. Projects under 5 acres would be Type 1 permits; 5 acres or larger would be Type 2 permits. Also clarifies that rural commercial zones (Rural Business, Clearview Rural Commercial, Rural Freeway Services) are treated as commercial for setback purposes, and rural industrial zones as industrial. Eliminates hearing examiner approval for landscape screening decisions in general commercial zones.
Transportation Review Fee Update Ordinance 26-003
Ordinance to update development permit fees for transportation review under Snohomish County Code 13.110.03. Fees have not been updated since as early as 1991. Proposed increase would bring cost recovery from approximately 33% to 55%. Stakeholder feedback was solicited including from Snohomish County Builders Council and Master Builders Association with three presentations in 2025.
Miscellaneous Development Fees Update Ordinance 26-004
Ordinance to update miscellaneous fees in Snohomish County Code 30.86, including new sections for administration fees (30.86.050) and landslide hazard deviations, channel mitigation reviews, and zero rise analysis (30.86.520). Also amends fees for permitting signs and EDS deviation fees.
Townhome Permit Fee Consolidation Ordinance 26-005
Ordinance to amend development permit fees for townhomes by eliminating separate mechanical and plumbing permits and aligning with residential building permit, streamlining the permit and inspection process.
Environmental Site Assessment for Air National Guard Parcel - Motion 26-041
Authorization for executive to send task assignment for Phase 1 and 2 environmental site assessment by Haley and Aldrich for $53,894.36. Assessment is for due diligence on potential purchase of 3.23-acre wooded parcel owned by Air National Guard at intersection of Beverly Park Road and 11th Street in Southwest Everett. Site includes wetlands.
Airport Environmental Legal Services Amendments - Motions 26-046, 26-047, 26-048
Three contract amendments with Hillis Clark Martin Peterson for environmental legal services at Paine Field Airport. Motion 26-046 adds $80,000 for Southeast areas (total $450,000). Motion 26-047 adds $75,000 for various areas (total $775,000). Motion 26-048 updates rates for Building C1 area. All include 2026-2027 rate schedules.
Low Income Weatherization Program Grant Amendments - Motions 26-058, 26-050
Two amendments to Puget Sound Energy grant contract for low income weatherization program. Amendment 15 adds $100,000 for 2025. Amendment 16 adds $2,070,338.19 for 2026 grant award.
Development Activity (1)
Air National Guard Parcel Acquisition
3.23-acre wooded parcel with wetlands, currently owned by Air National Guard. Environmental site assessment authorized for $53,894.36 as part of purchase due diligence.
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
County is streamlining commercial and industrial permitting by eliminating dual site plan approvals and reducing hearing examiner requirements, indicating effort to accelerate business development.
Infrastructure
Transportation review permit fees increasing from 33% to 55% cost recovery, with fees not updated since as early as 1991, suggesting increased development activity straining county review capacity.
Housing Demand
Townhome permit process being streamlined by consolidating mechanical and plumbing permits into residential building permit, indicating continued focus on housing production efficiency.
Commercial Demand
Parking requirements for storage facilities identified as potentially excessive, with county currently working on parking code update that may reduce requirements.