Carl de Simas

This document outlines the 2026 work program for the City of Pacific's Planning Commission, focusing on key initiatives for community development. The primary areas of focus include completing the Comprehensive Plan periodic update, managing Interim Official Controls for area-wide rezonings, amending childcare center regulations to comply with state law, and updating critical areas ordinances based on current science. Additionally, the plan aims to integrate a climate element into the Comprehensive Plan, address the conversion of non-residential buildings to residential use, and update the Sumner-Pacific Manufacturing-Industrial Center Plan to align with regional growth strategies and reduce emissions. These efforts are designed to ensure responsible growth, environmental protection, and compliance with state regulations.

The meeting commenced with the flag salute led by the Chair. During the Public Comment period, a representative voiced opposition to vertical mixed-use zoning. The Community Development Director provided a Certification Report for the City's Comprehensive Plan. The main discussion in New Business involved an extensive report from the Director regarding the City of Pacific's Mixed Use Corridor: Interim Official Control. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion.

This document is a certification report by the Puget Sound Regional Council regarding the City of Pacific's 2024 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in December 2025. The plan has been certified for substantial consistency with the Growth Management Act, VISION 2050, and the Regional Transportation Plan. Key policy areas addressed include regional collaboration, regional growth strategy with targets through 2044, environmental protection and enhancement, climate change resilience, sustainable land use and development patterns, housing affordability and capacity, economic development, integrated transportation planning, and coordinated public services. The plan emphasizes promoting efficient land use, alternative transportation, affordable housing, economic growth, and environmental stewardship while prioritizing vulnerable communities and ensuring sufficient capacity to accommodate growth targets through 2044.

The agenda for the Pacific City Council Regular Meeting included standard items such as Call to Order, Roll Call, and Audience Comment periods. Staff reports covered updates from the Mayor, City Administrator (including grant awards, risk management recognition, and reorganization efforts), City Clerk (Laserfiche implementation and public records requests), Community Development Director (permit statistics, current commercial projects, a proposed recycling processor site, boundary line adjustment for a Kingdom Hall, and a new fire station proposal, alongside significant efforts to improve public noticing and updates on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update and Interim Official Controls), Finance Director (B&O tax update, payroll processing, accounts payable status, and utility reporting), IT Director (service tickets, Exchange Online migration, and security statistics), and Parks & Recreation Director (recreation programs, Harvest Festival/Trunk or Treat planning, and updates on the Multi-Sport Court project). Old Business was noted as none. Under First Reading of Ordinances, AB25-137a (Public Safety Funding Pathways) did not move forward. Final Reading/Adoption included Ordinance 2025-2112 to amend PMC Chapter 10.07 to include school walk zones in automated traffic safety camera enforcement, which passed. New Business involved approving Resolution 2025-1008 for Reed Construction retainage release for the Seattle & Cedar Water Main Replacement Project. The Consent Agenda covered Claims Vouchers, Payroll Vouchers, approval of previous minutes (October 13, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and Workshop-COW), authorization for MOU regarding Parks & Recreation reorganization, and State of Washington Unclaimed Property resolution.

The Planning Commission's activities in 2025 addressed significant updates to state planning and land use laws. Key accomplishments included updating development regulations to allow middle housing, refining the comprehensive plan for City Council consideration, and exploring alternatives for mixed-use and commercial development along 3rd Avenue and Milwaukee Boulevard. Discussions covered feedback on the draft comprehensive plan update from agencies like PSRC and Pierce County. The commission reviewed and adopted measures to comply with SB 5290 regarding project review and permitting, such as making pre-application meetings optional. In March, the commission decided to allow up to two dwelling units per lot in the RS-6 zone while keeping setbacks and height limits unchanged. The body also reviewed state law SB 6015 concerning parking minimums and considered a draft ordinance to comply with SB 6015, HB 1110, and HB 1330, which aimed to increase residential density and allow larger accessory dwelling units. A hearing was held to recommend the adoption of the middle housing ordinance. Later reviews focused on concepts to encourage commercial development, multi-family design standards, and the final iteration of the comprehensive plan update, which included zoning boundary changes and removing barriers to supportive housing. A hearing on the comprehensive plan update led to a recommendation for adoption by the City Council. Additionally, approaches for updating the critical areas ordinance were discussed, focusing on definitions, wetland mapping, and habitat restoration.