Scott Black

The City of Stanwood's Strategic Plan serves as a foundational roadmap guiding future decisions, annual goal setting, budgeting, and policy making. Developed in conjunction with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, it integrates mission, vision, and values derived from extensive community outreach, including public surveys, open houses, focus groups, and stakeholder discussions.

The committee discussed several initiatives including a proposal to formally establish the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee as a City commission, the resolution of an encroachment issue involving property staking, and public input strategies for regional growth planning. Additionally, the meeting addressed efforts to streamline the special events permit process and reviewed the final plat status for the Cedarhome Square Phase III residential project.

The meeting included the election of a Chair and Vice-Chair for the year. A public hearing was held regarding the Hamilton Landing Park development, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Hamilton Landing Access project, and the Irvine Slough Stormwater Separation Phase I project. Discussion topics also included the annual work plan, focusing on code amendments, the Comprehensive Plan update, and flood plain regulation updates. Additionally, the commission reviewed potential updates to park impact fees, including rate analysis and proposals for more transparent fee calculations, and addressed a scheduling change for a future meeting.

The committee discussed a donation request for the Idler's Car Show, clarified the building area calculation for cottage housing, and reviewed final edits for the Traditional Neighborhood zone development standards, including residential unit mix and commercial use allowances. Additionally, the committee addressed a proposed contract amendment regarding the SR 532 Flood Berm project, requesting a review of the contract overage with the city attorney before reporting back to the City Council.

The committee discussed several key items, including the proposed Schmakeit annexation and its potential fiscal impacts. Proposed edits to development regulations for the sign code and Traditional Neighborhood zone were reviewed, with the committee expressing support for specific options. Additionally, miscellaneous code changes were addressed, such as lot frontage requirements, building height allowances for high schools, and updates to the zoning use table to include new facility definitions and permitted uses. The Planning Commission 2017 Work Plan was also reviewed and supported, with a recommendation for additional flexibility in assignments.