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Long Range Planning
With the input from you the public, the Planning Commission, Parks Board, and City Council, this team of planners look to the future to prepare the city’s land use plans and municipal code amendments for future development. See the 2020 Work Plan here.
Special Plans | Subarea Plans |
Code Development
The city is currently in the process of developing or has recently completed several codes to implement the comprehensive plan, related special plans, and state law. Click on the projects below to learn more about them.
Planning Commissions recommends proposed amendments to LSMC 14.44.064 at April 20 public hearing; City Council seeking additional input before scheduling public hearing
The city adopted supplementary use regulations for tourist homes in 1998 (LSMC 14.44.064), which have remained unchanged even as the popularity of short term rentals (STRs) has increased exponentially. The city is currently considering amendments to LSMC 14.44.064 to modernize the code language and respond to community concerns. The Planning Commission was introduced to the topic on December 1, 2021 and held a follow-up discussion on February 2, 2022, before reviewing draft code language at their March 16, 2022 meeting.
On April 20, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to review the proposed amendment (LUA2022-0046) and take public comment. After hearing a short presentation from staff, hearing from five members of the public and delibearing on the proposal, the Commission voted to recommend to City Council that they approve LUA2022-0046 as shown below under "Draft Regulations".
The City Council is required to hold a public hearing to consider the Planning Commission's recommendation. Before that occurs, the City Council has requested that staff solicit additional public input on the proposed code language, which can be found below under "Draft Regulations". Members of the public are encouraged to provide comments via email (dlevitan@lakestevenswa.gov) or mail (Attn: David Levitan, 1812 Main Street, PO Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258) by May 30, 2022.
For more information, please contact Planning Manager David Levitan at dlevitan@lakestevenswa.gov or 425-622-9425.
Code Development Process | |||
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Draft Regulations | State Environmental Policy Act | Public Notice | |
Draft Amendments to LSMC 14.44.064 | Categorically exempt under WAC 197-11-800(19)(b) | May 10 City Council Notice of Public Hearing |
Permissible Use Table Update adopted by City Council on November 9, 2021
With commercial land uses in Lake Stevens continuing to expand and the city exploring ways to facilitate greater economic development, staff worked with the Planning Commission and City Council to simplify and improve the permissible use table in LSMC 14.40, which previously included overly detailed uses and antiquated terminology that has required many code interpretations over the years.
Staff held a number of work sessions with the Planning Commission and City Council between December 2020 and August 2021. The Planning Commission held a final work session on August 18 before holding a public hearing on the proposed amendment (LUA2021-0136) on September 15, 2021 (meeting packet). The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the code amendment, and the City Council held a public hearing on October 12, 2021 (continued to November 9, 2021) before adopting Ordinance 1124 (see below).
For additional information on this project, please contact Jill Needham at 425-622-9428 or jneedham@lakestevenswa.gov.
Code Development Process | |||
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Final Regulations | State Environmental Policy Act | Public Notice | |
Ordinance 1124 | Determination of Nonsignificance | October 12 CC Public Hearing |
Nonconforming Code Amendment adopted by City Council on November 23, 2021
In zoning, a nonconformity is an existing lot, structure, or use that fails to comply with existing standards. Staff have fielded numerous nonconforming questions/situations over the last several years which identified the need to provide more clarity to both staff and property owners regarding nonconformities within the city. The purpose of this code amendment was to update and streamline the city’s nonconforming regulations which address existing lots, structures, or uses that fail to comply with existing zoning standards. The code is essentially a complete re-write and reformatting of Chapter 14.32 with revisions to other associated sections of code (LSMC 14.08 and 14.38.017).
Following a number of work sessions, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed code amendments on October 6, 2021, where they unanimously recommended approval. City Council subsequently held a public hearing on November 23, 2021, where they accepted the Planning Commission's recommendation and approved Ordinance 1132.
Code Development Process (Permit #LUA2021-0156) | |||
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Regulations | State Environmental Policy Act | Public Notice | |
Ordinance 1132 | SEPA Exemption | Planning Commission Public Hearing City Council Public Hearing |
SEPA Thresholds Update (Adopted May 11, 2021)
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) evaluates potential environmental impacts associated with governmental decisions such as building permits, land use applications, and code amendments. WAC 197-11-800 includes a list of categorical exemptions for minor new construction (projects exempt from SEPA environmental review) and provides a process for cities to adopt higher flexible thresholds if it can demonstrate that adequate local, state and federal regulations are in place to mitigate any potential environmental impacts for newly exempt projects.
On April 21, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing (video link) on the proposed adoption of SEPA flexible thresholds (LUA2021-0033). The Planning Commission made a unanimous recommendation to City Council, which held their own public hearing on May 11, 2021 (video link); a copy of the staff report and draft ordinance can be found in the May 11, 2021 City Council Agenda. Following public comment and deliberation, the Council adopted Ordinance 1118, with amendments to the single-family and multi-family residential thresholds that had been recommended by the Planning Commission. The updated SEPA thresholds can be found in LSMC 16.04.050.
For more information, please contact David Levitan at dlevitan@lakestevenswa.gov..
Code Development Process (Permit # LUA2021-0033) | |||
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Regulations | State Environmental Policy Act | Public Notice | |
LSMC 16.04.050 | SEPA Checklist and DNS | Notice of Public Hearing and SEPA Threshold Determination |