City Council Committee Agendas

This meeting was recorded and summarized using AI technology. After a thorough review by staff members to ensure the accuracy, clarity, and relevance of the content, this summary was made publicly available. September 24 th 2025, Development S ervi ces Committee Meeting Comprehensive Plan Update: The Development Services Department is drafting updates to the municipal code to ensure compliance with the Tier 2 “missing middle” housing regulations per State law. The Citizens Advisory Committee is making recommendations on the drafts to the Planning Commission, and the Planning Commission, as the legislative advisory body to the City Council, will make a final recommendation to the policymakers. There was discussion on the timing of adoption of the updates – early 2026 is likely.  Stacie Pratschner confirmed the City Council may update portions of its code annually through the docketing process. Phase I of the Comprehensive Plan update includes updates to the land use, housing, and economic development elements to implement the tier 2 missing middle housing code. o State legislature now requires missing middle housing codes to be adopted simultaneously with related comprehensive plan goals, eliminating previous six- month grace periods. o The City Council will consider a contract amendment with the Department of Commerce for the disbursement of climate planning funds on October 8, and a public kickoff event is tentatively scheduled for November 15 at Mount Vernon Library Commons to introduce the community to the planned work to develop an Environmental Impact Statement for downtown. o Finance reported year-to-date permit and fee revenues at $726,279, trending toward a $1.05 million budget target for 2025, nearly doubling collections from the previous year due to fee adjustments and increased permit activity. o Sewer capacity modeling is underway with Public Works and their consultant, HDR, to assess constraints, especially in the downtown and Upper Uptown areas. Initial findings remain preliminary.  o Phase one of the comp plan update targets completion by December 31, 2025, but code adoption may extend into the new year, with the state’s missing middle housing model code becoming effective if city-specific code is delayed.  The Council and staff discussed the CAC continuing into 2026 for phase two to address broader code updates and support the Planning Commission with goal and policy updates for capital facilities and health elements, ensuring ongoing community input beyond initial housing regulations. Action Items: Stacie Pratschner  Coordinate comprehensive plan updates and sewer model analyses. Stacie followed up after the meeting and sent the requested presentation materials to Councilmember Brocksmith  Council members, including Councilmember Vander Stoep, welcomed the possibility of allowing the Tier 2 state model code to fill gaps if needed, prioritizing accuracy and avoiding rushed adoption. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Policy and Community Engagement Discussion: The council is preparing for an informed policy discussion on permitting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with expert presentations scheduled for October 15.  Staff consulted MRSC and the Department of Ecology and, based on their recommendations, secured a commitment from Robert Knoll from Puget Sound Energy to present the pro-BESS perspective, reflecting utility support and grid planning benefits. o Mayor and council emphasized the importance of hearing balanced views, inviting opposition representatives and firefighters to discuss potential risks and safety concerns, ensuring the community receives a fact-based and comprehensive understanding. o Presentations will be part of a study session without live broadcast, but public comment opportunities will remain available during future council meetings.  o Council agreed on flexible presentation times with a suggested cap of 10 minutes per side, followed by Q&A, to enable thorough discussion without undue time pressure.  Coordination with other departments will streamline scheduling and content, ensuring a focused and informative session that addresses community concerns and technical details. Action Items : Stacie Pratschner & Marianne Manville-Ailes  Organize and manage the battery energy storage systems (BESS) presentation for October 15, including invitations to pro and con speakers and coordination within the Fire Department. Encampments, Transitional Housing, and STEP Code Updates Current shelter and encampment regulations function well but may benefit from streamlined permitting and possible expansion to meet evolving community needs.  The city’s code currently limits temporary encampments to religiously owned properties, with organizations like Welcome Home Skagit successfully managing sites for multiple years, including emergency shelters and cold-weather programs. o Staff proposed extending permit durations for safe parking and cold weather shelters from annual renewals to multi-year terms (3-5 years) to reduce administrative burden and support program stability. o Council members, including Councilmember Vander Stoep, expressed openness to expanding shelter allowances onto publicly zoned properties, contingent on capacity assessments for city management and police resources. o Permit applications require demonstration of responsible management, facility provision (showers, bathrooms), and financial sustainability to avoid public health risks and maintain community standards.  STEP housing regulations will align with state mandates to permit supportive and transitional housing in zones allowing residential use, but do not force housing in industrial zones unless zoning changes occur.  Staff assist organizations in connecting with religious hosts when needed but have no formal list of partners; the council suggested expanding outreach to identify potential collaborators. Action Items: Development Services Staff  Support code amendments for temporary shelter regulations and possible multi-year permits for safe parking and cold weather shelters, study impacts of usage of public land for encampments.