Planning commission must receive approval from City Council first

The city of Sedro-Woolley may reevaluate its industrial zoning.

Conflict regarding the proposed site for Deluxe Recycling and Disposal has encouraged the city to take a closer look at the locations of its industrial zones and potential effects on surrounding neighborhoods, city officials said.

The proposed Deluxe site is zoned industrial, but community members have voiced concern regarding its proximity to the high school and residential housing.

The city could potentially prevent future conflict regarding the zone clash by evaluating its industrial zones or modifying the type of industry allowed on specific zones, said Mayor Mike Anderson.

Making those changes, however, begins at the city planning commission level.

Anderson said he has encouraged the city’s planning commission to evaluate the zones sooner rather than later.

“They understand they need to get the ball rolling,” he said.

Planning commissioners addressed that concern during a Sept. 16 meeting.

Commissioners brainstormed items they want to address to help shape future development and the image of Sedro-Woolley. Reexamining industrial zones in the city limits was among those items.

“I’m in favor of looking at changing or refining the zones,” said Planning Commissioner Brett Sandstrom. “As planning commissioners, it’s our job to really define and form what the city looks like.”

It’s a topic that has needed to be addressed, but conflict spurred from the Deluxe scenario has brought it to the forefront of people’s minds, said Jack Moore, city planning director and building official.

Planning commissioners discussed analyzing where different industrial zones are located in the city and how they may affect adjacent property, Moore said. They also discussed the possibility of creating tighter guidelines regarding the types of industry allowed in certain zones.

There are a variety of changes that could be made, Moore said. With City Council approval, industrial zones could be reduced, relocated, exchanged or a combination of the three.

Industrial zones adjacent to residential zones could also be buffered, Moore said. This would entail inserting a transitional zone between industrial and residential zones that would create a gradual shift between the two.

Anderson said historically the City Council has opposed restricting industry.

The planning commission is only in the discussion phase of the possible project. The process will not begin unless directed by the City Council.

An Oct. 7 joint work session between the planning commission and City Council will determine if future steps will be taken. At the work session, the council will examine the planning commission’s brainstormed list and prioritize the items.

Ultimately, it’s the council’s decision if the planning commission can pursue reevaluating the industrial zones, Moore said.

“I would anticipate this being a high priority,” he said.

Both Moore and Councilman Louie Requa said it’s a long, intensive process to modify zone districts. Depending on the type and amount of modifications, it could take six months to a year.

A series of public hearings and discussions would be held. Requa said he was sure a land capacity analysis would need to be conducted.

The analysis is a comprehensive study of every parcel of land and its use within the city.

Regardless of what decisions are made to determine the permitted use and zone changes, a business is going to be affected and someone is always going to be upset, city officials said.

“You’re never going to make everyone happy all the time,” Requa said.

The planning commission’s responsibilities include evaluating the direction of the city and the key is to find middle ground, he said.

It’s a real balancing act, Requa said.

“It’s like doing a handstand on a slack rope — there are some people out there who can do it,” he said.