Summary

Auburn Planning Commission (May 5, 2026): Recommends Citywide and Downtown design updates and density bonus code change

AuburnMay 5, 20262 min read

At a glance

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Vice Chair William Stewart opened the May 5, 2026 meeting. Commissioners (Stewart, Berry, Walters, Hiller, Vanderpol) and staff heard presentations on OPMA/parliamentary procedure, Citywide Design Standards, Downtown Design Standards, a Density Bonus for Existing Buildings code update, and a Nonconforming Code update. The Commission unanimously recommended three code updates to City Council, approved prior minutes, and scheduled a public hearing on the Nonconforming Code Update for June 2, 2026. All public hearings at this meeting had no public testimony.

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Planning Commission

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes from the March 3, 2026 Planning Commission meeting (motion carried unanimously, 5-0).
Recommended to City Council the proposed Citywide Design Standards and Related Code Update as presented by staff (motion carried unanimously, 5-0).
Recommended to City Council the proposed Downtown Design Standards Update and Associated Zoning Code Update as presented by staff (motion carried unanimously, 5-0).
Recommended to City Council the Density Bonus for Existing Buildings Code Update as proposed by staff (motion carried unanimously, 5-0).
Scheduled the public hearing for the Nonconforming Code Update (Chapter 18.54) for the next Planning Commission meeting on June 2, 2026.

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Meeting information

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Planning Commission Meeting

May 5, 2026, 7:00 PMcompleted

Agenda

CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to the Planning Commission on any issue.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. 04/07/26 Draft Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BUSINESS ITEM #1
A. City Clerks OPMA and Parliamentary Procedures Staff Introduction/Presentation (Wood) City Clerk to provide an overview of OPMA and Parliamentary Procedures
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #1
BUSINESS ITEM #2
A. Citywide Design Standards Update and Related Code Update Staff Introduction/Presentation (Reed) Staff will present the proposed updates to the Citywide Design Standards and amended code to Planning Commission for a recommendation to City Council.
attachments=6 | reports=1
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #2
B. Public Hearing
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #2
C. Deliberation and Vote
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #2
BUSINESS ITEM #3
A. Downtown Design Standards Update and Associated Zoning Code Update Staff Introduction/Presentation (Tatro) Staff will present the proposed updates to the Downtown Design Standards and amended code to Planning Commission for a recommendation to City Council.
attachments=6 | reports=1
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #3
B. Public Hearing
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #3
C. Deliberation and Vote
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #3
BUSINESS ITEM #4
A. Density Bonus for Existing Buildings Code Update Staff Introduction/Presentation (Goode) The City of Auburn is updating the Density Bonus Code for Existing Buildings as required under HB 1757. This update allows for the density bonuses awarded under Auburn City Code 18.02.067 to expand to the Residential Conservancy Zone, the R-1 Residential Zone, and the R-2 Residential Low Zone. Density bonuses awarded under this code section are required to be within existing buildings and shall not expand the square footage of the building or the building footprint.
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #4
B. Public Hearing
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #4
C. Deliberation and Vote
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #4
BUSINESS ITEM #5
Nonconforming Code Update (Teague) Staff to discuss an update to Chapter 18.54 “Nonconforming Structures, Land And Uses”. A. Staff Presentation
A. Nonconforming Code Update Staff Introduction/Presentation (Teague) Staff to discuss an update to Chapter 18.54 “Nonconforming Structures, Land And Uses”.
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: BUSINESS ITEM #5
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REPORT
ADJOURNMENT