Planning and Codes Director (identified in the transcript as Ginger) told the board Feb. 6 that planning has three action items: a resolution of intent to apply for the federal HOME program (R2025-01), an ordinance to amend Title 14, Chapter 1 of the municipal code to reflect recent jurisdictional changes, and the municipal planning commission’s 2024 annual report.

Ginger said the HOME grant opens each February and is federal, no-match funding. The director said the city is applying for up to $750,000 but that awards can be lower (examples given: $500,000 or $250,000) depending on scoring; Petersburg is applying for $250,000 and the county is not applying this year. Notification of awards is expected in late May and the grant budget begins July 1; projects funded by a HOME award typically span three years.

On code changes, Ginger said Ordinance 2025-02 modifies the municipal code to reflect that the county’s subdivision regulation changes have shifted certain authorities back to the county; the ordinance removes regional-planning references and adjusts residency requirements for planning-commission membership so members may be Lincoln County residents rather than limited to the urban growth area. The ordinance would amend the municipal code; appointment powers and related planning-commission bylaw changes will follow.

Ginger also presented the Municipal Planning Commission's 2024 annual report (monthly approvals, projects, membership and goals). The commission plans a year-long zoning update to clarify permitted uses and setback requirements after completing a sign-ordinance update the prior year.

Planning staff reported three commercial approvals from the January planning commission: the cell-tower site construction plan associated with Riverside Christian Academy (building permit expected within approximately one to one-and-a-half months), a three-unit townhome building by Don Gray, and 12 additional storage units for an RV/storage facility owned by Matt McCallister — building permits are expected soon for those projects. Staff also said a property-maintenance inspector job posting should go live imminently.

The board was asked to move the HOME intent resolution, the Title 14 code amendment and the annual report to the regular meeting for formal action; no votes were taken in the work session.