The Tumwater Planning Commission voted Dec. 9 to recommend City Council approve Ordinance O2025-011, the 2025 development-code periodic update, after a staff presentation and a brief public hearing. Vice Chair Brandon Staff moved to forward the ordinance “as presented,” and the commission voted in favor.

Staff summarized the substantive edits in the update and recommended adoption. Eric Smith Erickson, the city’s housing and land use planner, said the code now reduces the minimum lot size for townhouse development to “2,000 square feet” to match an amended minimum lot width and make townhouse standards clearer and more feasible for applicants; he said the minimum lot size for other uses remains 3,200 square feet. “We reduced the minimum lot size to 2,000 square feet to match the minimum lot width that we had amended,” Smith Erickson told the commission.

Smith Erickson also said staff incorporated written comments from the Washington State Department of Commerce, which reviewed the update and provided feedback on accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations. According to staff, the Commerce comments led to revisions clarifying how many ADUs may be permitted on a given lot and to other technical edits. The staff presentation also addressed unit-lot subdivision and 0-lot-line development, with staff stating that the number of 0-lot lines allowed must match the number of units on a lot, and updated parking requirements for projects within a half-mile walking distance of a major transit stop.

On process and timing, staff noted the non-project SEPA application was submitted Oct. 10, 2025, with a determination of nonsignificance issued Oct. 17, 2025 and the comment period ending Oct. 31; the determination appeal period ended Nov. 6. Staff reported a notice of intent was filed with the Department of Commerce on Oct. 13, 2025; Commerce’s 60-day review was scheduled to end Dec. 12, 2025. Smith Erickson recommended the commission forward the ordinance and the staff report to council for formal consideration.

No members of the public offered substantive testimony during the hearing; an online participant identified as Alexander Holt declined when invited to speak. After closing public testimony, the commission deliberated briefly and then voted to forward Ordinance O2025-011 to City Council with a positive recommendation. Chair Elizabeth Robbins declared the motion approved and closed the hearing.

The Planning Commission noted its next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2026; the ordinance will advance to the City Council for final action and any further public hearings required by council procedure.