Planning Commission Discusses Winslow Zoning Options

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Planning Commission met to discuss options for developing a new Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning program for the Winslow Town Center zones (via CivicClerk). This discussion follows a City Council motion from July 14, 2026, which directed staff and the Commission to work on language and standards for such a program (via CivicClerk). The Commission's recommendations for a MIZ program will be integrated into a revised Draft of Ordinance No. 2026-05 for further Planning Commission and City Council review (via CivicClerk). Previous recommendations from May 21, 2026, had proposed MIZ for properties two acres or greater, but the Council removed this for additional work on June 30, 2026, due to potential complications with a program based on property size (via CivicClerk). Proposed thresholds for the program include a specific number of dwelling units as the applicability threshold and a percentage of dwelling units designated as affordable housing (via CivicClerk).

Meanwhile, the City Council held a study session on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 280 Madison Ave N (via CivicClerk). Ann Bennett, Executive Director of the Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA), provided training on "Council Do's and Don'ts," covering liability exposures for Council members and strategies to avoid liability, including executive session leaks (via CivicClerk). The Council also discussed potential revisions to its Governance Manual concerning social media use, last updated in 2024 (via CivicClerk).

A significant portion of the City Council's study session focused on the Council's budget process, engagement, and priorities for the 2027-2028 biennial budget (via CivicClerk). Financial forecasts predict modest revenue increases, calling for controlled spending (via CivicClerk). Community input gathered through the City's website highlighted Road Maintenance and Infrastructure, Water and Sewer investments, Groundwater Management, and Affordable Housing as top priorities (via CivicClerk). The Council's existing priorities for 2025-2026 include Climate Action Plan implementation, Affordable Housing, City website improvements, Sustainable Transportation Plan implementation, the Comprehensive Plan, Groundwater Management Plan, resolving permit backlog, the Winslow Subarea Plan, an Equity lens, and Road maintenance (via CivicClerk). Staff requested guidance for budget development and will propose a balanced budget for the upcoming biennium on September 22, 2026 (via CivicClerk). The Interim City Manager was directed to work with Council to gather information on priorities and schedule further discussion (via CivicClerk).