Comprehensive Plan Amendments

The City wants to hear from the community and this page on Sumner Connects will contain all the important dates for meetings, public comment opportunities and relevant documents. You can also stay informed and engaged through:

• The City’s quarterly newsletter
• Signing up for the City's weekly e-newsletter here
• Following the City of Sumner's Twitter Account
• Clicking here to view all public hearing notices on the City website

Reminder: All comment periods will have opening and closing dates, so you’ll want to check for updates right here on Sumner Connects.

Sumner’s Comprehensive Plan lays out the community’s vision for how we will live, work, get around, and grow over the next 20 years. The Plan contains goals, policies and maps that identify environmental, social, and economic priorities for the future. The various chapters address land use, housing, transportation, and capital facilities. State law only allows the comprehensive plan to be amended once a year with major updates coming every 10 years. This year the City is opening the Plan for community discussion and potential revisions. These revisions may also include changes to the the city's zoning. Zoning within the City controls where commercial, housing, and industry can be located. A major aspect of this year’s amendments is to update the East Sumner Neighborhood Plan, generally the area within a few blocks of the YMCA.

March-April 2021 update

• The City Council held three study sessions and a public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Update proposals, and is tentatively scheduled to take action on May 17, 2021.
• Proposals before the Council for final action include:
  • 2020 Comprehensive Plan policies/text
  • Individual property rezones
  • Minor "housekeeping" updates to Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code
  • Minor updates to critical areas (wetlands) regulations
  • East Sumner Neighborhood Plan Update
  • East Sumner Neighborhood zoning (revised to remove Resource Protection in central wetlands area)
  • East Sumner Planned Action Ordinance
  • Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
  • Documents are available in the Documents Library on the right.
  • East Sumner Neighborhood documents are located on the East Sumner web page at: https://connects.sumnerwa.gov/east-sumner-neighborhood-plan.

  January-February 2021 update

  • The Planning Commission completed its review of the 2020 proposals, and voted to recommend approval to the City Council
  • A Public Hearing with the City Council was held on February 16, 2021. Further discussion will occur during March, with a decision tentatively in April 2021.
  • More information regarding materials reviewed at the meeting is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.

  November-December update

  • The Planning Commission further discussed the proposed updates at a Study Session on December 17, 2020.
  • A Public Hearing with the Planning Commission was held on December 3, 2020. More information regarding materials reviewed at the hearing is posted in the Documents Library in the right-hand column.
  • The SEIS (Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement) was issued November 10, 2020. Comments are due December 10, 2020. Documents are posted under documents library in the right column.
  • The SEIS contains information regarding proposed map changes and changes to policies and regulations. Proposed map changes are shown in the draft Zoning Map below.

  The City wants to hear from the community and this page on Sumner Connects will contain all the important dates for meetings, public comment opportunities and relevant documents. You can also stay informed and engaged through:

  • The City’s quarterly newsletter
  • Signing up for the City's weekly e-newsletter here
  • Following the City of Sumner's Twitter Account
  • Clicking here to view all public hearing notices on the City website

  Reminder: All comment periods will have opening and closing dates, so you’ll want to check for updates right here on Sumner Connects.

  What questions do you have about the 2020 amendments?

  PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY COMMENTS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY TO STAFF BY THE DEADLINE IN THE HEARING NOTICE

  The property in question is 16322 60th st se it seems that it has all been deemed wetland and natural protection area my question is this property has been in the family for over 40 yrs and the city has had atleast 3 different plans if it is all wetlands and the property values plummet will the city being responsible for compinsation thank you

  mccanns asked almost 4 years ago

  There are a number of properties along 60 th Street East, 64 th Street East and 160 th Avenue East that have extensive wetlands in the back of the property. These areas have been wetlands for years, and so have been restricted or unavailable for development. The proposed zoning doesn’t change that. The proposed Resource Protection zone will generally follow the wetlands boundary, while keeping developable areas in the General Commercial zone. The City would be happy to discuss your specific property in more detail; please email Ann at annsi@sumnerwa.gov .

  I own 1616 Main Street residence. The zoning changes for school and city on Main Street and close by seem to be outside the original plan to maintain a neighborhood quality of the area, containing this type of expansion. I am a life time residence of Sumner and would like to offer my residence, at market value if you intend on gutting the Main Street residential area in favor of school and city use. Jim Lindsey

  Jim asked almost 4 years ago

  The proposed zoning changes for the School District property and 4 other commercial sites on Main Street are not intended to change what’s there. These sites are already being used as school sites, or commercial businesses, and the proposal will make the zoning consistent with the uses.

  I live on State Street and would love to know what light industrial is.

  LesleyP26 asked almost 4 years ago

  Light Industrial is one of Sumner’s two “manufacturing districts.” The Light Industrial (M-1) zone is intended to allow light manufacturing and warehousing, and limited commercial uses, that are not detrimental to neighboring commercial and residential districts. Examples of uses allowed in this zone are: Contractor businesses, light manufacturing, assembly or storage of heavy equipment, food packaging plants, warehouse distribution uses, and vehicle repair. Examples of some of the commercial uses allowed: Motel, professional office, restaurant, gas station. A more detailed list of specific uses allowed can be found in the City Zoning Code at: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Sumner/#!/Sumner18/Sumner1818.html#18.18.

  How would changes in zoning for the Knutson Farms affect the parks plan for underserved neighborhood?

  Josh asked over 4 years ago

  That area is identified in the 2018 Sumner Parks and Trails Plan as needing a future park. A change in zoning for the site doesn’t really change the need for a park; whatever the zone, any future development is required to address system-wide parks impacts and Parks Plan policies. If the density on the site is increased, it means the developer will have to do that much more to show how the correct amount of open space is provided to serve residents and to address added impacts to the parks system. The specifics of how that all happens won’t be fully determined at the rezone stage, but will occur more at the time of future development.

  Page last updated: 06 May 2021, 05:23 PM

  Who's Listening

  Ann Siegenthaler Associate Planner City of Sumner

  Phone	253-299-5520
  Email	annsi@sumnerwa.gov

  Lifecycle

  January 2020 - City Council opens the Plan amendment process.

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage This consultation is Open for contributions.

  May 7, 2020 - Planning Commission Docket Approval

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  The Planning Commission will review and approve the list ("docket") of amendments being considered in 2020.

  May and June 2020 - Notice of Applications

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  Notice of Application for site-specific rezone requests will be issued inviting comments from neighbors and the citizens.

  June through August 2020

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage Planning Commission preliminary discussions on proposed amendments at series of Study Sessions.

  September-October 2020 - Preparation of documents

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  Preparation continues on draft Environmental Impact Statement, East Sumner Neighborhood Plan, proposed zoning and regulations.

  October-November 2020 - Community outreach

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  Documents, including draft EIS, draft East Sumner Neighborhood Plan, proposed regulations, are available for community and agency review and comment.

  December 3, 2020 - Planning Commission Public Hearing

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  The Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on the 2020 Comprehensive Plan amendments and making a recommendation to the City Council.

  December 17, 2020 - Planning Commission Study Session

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  January 7, 2021 - Planning Commission Meeting - Recommendations

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  February 8, 2021 - City Council Study Session

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  February 2021 - City Council Public Hearing

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments has finished this stage

  March 2021 - City Council Study Session

  Comprehensive Plan Amendments is currently at this stage

  TBD - City Council Action

  this is an upcoming stage for Comprehensive Plan Amendments

  The City Council will review the Planning Commission recommendation and take action following a Public Hearing.

  Associated Documents

  • Council Packet May 17, 2021.pdf (15.2 MB) (pdf)
  • Sumner Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Final SEIS May 2021.pdf (7.07 MB) (pdf)
  • 2020 East Sumner Neighborhood Plan Update - May 2021 (6.08 MB) (pdf)
  • Notice of Availability-Final SEIS.pdf (163 KB) (pdf)
  • Presentation to Council-March 22, 2021.pdf (6.25 MB) (pdf)
  • Staff Memo to Council-March 10, 2021.pdf (1.29 MB) (pdf)
  • Sumner Comprehensive Plan Responses to Comments-030221.pdf (115 KB) (pdf)
  • Comprehensive Plan 2020 Overview-February 8, 2021 (3.64 MB) (pdf)
  • Council packet -February 8 2021.pdf (6.91 MB) (pdf)
  • Planning Commission packet January 7, 2021 (3.45 MB) (pdf)
  • Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Request for Comments on Scope (91.6 KB) (pdf)
  • Planning Commission packet December 17, 2020 (494 KB) (pdf)
  • Notice of Public Hearing December 3, 2020 (123 KB) (pdf)
  • Planning Commission Agenda Packet Part 1- December 3, 2020 (2.86 MB) (pdf)
  • Planning Commission Agenda Packet Part 2- December 3, 2020 (4.34 MB) (pdf)
  • Background-Planning Commission Agenda Packet- 05-07-20 (569 KB) (pdf)
  • Planning Commission Agenda Packet Part 3- December 3, 2020 (9.86 MB) (pdf)
  • Hearing Notices for Individual Rezone Proposals (624 KB) (pdf)
  • Proposed Zoning Changes Map (1.38 MB) (pdf)
  • Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 2020 (28.2 MB) (pdf)
  • Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Notice of Availability for Review (169 KB) (pdf)
  • Background- Final Volume I: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, February 2015 (18.6 MB) (pdf)
  • Background - Existing Comprehensive Plan 2017 (11.1 MB) (pdf)
  • Background- Draft Volume I: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, February 2015 (41 MB) (pdf)
  • Background- Draft Volume 2: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, February 2015 (28.7 MB) (pdf)
  • Background- Final Volume 2: Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, February 2015 (13.6 MB) (pdf)
  • Background- Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Town Center Plan from 2018 (25.3 MB) (pdf)