EVERETT — The Mukilteo City Council unanimously approved a small change to the city’s zoning codes on Monday to streamline the construction of upgrades at schools.
The amendment allows small upgrades or expansions of existing schools as a “permitted use” under city law, rather than a “conditional use” which requires a review under Mukilteo’s hearing examiner.
Those review processes are useful when building brand new schools or making major adjustments, city staff wrote in a memo. But they can be a burden when looking to add on small upgrades, staff wrote. Under current city law, even the smallest changes, such as adding a portable classroom, require a hearing examiner review. Those reviews can cost thousands of dollars and take months to complete, according to city staff.
“We were looking for ways to try and expedite this process for small projects,” Mukilteo Planning Manager Kristina Cerise said at Monday’s meeting.
For small expansions, the conditional use requirement “adds time and expense to an application without providing much value,” Mukilteo’s planning commission wrote in its recommendation to approve the ordinance. The commission said Mukilteo’s existing zoning standards and environmental regulations already provide adequate protection for minor expansions, even if those are reviewed administratively.
Under the new law, upgrades allowed as a permitted use can’t add more than 15 percent to the existing gross floor area or add more than 15 percent to the student capacity. The upgrades must also be within 100 feet of currently developed areas and at least 35 feet from adjacent property lines.
“This will be a great savings, both in time and money,” said Laura Brent, a planning consultant with the Mukilteo School District.
Other local agencies have undertaken similar measures to cut red tape from certain permitting requirements. In March, the Snohomish County Council voted to define child care centers as a permitted use in some areas, removing the requirement for hearing examiner review.
Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.
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