Granite Falls schedules Jan. 21 hearing on zoning code and impact-fee updates

Planning Director Amy Hess reviewed proposed amendments to Granite Falls Municipal Code Title 19, the city’s Unified Development Code, and discussed related changes stemming from recent Washington State legislation affecting Title 21 (impact fees) at the Jan. 14 joint work session.

Hess told the council the amendments are intended to ensure consistency with the City’s adopted 2024 Comprehensive Plan and to improve clarity and processes in the development code. Staff reported that a SEPA determination has been issued and that one public comment was received following notice. The proposed amendments were submitted to the Washington State Department of Commerce for a 60-day review period; staff recorded one agency comment during that review.

The Planning Commission held a study session and a public hearing and recommended the amendments to the City Council. Amy Hess said the City Council would hold a public hearing on the amendments on Jan. 21, 2026; the transcript shows the current work session served as a council study session in advance of that hearing.

The meeting record does not include final ordinance text, specific impact-fee schedules, or a council vote. Any substantive changes to land-use regulations or impact fees will be decided after the Jan. 21 public hearing and any subsequent Council deliberations.

Residents and stakeholders may present oral or written testimony at the scheduled Jan. 21 hearing; staff did not report additional dates for final action in the transcript.