Council holds hearing on frontage code changes and adopts sidewalk/complete‑streets amendment

The council conducted a public hearing on ordinance 4848—proposed amendments to frontage improvement requirements for R15/RS12 zones—and heard residents voice concerns about overbuilding, neighborhood character and emergency access.

Deputy Director Craig Raymond summarized staff analysis and tradeoffs, cautioning that exemptions could lower development cost but conflict with the city's complete streets policy and long‑term multimodal goals. “The exemptions would undermine city standards, would conflict with our complete streets policy, potentially create pedestrian traffic safety risks,” Raymond said. After public input and deliberation among council members, Councilman Prowles moved to adopt ordinance 484A amending Pasco Municipal Code related to sidewalks, driveway improvements, concurrency and the complete streets policy; the motion passed 5–1.

Council members said they sought a balance between preserving neighborhood character and ensuring safe, connected infrastructure for future higher‑density development. Council members also asked staff to monitor the ordinance's effects and return with data if adjustments are needed.