Wenatchee updates zoning, adopts plan focused on housing and infrastructure

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee City Council approved a year-end package of zoning code updates and adopted an updated Capital Facilities Plan, wrapping up months of planning work tied to housing flexibility, development standards, and long-term infrastructure needs.

City staff said the changes are partly driven by new state requirements and partly aimed at removing local barriers that have made some projects harder to permit than intended.

City planners told council the state now requires cities to formally allow “co-living” housing — shared living arrangements where residents occupy individual rooms but share kitchens and common areas.

“We are required by the end of this year to adopt co-living standards or the state law would preempt and take our place,” said Steve Neuenschwander of the Community Development Department.

Neuenschwander said Wenatchee already allows this style of housing under its multifamily code, but the update ensures local rules align with state standards while preserving some local discretion, including open-space requirements.

Another change creates a new zoning definition for vocational and trade schools, separating them from “institutes of higher education.”

Under the old code, staff said, some trade programs were required to obtain conditional use permits even when similar businesses were otherwise allowed outright.

“If you’re cutting hair, you’re permitted — but if you’re teaching someone how to cut hair, you needed a conditional use permit,” Neuenschwander said. “This helps reduce that extra step.”

City staff and the Wenatchee Planning Commission also recommended removing certain high-impact uses from mixed-use zones intended to support housing and neighborhood transitions.

Neuenschwander said some industrial-scale uses, once established, rarely transition out and can block future housing opportunities in areas meant to serve as buffers between residential and commercial districts.

The zoning update also consolidates outdoor storage rules into a single section of code, emphasizing appropriate location and screening for large equipment and material storage in commercial areas.

Other changes simplify monument sign standards, clean up duplicative definitions, and remove zoning-code conflicts that have complicated infill housing and ADU development.

“We’re trying to make sure our code isn’t unintentionally precluding infill from happening,” Neuenschwander said.

Alongside the zoning changes, council adopted an updated Capital Facilities Plan outlining major public investments tied to the city’s budget, utilities, transportation, and parks.

During discussion, councilmembers raised concerns about pavement preservation, noting that the plan shows current funding levels fall short of what’s needed to maintain street conditions.

“One of the things that really concerned me was that 26% of our streets are now classified as poor or very poor,” Councilmember Charlie Atkinson said, calling for a future work session to revisit funding options and priorities.

Two Wenatchee residents spoke in support of the zoning amendments, linking them to education and workforce development.

“This amendment will help in the expansion and modernization for the Wenatchee Valley Tech Center,” said Pete Jelsing, the Center’s Director, adding that the changes benefit students preparing for careers in the trades.

Council approved both the zoning ordinance and the Capital Facilities Plan update by voice vote.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media