Summary

Council Advances New Residential Zoning

KelsoOct 7, 20252 min read

At a glance

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Council approved the first reading of a zoning and comprehensive-plan change for two parcels, moving them from commercial and regional-commercial designations to low-density residential and single-family zoning with a 5,000-square-foot minimum lot size. The vote was 6-1.

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City Council

Topics discussed

Budget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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What this means

The zoning change advances but is not yet a final approval. If adopted, the two parcels could be used for low-density, single-family residential development instead of their current commercial designations. Council also authorized an agreement for jail detention services and approved a revised lodging-tax distribution list for review by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.

Key decisions

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Approved the first reading of an ordinance changing the comprehensive-plan and zoning designations for parcels 239230100 and 21493 from commercial and regional commercial to low-density residential and residential single-family, with a 5,000-square-foot minimum lot size; the vote was 6-1.
Authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement for jail detention services; the motion passed unanimously.
Adopted a council purpose statement opposing violence as a council goal; the motion passed unanimously.
Removed S’quatcfest from the 2026 lodging-tax distribution list by a 4-2 vote, then approved the amended list by a 5-1 vote. The list included $100,000 for Tam O’Shanter Park and $25,000 for the Kelso Highlander Festival and will be sent to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for review.
Approved the first reading of a franchise ordinance allowing Forged Fiber 37, LLC, to construct, operate, maintain, and use telecommunications facilities in City of Kelso rights-of-way; the motion passed unanimously.
Approved the first reading of an ordinance adding a section on anticipatory offenses to Kelso Municipal Code Chapter 9.04; the vote was 6-1.

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