Community Government
City complies with legislation setting guidelines for processing building permits
The Gig Harbor City Council updated the city’s timelines for processing building permits to comply with new state legislation.
The new timelines, approved at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, conform to regulations the Legislature put in place in 2022. The new rules took effect Jan. 1.
They established specific timeframes, including a 60-day processing period for administrative permits such as sign permits and boundary line adjustments (BLAs); 100 days for processing permits that require public notice, such as site plan reviews; and 170 days for permits that need a public hearing, such as rezones and conditional use permits.
The legislation does not cover permits like landmark and historic preservation designations, special-use permits, minor interior alterations, street and alley vacations, annexations and others.
According to Gig Harbor Community Development Director Eric Baker, a number of issues can “stop the clock” on processing times. For instance, if the city returns a a permit application to the applicant for corrections or additional information, the clock stops. It restarts when the applicant resubmits its request to the city.
In addition, more than two rounds of comments or re-submittals adds 45 days to a timeline. Other “clock stop” issues include a need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); third-party reviews such as biological consultations or arborist reviews; and when an applicant requests an extension.
Cities that don’t comply with the new guidelines can be required to return all fees to the applicant.
The council voted 6-1 to pass the ordinance. Councilmember Jeni Woock because she objected to the fee-reimbursement requirement.
Relocation assistance
The council also approved a policy providing relocation assistance for new city employees who must move to Gig Harbor from a distance of 100 miles or more. The new policy provides a maximum reimbursement of $5,000, at the discretion of the city administrator. If the employee leaves or is let go within one year of their employment date, the city is entitled to reimbursement of the relocation compensation.
Moving costs, travel expenses, temporary lodging and other “reasonable” expenses are all eligible for reimbursement. They must be pre-authorized and stated in an official employment offer letter or official city memo from the city administrator or the mayor. The city will not reimburse transportation of boats, RVs firearms, special machinery, outdoor playground equipment, hot tubs and other specialty items.
The council unanimously approved the relocation assistance policy.
Upcoming meetings
The council meets for a study session at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Civic Center on Grandview Street to review updates to the Transportation and the Capital Facilities elements of the comprehensive plan. The next regular council meeting is Monday, Feb. 24. An amendment to the YMCA’s lease for Sports Complex phase 1A will be considered at the Feb. 24 meeting.