Vanessa Dolby — Vanessa Dolby is introduced as the next witness, the director of Community Economic Development for the City of Lacey, and it is noted that she will be appearing by Zoom.
Vanessa Dolby — Vanessa Dolby, Director of Community Economic Development for the City of Lacey, is introduced and then begins her testimony on the Woodland District form-based code.
Vanessa Dolby — Vanessa Dolby concluded her presentation and then answered questions about form-based code. She explained that it can require more direct work with applicants and more time up front to ensure standards are met, while city processing time may remain similar. She also described how form-based code can improve public realm outcomes, increase predictability, and reduce the need for a large use table by focusing on nuisances and compatibility.
Nikki Torres — The witness greeted Senator Torres before beginning testimony.
City of Lacey — The City of Lacey described its Woodland District form-based code effort as a focused redevelopment strategy for the suburban city center and big-box areas with surface parking. The city explained that it developed the code through extensive community engagement, fiscal analysis, and market analysis to ensure the plan was economically feasible and proportionate. The code was applied at a local scale within the Woodland District, divided into three sub-districts with unique standards, and a design firm was hired to create those standards. The speaker then reflected on lessons learned since the process began in 2013, noting that the code has provided flexibility in permitted uses and supported desirable new development, with features like awnings, corner elements, and wide sidewalks helping reflect community goals and improve walkability. At the same time, the city acknowledged tensions between proportional standards, community vision, and business needs, using a gas station redevelopment example, and concluded that the code works best at a small scale and for new development, though some uses still do not fully match the original vision.
City of Lacey planning staff — City of Lacey planning staff explained that the city’s form-based zoning approach is less customer-service friendly than traditional zoning because applicants must understand design standards rather than simply checking a use table, and that applying those standards can still require subjective judgment since sites vary and are not all flat.
Ruben Reeves — Ruben Reeves was introduced and identified himself as the Assistant Secretary for the Licensing Division within DCYF, then indicated that Nicole Rose would introduce herself next.
Ruben Reeves — Referenced as having noted that some areas still have provider shortages.
Nicole Rose — Introduced as Assistant Secretary of Early Learning with DCYF.
Nicole Rose — Introduced herself as Assistant Secretary of Early Learning at DCYF.
Nicole Rose — Referred to as the next speaker who will continue the presentation.
Nicole Rose — Referred to as the person who would talk about future plans for the pre-licensing unit.
Nicole Rose — Invited to explain the training and professional development component.
Nicole Rose — Explained that training and professional development may be provided by DCYF staff or contracted providers.
Nicole Rose — Expected to explain how pre-licensing services may address local regulations.
DCYF representative — Answered questions about the pre-licensure support team staffing and caseload.
DCYF representative — Explained the difference between inquiries and completed applications, and was asked to elaborate on training and professional development.
DCYF representative — Explained that DCYF tracks who exits and who enters the provider market.
HB1648 — Passed last legislative session; directs review of pathways for providers to meet staff qualification requirements and an experience-based pathway for those hired before August 2021.
Javier Valdez — Likely intended reference is 'Senator Bavon'; this appears to be a transcription error and is not confidently matched to the expected member list.
Julia Perez — Julia Perez, a Yakima child care provider and Moms Rising member, introduces herself and testifies about the burdens and barriers she has faced over the past four years while trying to open a much-needed in-home child care facility. She describes the process as exhausting, expensive, and frustrating, and explains that local government requirements have made it difficult to move forward with the business.
Marcella Rodriguez — Named as being with Moms Rising and likely assisting with interpretation.
Juanita Salinas Aguila — Introduced as the next testifier and identified as Associate Director of Programs at Enterprise Community Partners.
Juanita Salinas Aguila / Juanita Celina — Introduced herself as Associate Director at Enterprise Community Partners and said she would speak about building early learning facilities and local barriers and successes.
Enterprise Community Partners — Described the organization's technical assistance work supporting early learning providers and facilities.
Tiny Treasure — Identified as a licensed family child care provider constructing a center in Mountlake Terrace.
Inspire Kids Early Learning Center — Cited as a project example that converted a residential home into a child care center and is now operating.
Jordan Crawley — Jordan Crawley, a Seattle child care provider and director of policy and operations for Alki Daycare, testified that the child care supply crisis is a systems problem driven by structural barriers. He explained that providers face major obstacles finding suitable space, meeting building and fire codes, and complying with outdoor space, parking, and other facility requirements, and suggested reforms such as reducing outdoor square footage requirements in larger cities, allowing public parks or indoor gross motor spaces to satisfy outdoor space rules, and modernizing standards. Crawley then described a specific expansion project for 30 preschool slots that was delayed by months because of fire inspection staffing shortages and repeated scheduling setbacks, ultimately costing nearly $70,000. He concluded by urging reforms to licensing, compliance, zoning, and administrative processes so child care access can expand without sacrificing quality.
SB5509 — Cited as a prior session bill that improved child care access by making it an outright permitted use in most zones.
Julie German-Murray — Julie German-Murray, executive director of the Rosalie Murray Memorial Foundation in Spokane, testified about Birdie’s Nest, an early learning center being developed to provide full-day, full-year, inclusive care and therapeutic services for children with disabilities so parents can work. She shared her background in education and personal experience as a parent of a child with disabilities, including the loss of her daughter Rosalie, which deepened her understanding of families’ needs. She explained that the project began with an early learning facilities pre-development grant, followed by a lengthy site search that revealed how difficult it is for small nonprofits to identify feasible locations, especially when parking and zoning questions require architectural expertise beyond DCYF’s scope. She described connecting with the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest and ultimately identifying Knox Presbyterian Church as the right fit for a mixed-use campus, noting that early city confirmation helped support a capital application. She concluded by emphasizing that the need for inclusive early learning is urgent but the siting and development process is complex, unclear, and risky for smaller providers, and she urged clearer guidance and streamlined permitting support.
Nicole Coleman — Nicole Coleman, planning manager for the City of Poulsbo, opened her testimony by noting her planning background and that she was speaking from a planner’s perspective. She explained that her remarks focus on local street standards and infrastructure requirements that affect housing feasibility and affordability, especially for infill and middle housing. She said the legislature has already addressed some housing cost drivers such as zoning, permitting timelines, and fees, but that frontage improvements remain a major issue. She defined frontage requirements as curb, gutter, sidewalk, driving lane, and possible planting strips, and emphasized that these public-side infrastructure costs, along with private utility delays and requirements, can significantly increase project costs and push developments past financial feasibility. She also noted that Poulsbo’s sewer and water standards date to 2008, while stormwater standards are largely driven by strict, regularly updated state requirements.
property owner — A property owner wanted to keep the existing house and add one lot behind for generational housing.
Lucas de Herrera — Lucas de Herrera is introduced as the managing director of land use and entitlements with Blueprint Capital, then immediately begins his testimony by greeting the committee and thanking members for hearing him.
HB1110 — HB 1110 is discussed as a state-level housing code change that could be strengthened further, with emphasis on its exemption of ADUs from improvement triggers. The discussion also references Bellevue’s code process under HB 1110, tying the bill to local implementation of middle housing frontage and improvement requirements.
HB1337 — Referenced alongside HB 1110 as a bill that could be bolstered by state-level changes.
Jeremy Phoebus — Jeremy Phoebus, principal and owner at KPFF Consulting Engineers, introduced himself and then testified about how current roadway and site design standards often prioritize maintaining vehicle speed rather than true safety, including requirements tied to intersection and site distance and even speeds above posted limits. He also spoke as an employer, saying his highly educated and hardworking staff cannot afford to live in the cities where they work, and implied that policy changes are needed to improve housing access and affordability.
Nicole — Nicole was referenced as having outlined a comprehensive set of required improvements, with the discussion adding that many engineering standards have not changed in a long time.
Jeff Chambers — Jeff Chambers, principal with Packland, is introduced and then testifies about housing-related permitting and development issues. He praises recent housing bills addressing parking and permit reviews, and notes that permit timelines are affecting agencies.
Lucas — Referenced as having previously mentioned Bellevue's approach to frontage improvements.
Jesse Salomon — Jesse Salomon introduced himself as representing Washington’s 32nd District, covering North King and South Snohomish County.
Jesse Salomon — Jesse Salomon is addressed as 'Mr. Chair' during the committee exchange, indicating his role as the chair in the discussion.
Jesse Salomon — Referenced his experience on the Shoreline City Council and compared Lacey's approach to Leavenworth.
Jesse Salomon — Referenced as the chair whose earlier questions were being followed up on.
Jesse Salomon — Referenced as the chair whose earlier questions were being continued.
Jesse Salomon — Addressed as 'Senator Salomon' in the greeting to the committee chair.
Jesse Salomon — Addressed as Senator Salomon in the witness's remarks.
Jesse Salomon — Jesse Salomon, acting as chair, opens a discussion about parking requirements by asking whether anything has changed recently for child care centers. He is then addressed by witnesses as Mr. Chair/Chair Solomon as the parking topic continues.
Jesse Salomon — Thanked the witness, expressed sympathy for her loss, and moved the committee to questions.
Liz Lovelett — Liz Lovelett introduced herself as representing Washington’s 40th District, including San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom County.
Liz Lovelett — Raised a local example involving permitting delays and utility power availability for a child care facility.