Home to Storefront Pilot (Commercial Fee Relief)

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names, numbers and details may be misheard.

What: Councilmember Soni proposed a $250,000 seed fund to help home-based businesses move into storefronts; staff countered with a $50,000 pilot.
Where it stands: on November 5 the council approved the $50,000 pilot (seven thumbs) to subsidize pre-application, application and permit fees for a nonprofit coffee shop in a Plymouth Housing retail space, to learn costs and inform a broader policy.
Next: adoption on November 10; staff to add an all-up summary of small business investments to the matrix.

Allen noted that Washington's gift of public funds rules require defining a public benefit, and the work needs policy development. The tenant is expected to start improvements in 2027 and open in 2028. The funds come from the development area, not the affordable housing amount.
Soni asked about long-term funding; Cochran said one-time money could cover incremental progress.

2026-11-05 - City Council Study Session Meeting - Council deliberations #4: $50,000 pilot approved by seven thumbs.