Enumclaw’s housing inventory could grow a bit, as members of the City Council recently approved requests for a pair of land-use changes.

The Council gave its blessing to a zoning change for an eight-acre parcel fronting Warner Avenue and supported a request to subdivide 2.37 acres in the vicinity of McHugh avenue and Division Street. Both requests had been viewed favorably by the city’s hearing examiner and both received council OK on April 24.

The larger parcel, owned by John and Marlene Koopman, is already zoned for single-family residential purposes. The council action changed it from “low density” to “moderate density” use. The difference is in potential lot size: presently lots would be a minimum of 15,000 square feet and now, with the council’s approval, lots can be 8,400 square feet in size.

Presently, the acreage contains the Koopman’s home and, as described in a city memo, “the remnants of a farm…largely vacant.”

Similar request from Warner Avenue property owners have been granted in recent years.

Council members debated the merits of larger and smaller lots, with Juanita Carstens and Hoke Overland sharing a belief that maintaining the requirement for larger lots is warranted. They were the two dissenters in a 5-2 vote in favor of the zone change.

The smaller parcel, owned by Dick Person, is earmarked for 10 housing lots and a stormwater detention area. The proposal calls for roadway improvements, the extension of sewer services and stormwater disposal.

Council approved the item 7-0 without discussion.

The land sits north of McHugh on the east side of Division Street.

In other action during the April 24 meeting, members of the Enumclaw City Council:

• unanimously passed an ordinance aimed at those who “cut corners” at busy intersections.

It seems some drivers have been impatient and, rather than waiting at traffic lights, have taken to cutting through parking lots. The council action deems that such maneuvers can be cited as traffic infractions and, further, allows for signage wherever it’s deemed appropriate.

Police Chief Jim Zoll said the issue was raised by the Enumclaw business community. It was pointed out that vehicles cutting through parking lots put customers at risk.

Zoll’s memo singled out the intersection of Griffin Avenue and state Route 410 as a trouble spot. The situation also has been found across 410 at another service station and at the corner of Griffin Avenue and Porter Street.

The memo suggested the new city ordinance should target drivers who “proceed across any private property for the purpose of avoiding (an) intersection or any traffic-control devise controlling the intersection.”

• agreed to continue a relationship with Regional Animal Services of King County, the entity that provides “animal control” with the city limits.

The agreement includes sheltering of animals and licensing services.

The county has provided services in Enumclaw since 2013, now working under terms of an agreement that expires at the end of this year. The new pact calls for a five-year contract and carries an automatic five-year extension that would extend through 2027. The agreement contains an “opt out” provision if the city does not want the additional five years.

The cost to the city is pegged at approximately $30,000 annually. Noting that the city could not perform animal control services for that amount, City Administrator recommended approval of the contract. The council agreed with a unanimous vote.

• watched as Anthony Wright took the oath of office and joined the council. The move brings the city’s governing body back to full strength. Two vacancies have been filled since the first of the year: Steve Cadematori was picked to fill an opening created when Morgan Irwin was appointed to the state House of Representatives; Wright fills the post vacated due to the resignation of Mike Sando.

• appointed David Halverson to the Enumclaw Planning Commission. His term expires with the close of 2018.