Des Moines council members added on Sept. 27 a chapter to the city's building code to allow five-story wood-frame buildings in the Pacific Ridge neighborhood.

For the second time in a month, the council considered authorizing the alternative design and voted unanimously for the ordinance.

Now the council will negotiate a second development agreement with the Port of Seattle.

Councilmember Ed Pina, commenting on limiting the ordinance to Pacific Ridge, said, "It seems like we're being unduly concerned about the consequences of our decision at some future time."

In other business, lawmakers conducted a public hearing on the Southshore Modified Subdivision.

The proposed Southshore subdivision would include 31 dwelling units and have a trail network to nearby Steven J. Underwood Memorial Park.

It would be modified, not standard, because a wetland in the subdivision requires a 35-foot buffer and because of the trail network.

No two houses will be allowed to have the same design unless they are painted different colors. No more than two houses will be allowed to have the same design regardless.

The council continued this hearing to Oct. 11.

A public hearing about permitted uses in the Business Park Zone was rescheduled for Nov. 1.