The City of Yakima Planning Commission, after holding several study sessions throughout 2018 and conducting open record public hearings on September 12, 2018 and October 10, 2018, is recommending text amendments to YMC Titles 1, 15, and 16. The text amendments include the following:
1. YMC § 15.08.045(7) – Sign Code Exemptions
a. Modifications to Flag size and Flag pole height/location.
2. YMC § 15.23.030 – Rezones-Zoning map amendments
a. Requiring a non-project rezone application to submit a non-binding conceptual site plan.
b. Requiring that any conditions imposed on a Rezone application be incorporated into a development agreement.
3. YMC § 15.09.045 – Accessory Dwelling Units
a. Consistency with Table 4-1 related to level of review (Class 2 in SR and R-1)
b. Adding R-2 and R-3 as allowable zoning districts (Class 1 in R-2 and R-3)
c. Clarifying structure type and placement
d. Decreasing the minimum lot size from 0.25 acres to a lot appropriately sized for a duplex and allowing smaller lots to apply at a higher level of review.
4. YMC Ch. 15.17 – Modification
a. Multiple changes throughout to allow any existing use which meets the applicable criteria to go through the Modification process.
5. YMC Ch. 15.02.020 – Definitions and YMC § 15.04.120 – Home Occupations
a. Adding definition for “Home occupation, taxicab operator”
b. Adding Taxicab Operator to Table 4-2
6. YMC § 15.03.020 – District and map overlay intent statements and YMC Table 4-1 – Permitted Land Uses
a. Adding “light manufacturing, processing, research” to the Regional Development (RD) district intent statement.
b. Adding certain uses and modifying the level of review of certain uses in the RD zone.
7. Various sections – Appeals
a. Revised definition of “Party of Record” in YMC § 15.02.020
b. All appeal language is being consolidated to YMC Ch. 16.08. Modified sections include: YMC Ch. 1.43 – Hearing Examiner; YMC Ch. 15.16 – Appeals; YMC Ch. 16.08 – Appeals
8. YMC Ch. 15.02.020 – Definitions and and YMC Table 4-1 – Permitted Land Uses
a. Adding definitions for Hotel, Motel and Extended Stay Hotel/Motel
b. Modifying Table 4-1 to identify what zones the uses are permitted and at what level of review.
The Yakima Planning Commission held public hearings on September 12, 2018 and October 10, 2018 and recommended approval of the proposed amendments. The Chair signed the recommendation findings on September 26, 2018 and October 16, 2018, respectively.
Council was provided a complete printed version of the record for review (Council--please bring your binder to the meeting) ahead of the open record public hearing on November 13, 2018.
The Public Hearing notice has been provided to all Yakima-area media, including Tu Decides, KDNA Radio, El Sol de Yakima, Hispanavision, Bustos Media, and El Mundo.