The City of Yakima Planning Commission, after holding several study sessions throughout 2019 and conducting an open record public hearing on October 23, 2019, is recommending text amendments to YMC Chapter 6.88 and Titles 14 and 15. The text amendments include the following:
1. YMC § 15.02.020 – Definitions
a. Modification to Accessory Dwelling Unit for consistency with YMC § 15.09.045.
b. New definition for Congregate Living Facility and removal of Boardinghouse.
c. Modification to Dwelling multiple-Family.
d. Modification of Bed and Breakfast.
2. YMC § 15.03.020(B) – R-1 District Intent Statement
a. Modification to allow a density of up to seven dwelling units per acre, regardless of dwelling type.
3. YMC § 15.04.030, Table 4-1 – Permitted Land Uses
a. Several changes to zones where different housing types can locate and modification to levels of review.
4. YMC § 15.04.060 – Accessory Uses
a. Correction to the allowed number of pets that can be kept at a residence.
5. YMC § 15.04.080 – Drive-through facilities
a. No substantive change, clarification to language for clarity.
6. YMC § 15.04.120 – Home Occupations
a. Modifying “Bed and Breakfast” to “Short Term Rental” consistent with the definition change in YMC § 15.02.020; and reducing the level of review from Class 2 to Class 1. b. Adding clarifying language to what constitutes a “primary residence.”
c. Removal of “Firearm sales and/or gunsmith” as a prohibited use.
7. YMC § 15.06.040 – Off-street parking standards
a. Land use name changes consistent with the remaining changes contemplated in this text amendment cycle.
b. New parking standard for Congregate Living Facility.
c. Cleanup of redundant land uses in the parking table. The “default” parking standard for uses not listed in the table is 1 space for every 300 square feet. Uses in the table with a 1:300 standard were therefore removed.
8. YMC Ch. 15.09 – Special Development Standards
a. Add new purpose section to 15.09.010 that is applicable to the whole chapter and move previous purpose section to 15.09.020 which is specific to the district overlays.
b. Modifications to 15.09.045 Accessory Dwelling Units.
i. Use is permitted on all parcels containing single family dwellings
ii. Maximum floor area of 1,000 square feet
iii. Clarification of sewer and water requirements and subdivision restrictions
c. Modification to 15.09.050, requiring compliance with emissions standards for new and existing uses.
d. Modifications to 15.09.080.
i. Changing “Bed and Breakfast” to “Short Term Rental”
ii. Requiring compliance with YMC 15.04 for Short Term Rental Home Occupations
iii. Adding additional requirements related to the exterior and interior condition of the residence, traffic, and business licensing.
e. Modification to 15.09.210 – Special requirements for retaining walls. Relying on materials certified by a professional engineer.
9. YMC § 15.11.020 – Application requirements.
a. Citation clarification to the public notice table.
10. YMC § 15.17.020 – Modification to permitted development and uses regulated and YMC § 15.19.050 – Continuation of nonconforming uses.
a. Minor change to both the Modification and Nonconforming Chapters to allow existing nonconforming single-family homes to expand above the 50% maximum if applicable setback and lot coverage standards are met.
11. YMC § 6.88.070
a. SEPA exemptions are proposed to be increased to the maximum levels allowed for jurisdictions planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA).
b. Additional exemptions for infill development are proposed consistent with the Yakima Comprehensive Plan and RCW 43.21C.229.
12. YMC § 14.25.040 – Lot design.
a. Minor change allowing private streets as part of a new Short Subdivision or Subdivision.
The Yakima Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 23, 2019, and recommended approval of the proposed amendments. The Chair signed the recommendation findings on November 1, 2019. 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 December 3, 2019.
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.