[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6393500,"mediaKeyId","2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f","parentId",2106901,"title","Planning commission forwards downtown‑focused Title 15 text amendments to City Council","audioSeconds",426,"startMs",1802120,"endMs",2228329,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f&start=1802&end=2228","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f/thumbnail_1802120.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393500/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Planning-commission-forwards-downtownfocused-Title-15-text-amendments-to-City-Council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393500-1e14598ab02e02ee7414b8ccc6f314c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150632&Signature=MHwy-CoDx2weVh3pSMeRlXiHnUTgQlmiUTnOd1ScryvOMeiPUSrzMdNNnnZXrMU8qj1v77LThiZld-uiemREGHTCZwAzT2xDZOB7XdVnYBOuXOWhO7DtjpQxWABmqcICPvw6u2wlu5-c7xpv~8v5uuDafWPWSK8WFqpMbxdaBkTSTaD8tFpU~KJVBDn~BQfeqfAoiQYfME~HPrNPq9b6QkR96k80GTN9o7Zr0ehMsi2RNofTGr~GdnbRBciX2fdRanaO~KCNoum-9k3T8Apswez6fRKVosE9Kv9xndkJ-G5nLhzeuUqC3VHhyu-PVqUs32Z0ccOSUfhXuoCF3gJ02A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Yakima City, WA","date","2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Yakima City Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to forward a set of municipal code text amendments addressing downtown development and administrative review procedures to the Yakima City Council.

Trevor Martin, planning manager, told the commission the package consolidates downtown regulations, adds criteria for mixed‑use buildings and height bonuses, creates a downtown business district section, establishes Type 1 review exemptions for certain small residential projects, clarifies the computation of required parking, streamlines sign standards, and updates administrative adjustment and exemption language across YMC Title 15. The amendments were reprocessed under SEPA as a procedural action and a determination of non‑significance was issued Dec. 5, 2024; a legal ad ran Oct. 25, 2024 and no written comments were submitted.

Commissioner Shelley asked for clarification about Type 1 review exemptions, reading language that would exempt detached single‑family dwellings, duplexes, accessory dwelling units and multifamily up to six dwelling units from Type 1 review when a compliance site plan is submitted with building plans. Martin explained Type 1 review is an administrative process without public notice that staff uses to approve uses permitted in a zoning district, noting departments (engineering, stormwater, transportation) still review projects for conformance with standards even when a Type 1 exemption applies.

Commission discussion characterized the package as long‑running work the commission has reviewed over many meetings; commissioners said the changes are intended to clarify procedures and make downtown development review more predictable. A motion to approve the text amendments and forward them to City Council passed unanimously.

The Planning Commission will be notified when City Council schedules the amendments for council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Yakima Planning Commission 01-08-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Yakima City Planning Commission unanimously voted Jan. 8 to forward a package of Title 15 text amendments — focused on downtown mixed use, review exemptions and administrative clarifications — to the Yakima City Council.","taxTitle","Yakima City, Yakima County, Washington","taxId",12681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393505,"Planning commission recommends rezoning six parcels near 40th and Summit View to small convenience center",1514,214025,1728835,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f&start=214&end=1728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f/thumbnail_214025.jpg","/articles/6393505/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Planning-commission-recommends-rezoning-six-parcels-near-40th-and-Summit-View-to-small-convenience-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393505-65befdee63d5dc0b6c8eaa33ea422cf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150632&Signature=Tj-XnfHRMcO9rayFEh77RiVkQJ3ztwJjPzsp9voEQGlYh-uc5oNc7EauTPtI5WKPtR8xdopNhb3lh4c1of6pxAvG-ezr7zda8yqEqw6Xf1IPRgckCwVVYTYLqTsGhjEgoMmDutikjZxvbDlfMQbm3xPbVdwIpoyTUcE3UPULAWPnM41jaRqgAkObSnQt1HvVrYfnU~emXVHUeY0XbMmyzNMeb2zF~Ze98PWpVUU1dODgbhtB6EUwDsxuJxVAPTxYQT4prwUynHZQOILU2hMLnIlIvno-T3kCo34yISUOQq5TOQ8UFMN6N2-tFE0otsY6TsOczIoZdn6TQC458M1NMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Yakima City Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to recommend the Yakima City Council approve a non‑project rezone of six parcels totaling about four acres from single‑family residential (R‑1) to Small Convenience Center (SCC) (file RZ‑005‑24; SEPA DNS 016‑24).

City staff said the parcels sit at the intersection of Summit View Avenue and North 40th Avenue (principal arterials) and North 39th Avenue (local access), are served by City of Yakima sewer and water and Nob Hill Water Association water, and are currently occupied by single‑family homes and a church. Staff recommended approval, noting the rezone implements the Comprehensive Plan 2040 designation of “community mixed use” and that a SEPA determination of non‑significance was issued Dec. 17, 2024.

The rezone is non‑project in nature: staff and the applicant provided a conceptual site plan showing potential uses such as daycare, office and retail, but no land‑use development application has been submitted. Staff emphasized that any future development will require project‑level land‑use review, which could require frontage improvements, traffic mitigation and additional agency review. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to City Council, likely in February.

Applicant Leanne Lidicode said she appreciated the commission’s review and that SCC zoning would allow flexibility for the site. Daniel Tilly, who identified himself as the personal representative for Dorothy Davis, described preliminary discussions that anticipate dedicating right‑of‑way for two new left‑turn lanes — one on North 40th northbound and one westbound on Summit View — to address heavy congestion at the intersection.

Several neighbors raised concerns about traffic and access. Angela Gondo, property manager for the building at 3910 Summit View (representing Evergreen Investment), said adjoining lots provide access for tenants and warned that redesign of the corner could affect their entrance. Resident Anna Shea (23 Kenny Drive) said she is worried about increased traffic near homes and children. Staff and the applicant explained those traffic and access questions would be addressed during project‑level review.

A motion to approve the non‑project rezone (RZ‑005‑24) carried unanimously. Commissioners noted no agencies registered opposition and that the rezone is consistent with the city comprehensive plan policies cited in staff’s report. The next step is a City Council public hearing on the recommendation.

Votes at a glance: Planning Commission — motion to recommend approval of non‑project rezone RZ‑005‑24 (SEPA 016‑24) — passed unanimously; absent: Commissioner Hughes Mickle and Vice Chair Knapp.","The Yakima City Planning Commission voted unanimously Jan. 8 to recommend the City Council approve a non‑project rezone of six parcels (about 4 acres) from single‑family residential (R‑1) to Small Convenience Center (SCC), forwarding concerns about traffic and future project‑level review requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6393496,"Commissioners discuss implications of Washington State housing law and Commerce guidance for Yakima",572,2854115,3427105,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f&start=2854&end=3427","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106901-16a6aa445b1d11f57d640527adeaed0f/thumbnail_2854115.jpg","/articles/6393496/Yakima-City/Yakima-County/Washington/Commissioners-discuss-implications-of-Washington-State-housing-law-and-Commerce-guidance-for-Yakima","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393496-1268df24bbb2c7e62ea453c195ee7e81/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150632&Signature=bWyP-MkZ1BDP6kjS~SQqdqH1gZHN5qYnydNKgQm5wN~uVOfu8EitGaM9-tbKhCOvBEv4F-ZiBQf66i7vH64D4dP1fLqNSoOCqwqfTOePHjWkr7xMqOTYuJTL--28J4CBC4zxb9wec-vB9D91c9xiVXCjPtsjETns2AnZZug8c70l0NNUCXqObtkOQlKHA6H01KuPUxy1IerddtxHgmPWeyKdn5XyHT0zEDQoqZTtabRc~eW25pUHaZU276bs8hxoAQYhwfI2UBCWagVuKgYsfeKykEA7i66VC0gBjQnIX6cGZ4ue2B~rlkt5WQfErmT6Oa7KwnF-kUEGV0Xl9hbAyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning Commission members spent a substantive portion of the Jan. 8 meeting discussing the implications of recent Washington State housing legislation and Department of Commerce guidance, which the commission must address as part of the city’s periodic comprehensive plan update.

Commissioner Shelley read a prepared statement and urged the commission to treat state requirements as central to upcoming work. She summarized key points from Commerce guidance and the new law she had reviewed: by June 30, 2026 jurisdictions are to allow up to four units per parcel, parent lots may be divided into sublots with different setback rules, and the guidance contemplates increased lot coverage (Shelley cited figures such as 80% lot coverage appearing in guidance materials). Shelley said these changes will raise recurrent questions about stormwater management, on‑street parking, emergency vehicle access, easements for irrigation canals and utilities, and the interaction of private covenants with state law.

Trevor Martin, planning manager, responded that the Commerce instruction sets a target (allow up to four units per parcel) and that the city must take water and sewer capacity into account. He noted SEPA and capital‑facilities discussions and said the planning department would coordinate with utilities and engineering staff as the city develops implementing code changes. Commissioners asked about mapped critical areas (floodplains, wetlands, aquifer recharge and wellhead protection) and Martin confirmed those resources are mapped and will be part of the evaluation.

Commissioners and staff also discussed enforcement and private covenants; Martin said the city does not track private covenants and typically treats covenant enforcement as a private civil matter, but that where a development presents documentation showing it meets the statutory parameters, staff will evaluate proposals against the code and state law. Commissioners requested additional information from staff and outside resources (e.g., the Department of Commerce packet, stormwater engineering standards and YCOG presentation materials) to prepare for the comprehensive plan update.","During Other Business Jan. 8, Planning Commission members discussed Washington State guidance requiring allowances of up to four units per parcel, potential stormwater, parking, easement and covenant impacts, and the need for departmental follow‑up as Yakima prepares its comprehensive plan update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission forwards downtown‑focused Title 15 text amendments to City Council

Planning commission recommends rezoning six parcels near 40th and Summit View to small convenience center

Commissioners discuss implications of Washington State housing law and Commerce guidance for Yakima