Richland City Council hears rezone application for Estates at White Bluffs proposal

The Richland Hearing Examiner convened on July 14, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, primarily focusing on a special use permit for a coffee shop and a rezone application for the Estates at White Bluffs.

The meeting began with a review of the special use permit application for a coffee shop located on Lee Boulevard. Staff reported that all public notification requirements had been met, and no public comments were received. The proposal was deemed compliant with city code, with staff recommending approval subject to certain conditions. Notably, staff proposed modifications to several conditions of approval, including the removal of condition number 5, which would eliminate parking along a boundary deemed unnecessary. Additionally, condition number 9 was recommended for removal as the required information was already provided in the title report.

The applicant's representative, Mr. O'Neil, agreed with the proposed changes and expressed a desire for further clarification on condition number 6, which he found unclear. The Hearing Examiner allowed for the record to remain open until Friday at 5 PM to facilitate discussions between staff and the applicant regarding these modifications.

Following the coffee shop discussion, the meeting transitioned to the rezone application for the Estates at White Bluffs. Planning Manager Mike Stevens outlined the procedural history of the application, noting that it had been submitted over a year ago and previously postponed to address comments from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The rezone is a legislative action requiring city council approval based on the Hearing Examiner's recommendation.

The Hearing Examiner emphasized the importance of focusing comments on the specific approval criteria relevant to the rezone and preliminary plat applications. The meeting concluded with a reminder for staff to provide a detailed list of any agreed-upon modifications to the conditions of approval by the end of the week.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city's commitment to thorough review processes and community engagement, with no public opposition noted during the discussions. The next steps involve finalizing the conditions for the coffee shop permit and preparing for the city council's consideration of the rezone application.