HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2026-072 adopt findings of fact_moratorium_halfway house and secure comm transition facilityA RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-072
adopting findings of fact for the 6-month moratorium of halfway house and
secure community transition facility use applications in the City of Yakima
and directing the Yakima Planning Commission to review the issue and
provide recommendations to the City Council.
WHEREAS, the City passed an emergency moratorium on halfway house and secure
community transition facility uses on April 7, 2026; and
WHEREAS, in the emergency ordinance, as required by state statute, a public hearing to
take testimony on the moratorium was scheduled for May 12, 2026, within sixty days of passage
of the emergency moratorium ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City held a public hearing and took public testimony on May 12, 2026;
and
WHEREAS, the Yakima Planning Commission is charged with reviewing and providing
recommendations to Council on amendments to the land use code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City of Yakima and
its residents to adopt findings of fact and send the matters in the moratorium to the Planning
Commission for review, research and recommendation; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
The Recitals found in Ordinance No. 2026-012, attached hereto, are hereby adopted as
the findings of fact for the moratorium on halfway house and secure community transition
facilities uses.
2. The matters found in the moratorium are hereby sent to the Planning Commission for
review and research. The Planning Commission, pursuant to municipal ordinances and
procedures, provide a recommendation to the City Council so that the City Council can
make a decision within the moratorium time frame.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 12th day of May, 2026.
ATTEST:
osalinda Ibarra. C
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 8.A,
For Meeting of: May 12, 2026.
ITEM TITLE: Resolution adopting findings of fact and sending moratorium issues to
the Yakima Planning Commission
SUBMITTED BY: Sara Watkins, City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The City Council passed an emergency moratorium regarding halfway houses, as defined in the Yakima
Municipal Code, and secured community transition facilities, as defined in Ordinance No. 2026-012, on
April 7, 2026.
A "halfway house" shall include residentially oriented facilities that provide:
1. State -licensed group care homes for juvenile delinquents;
2. Houses providing residence in lieu of instructional sentencing;
3. Houses providing residence to individuals needing correctional institutionalization; or
4. Detoxification centers licensed by the state where alcohol and drug abusers can be placed in lieu
of incarceration for detoxification and treatment from effects of alcohol and drugs. (See "Clean and
sober facility.")
The ordinance also set a public hearing for May 12, 2026, to take public testimony on the moratorium.
The emergency ordinance outlined the date for the public hearing, which is required by statute. The
ordinance set forth a number of recitals providing a factual background for the moratorium.
Upon completion of the public hearing and discussion, the City Council will need to adopt the resolution
providing for findings of fact and send this matter to the Yakima Planning Commission for review and
recommendation.
ITEM BUDGETED: No
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Safe and Healthy Yakima
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Res-Moratorium_Findings of Fact.docx
Ord-2026-012_Moratorium_re Secure Community Transition Faciiities.pdf
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