HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-030 Adopting Six-Month Moratorium; ZoningORDINANCE NO. 2020-030
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington, adopting a six-month
moratorium on the establishment of or conversion from any use, or
part of a use of R-3 development to a Class 2 or Class 3 use in the
R-3 zone, with attendant moratorium on the filing and acceptance
of development applications for, and the location of, and issuance
of permits and approvals for, any Class 2 or Class 3 use in the R-3
zoning district; directing review and consideration of Class 2 and
Class 3 allowed uses in the R-3 zoning district; providing that the
moratorium shall be in effect for six months, through May 18, 2021;
and declaring an emergency providing for immediate effective date.
WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200 authorize the City Council to
adopt an ordinance imposing a moratorium and provide a process for public hearing which
must be held within sixty (60) days of the date of adoption of the moratorium; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that the City of Yakima needs
time to consider and review zoning regulations, definitions, the housing needs of the City,
uses and regulations addressing the allowed uses within the R-3 zoning district,
specifically review and consideration of the current list of Class 2 and Class 3 uses found
in Table 4-1 of Yakima Municipal Code section 15.04.030, and associated ordinances,
within the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, there are currently a number of Class 2 and Class 3 uses allowed in
the R-3 multi -family residential zone that are not residential uses, which should be
reviewed in light of the City's housing shortage, the need for such uses within the R-3
zone, and to what extent those uses are allowed in other zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has therefore decided to impose a moratorium for the
term of six months, commencing on the effective date of this ordinance and extending
through May 18, 2021, in order to study the issues as determined by the City Council and
to adopt appropriate regulations and definitions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that imposition of a moratorium
is necessary to (a) provide the City with an opportunity to study the issues regarding siting,
zoning and regulation of Class2 and Class 3 uses and facilities within the R-3 zoning
district in the City of Yakima; (b) to study the issues regarding housing needs and
associated needs of the residents of the City of Yakima; (c) to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the residents of Yakima, by reviewing Yakima's housing needs and
associated needs of Yakima residents in light of data associated with Yakima's housing
stock and needs now and in the future; and (d) avoid applicants possibly establishing
vested rights contrary to and inconsistent with any revisions the City may make to its
regulations and codes as a result of the City's study of this matter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds, determines and concludes that an emergency
exists, to wit: (a) the City of Yakima has received proposals for land uses that may include
placing residential mini -storage units on R-3 zoned property which diminishes the amount
of land available for multi -family housing in Yakima; (b) neither City staff nor the Planning
Commission have had sufficient opportunity, in light of the increase in data with regards
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to housing in Yakima to review the effects of using R-3 zoned land for Class 2 or Class 3
purposes with regard to concerns for affordable housing, housing stock, preservation
and/or promotion of site compatibility for multi -family housing, the availability to site Class
2 and Class 3 uses in other zoning codes; and (c) the immediate imposition of this
moratorium will preserve the status quo to enable the City to further study the effects of
such uses and to consider and devise appropriate zoning and regulatory controls to
address the effects of such uses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorizes and directs the Planning Commission to
review existing City codes and zoning regulations regarding Class 2 and Class 3 uses in
the R-3 zoning district, further study the effects resulting from location of those Class 2
and Class 3 uses currently allowed pursuant to Table 4-1 under YMC 15.04.030 within the
City of Yakima, prepare comprehensive proposed amendments to the City codes and
zoning regulations to address the effects of such uses, to confer with community members
as appropriate, and to present recommended legislation addressing such issues to the
City Council for consideration and action; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that a public hearing on this
moratorium should be held on December 8, 2020, whereupon the City Council may adopt
findings of fact in support of the adoption of this moratorium, or modify the terms thereof;
and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the term of six months set forth above for the
moratorium adopted herein, this moratorium may at any time hereafter be (a) modified by
the City Council in accordance with applicable law; (b) extended for additional term(s) of
six months upon action following public hearing and adoption of findings in support thereof;
(c) terminated by the City Council upon adoption of appropriate zoning and regulatory
codes; or (d) terminated by the City Council for any reason deemed necessary or
appropriate; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Moratorium Established. From and after the effective date of this
ordinance, the City shall not allow the filing of or accept any application for a building
permit, tenant improvement, development permit, request for conversion, permit,
subdivision, short subdivision, site plan review, or any other development, for any Class 2
or Class 3 use in the R-3 zone (including any additions, expansions, or modifications
thereto) as outlined in Table 4-1 in YMC 15.04.030 within the City of Yakima.
Section 2. Exemption — Vested Rights. Applications which are legally vested as
of the effective date of this ordinance shall continue to be processed as provided in the
Yakima Municipal Code and according to the land use regulations in effect on the date of
vesting.
Section 3. Public Hearing. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200, a
public hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, for the purpose of taking
testimony and, if this ordinance is passed, adopting written findings and conclusions
justifying the moratorium established by this ordinance.
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Section 4. Effective Period of Moratorium. The moratorium adopted by this
ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval of this
ordinance, and shall remain in effect for six months, through May 18, 2021, subject to
adoption of findings and conclusions as provided in Section 3 above. This moratorium
shall also terminate upon the adoption of permanent regulations regarding the subject
matter of this moratorium. Notwithstanding the above, this moratorium may be extended
as provided in RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200.
Section 5. Directive to Planning Commission. The City Council hereby authorizes
and directs the Planning Commission to review existing City codes and zoning regulations;
to further study the effects resulting from Class 2 and Class 3 uses in the R-3 zone as
outlined in Table 4-1 in YMC 15.04.030, as well as evaluate the housing; to prepare
comprehensive proposed amendments to the City codes and zoning regulations to
address the effects of such uses; to confer with community members and the City Planning
Commission as appropriate; and to present recommended legislation addressing such
issues to the City Council for consideration and action. Said recommendation should be
presented to the City Council no later than April 7, 2021. If no recommendation can be
made by that time, a status report shall be provided to Council on April 7, 2021, outlining
the reasons that a recommendation cannot be made, additional studies that need to be
evaluated or conducted, and the additional work that is necessary to formulate a
recommendation.
Section 6. Declaration of Emergency. Pursuant to Article VI Section 2 of the
Charter of the City of Yakima, the City Council finds, determines and declares that this
ordinance is an emergency ordinance to provide for the immediate preservation of the
public peace, property, health or safety. The unanimous vote of the City Council shall be
necessary for the passage of this emergency ordinance.
Section 7. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of
constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 8. Ordinance to be Transmitted to Department. Pursuant to RCW
36.70A.106, this Ordinance shall be transmitted to the Washington State Department of
Commerce as required by law or otherwise posted, published or recorded as permitted by
law.
Section 9. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect
immediately upon its passage and approval as provided by law and the City Charter.
PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved
this 17th day of November, 2020.
t
Patricia Byer
1
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ATTEST:
By
Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
Effective Date: November 17, 2020
Publication Date: November 20, 2020
Ordinance Approved by Unanimous Vote
of Council Members: November 17, 2020
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ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 9.
For Meeting of: November 17, 2020
Ordinance adopting the City Council's decision on the
Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA#001-20) and concurrent
Rezone (RZ#002-20) request by Les Heimgartner for property at
8014 Occidental Rd
Joan Davenport, AICP, Community Development Director
Joseph Calhoun, Planning Manager
Trevor Martin, Associate Planner (509) 575-6162
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The Yakima City Council held an open record public hearing on November 2, 2020, to consider
the Yakima Planning Commission's (YPC) recommendation on this request. Following the public
hearing, the City Council made a motion to deny the request, which passed 5-1. The attached
Ordinance sets forth the City Council's decision.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
d Ordinance 11/5/2020
Type
Ordinance
Distributed at the
Meeting
ORDINANCE NO. 2020-
AN ORDINANCE of the City of Yakima, Washington, adopting a six-month
moratorium on the establishment of or conversion from any use, or
part of a use of R-3 development to a Class 2 or Class 3 use in the
R-3 zone, with attendant moratorium on the filing and acceptance
of development applications for, and the location of, and issuance
of permits and approvals for, any Class 2 or Class 3 use in the R-3
zoning district; directing review and consideration of Class 2 and
Class 3 allowed uses in the R-3 zoning district; providing that the
moratorium shall be in effect for six months, through May 18, 2021;
and declaring an emergency providing for immediate effective date.
WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200 authorize the City Council to
adopt an ordinance imposing a moratorium and provide a process for public hearing which
must be held within sixty (60) days of the date of adoption of the moratorium; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that the City of Yakima needs
time to consider and review zoning regulations, definitions, the housing needs of the City,
uses and regulations addressing the allowed uses within the R-3 zoning district,
specifically review and consideration of the current list of Class 2 and Class 3 uses found
in Table 4-1 of Yakima Municipal Code section 15.04.030, and associated ordinances,
within the City of Yakima; and
WHEREAS, there are currently a number of Class 2 and Class 3 uses allowed in
the R-3 multi -family residential zone that are not residential uses, which should be
reviewed in light of the City's housing shortage, the need for such uses within the R-3
zone, and to what extent those uses are allowed in other zoning districts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has therefore decided to impose a moratorium for the
term of six months, commencing on the effective date of this ordinance and extending
through May 18, 2021, in order to study the issues as determined by the City Council and
to adopt appropriate regulations and definitions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that imposition of a moratorium
is necessary to (a) provide the City with an opportunity to study the issues regarding siting,
zoning and regulation of Class2 and Class 3 uses and facilities within the R-3 zoning
district in the City of Yakima; (b) to study the issues regarding housing needs and
associated needs of the residents of the City of Yakima; (c) to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the residents of Yakima, by reviewing Yakima's housing needs and
associated needs of Yakima residents in light of data associated with Yakima's housing
stock and needs now and in the future; and (d) avoid applicants possibly establishing
vested rights contrary to and inconsistent with any revisions the City may make to its
regulations and codes as a result of the City's study of this matter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds, determines and concludes that an emergency
exists, to wit: (a) the City of Yakima has received proposals for land uses that may include
placing residential mini -storage units on R-3 zoned property which diminishes the amount
of land available for multi -family housing in Yakima; (b) neither City staff nor the Planning
Commission have had sufficient opportunity, in light of the increase in data with regards
1
to housing in Yakima to review the effects of using R-3 zoned land for Class 2 or Class 3
purposes with regard to concerns for affordable housing, housing stock, preservation
and/or promotion of site compatibility for multi -family housing, the availability to site Class
2 and Class 3 uses in other zoning codes; and (c) the immediate imposition of this
moratorium will preserve the status quo to enable the City to further study the effects of
such uses and to consider and devise appropriate zoning and regulatory controls to
address the effects of such uses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorizes and directs the Planning Commission to
review existing City codes and zoning regulations regarding Class 2 and Class 3 uses in
the R-3 zoning district, further study the effects resulting from location of those Class 2
and Class 3 uses currently allowed pursuant to Table 4-1 under YMC 15.04.030 within the
City of Yakima, prepare comprehensive proposed amendments to the City codes and
zoning regulations to address the effects of such uses, to confer with community members
as appropriate, and to present recommended legislation addressing such issues to the
City Council for consideration and action; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that a public hearing on this
moratorium should be held on December 8, 2020, whereupon the City Council may adopt
findings of fact in support of the adoption of this moratorium, or modify the terms thereof;
and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the term of six months set forth above for the
moratorium adopted herein, this moratorium may at any time hereafter be (a) modified by
the City Council in accordance with applicable law; (b) extended for additional term(s) of
six months upon action following public hearing and adoption of findings in support thereof;
(c) terminated by the City Council upon adoption of appropriate zoning and regulatory
codes; or (d) terminated by the City Council for any reason deemed necessary or
appropriate; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Moratorium Established. From and after the effective date of this
ordinance, the City shall not allow the filing of or accept any application for a building
permit, tenant improvement, development permit, request for conversion, permit,
subdivision, short subdivision, site plan review, or any other development, for any Class 2
or Class 3 use in the R-3 zone (including any additions, expansions, or modifications
thereto) as outlined in Table 4-1 in YMC 15.04.030 within the City of Yakima.
Section 2. Exemption — Vested Rights. Applications which are legally vested as
of the effective date of this ordinance shall continue to be processed as provided in the
Yakima Municipal Code and according to the land use regulations in effect on the date of
vesting.
Section 3. Public Hearing. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200, a
public hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, for the purpose of taking
testimony and, if this ordinance is passed, adopting written findings and conclusions
justifying the moratorium established by this ordinance.
2
Section 4. Effective Period of Moratorium. The moratorium adopted by this
ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage and approval of this
ordinance, and shall remain in effect for six months, through May 18, 2021, subject to
adoption of findings and conclusions as provided in Section 3 above. This moratorium
shall also terminate upon the adoption of permanent regulations regarding the subject
matter of this moratorium. Notwithstanding the above, this moratorium may be extended
as provided in RCW 36.70A.390 and RCW 35.63.200.
Section 5. Directive to Planning Commission. The City Council hereby authorizes
and directs the Planning Commission to review existing City codes and zoning regulations;
to further study the effects resulting from Class 2 and Class 3 uses in the R-3 zone as
outlined in Table 4-1 in YMC 15.04.030, as well as evaluate the housing; to prepare
comprehensive proposed amendments to the City codes and zoning regulations to
address the effects of such uses; to confer with community members and the City Planning
Commission as appropriate; and to present recommended legislation addressing such
issues to the City Council for consideration and action. Said recommendation should be
presented to the City Council no later than April 7, 2021. If no recommendation can be
made by that time, a status report shall be provided to Council on April 7, 2021, outlining
the reasons that a recommendation cannot be made, additional studies that need to be
evaluated or conducted, and the additional work that is necessary to formulate a
recommendation.
Section 6. Declaration of Emergency. Pursuant to Article VI Section 2 of the
Charter of the City of Yakima, the City Council finds, determines and declares that this
ordinance is an emergency ordinance to provide for the immediate preservation of the
public peace, property, health or safety. The unanimous vote of the City Council shall be
necessary for the passage of this emergency ordinance.
Section 7. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of
constitutionality of any other section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 8. Ordinance to be Transmitted to Department. Pursuant to RCW
36.70A.106, this Ordinance shall be transmitted to the Washington State Department of
Commerce as required by law or otherwise posted, published or recorded as permitted by
law.
Section 9. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect
immediately upon its passage and approval as provided by law and the City Charter.
PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved
this 17th day of November, 2020.
Patricia Byers, Mayor
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ATTEST:
By
Sonya Claar Tee, City Clerk
Effective Date:
Publication Date:
Ordinance Approved by Unanimous Vote
of Council Members:
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