HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-2023 YPC Agenda Packet
DEPARTMENTOF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joan Davenport, AICP, Director
Planning Division
Joseph Calhoun, Manager
nd
129 North Second Street, 2Floor, Yakima, WA 98901
ask.planning@yakimawa.govwww.yakimawa.gov/services/planning/ypc/
CITY OF YAKIMA PLANNING COMMISSION
Yakima City Hall Council Chambers
nd
Street, Yakima, WA 98901
129 N 2
October 11, 2023
3:00 p.m. –5:00 p.m.
YPC MEMBERS:
Chair Jacob Liddicoat, Vice-Chair Lisa Wallace, Charles Hitchcock
Leanne Hughes-Mickel, Mary Place, Colleda Monick, and Frieda Stephens
City Council Liaison: Soneya Lund
CITY PLANNING STAFF:
Joan Davenport (Community Development Director),Lisa Maxey (Admin Assistant)
Joseph Calhoun (Planning Manager), Eric Crowell (Senior Planner), Connor Kennedy
(Assistant Planner), Eva Rivera (Planning Technician), Irene Linos (Temp. Department-
Assistant I)
AGENDA
I.Call to Order
II.Roll Call
III.Staff Announcements
IV.Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 13, 2023
V.Text Amendments – Mixed Use/Downtown Development and Class 1 Uses
VI.Public Comment
VII.Other Business
VIII.Adjourn
Next Meeting: October 25, 2023
The meeting will also be recorded and posted on the Y-PAC website.
Visit the Yakima Planning Commission webpage for more information, including agenda packets and minutes.
City of Yakima Planning Commission (YPC) Meeting Minutes
City Council Chambers
September 13, 2023
Call to Order
Chair Liddicoatcalled the meeting to order at 3:00p.m.
Roll Call
YPC Members Present:Jacob Liddicoat,Lisa Wallace,Leanne Hughes-Mickel,Mary
Place,Colleda Monick, Charles Hitchcock, Frieda Stephens
YPC Members Absent:
Staff Present:Joseph Calhoun; Planning Manager,Eva Rivera, Planning
Technician
Staff Announcements–Planning Manager Calhoun announced the following:
The Washington State Archeology and Historic Preservation provided grant money to
examine the Naches Overlay for historic standards. The consultant has completed the
project, and a final review will be conducted by the Historic Preservation Commission
before being forwarded to Council for consideration.
Grant money is available for the Comprehensive Plan and climate change initiatives from
the Department of Commerce.
ADU preapproved plans have not been finalized changes were made.
August 23, 2023,Meeting Minutes–Commissioner Place abstained from votingbecause she
was absent onthat meeting date. It was motioned by Commissioner Wallaceand seconded by
Commissioner Hughes-Mickelto approve the meeting minutes of August 23,2023,as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
Text Amendment –Class 1 Uses-Calhoun presented the Commission with proposed
modifications to thelanguage of Class 1 exemptionsin theCentral Business District(CBD) to
expand to Downtown Business District Exempt Parking Area. He also informed themabout the
proposed addition of partB to that section.The Commission discussed the proposed changes.
HAP Status Update-Calhounshared the latest figures on the number of dwelling units that have
been permitted. As of 2018, 40% of the 2040 target has been achieved. Specifically, 251 units
have been permitted in the current year alone. Moreover, since August 2021, 555 units have been
granted a certificate of occupancy, and a total of 1109 units have been permitted.The commission
discussed open/green spaces for multifamily developments.
Public Comment–None
Other Business–None
Adjourn–A motion to adjourn toSeptember 27,2023,was passed with aunanimous vote. The
meeting adjourned at approximately 3:29p.m.
Chair Liddicoat Date
This meeting was filmed by YPAC. Minutes for this meeting submitted by: Eva Rivera, Planning Technician.
-1-
City of Yakima Planning Commission
Zoning Updates
October 11, 2023
1.Mixed-Use Clarification
Since the mixed-use standards were updated recently, staff has identified some
clarifications intended to make the section more useable.We would also like to explore
whetherthe mixed-use standardsshould apply generally toboth multifamily and
commercial development in the CBD.
15.09.025Mixed-use building and downtown business district
multifamily development.
A.Purpose and Intent.
1.To provide a streamlined process for new development or redevelopment projects that
include a mixture of high density residential along with complementary retail, commercial, or
professional uses at a scale that is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
2.These standards shall also apply to newmultifamily or commercial development or
multifamilyor commercial redevelopment in the downtown business district. MNew or
redevelopedultifamilymultifamily or commercial uses within this area shall comply with all of
the following development and design standardsexcluding those which areonly relevant to the
nonresidential portion of a mixed-use building.
a.For the purpose of implementing this section, the “downtown business district” shall be
defined as the downtown business district exempt area—See YMC15.06.040, Figure 6-1.
B.Level of Review—Mixed-use building Uses.
1.MA new or redeveloped mixed-use building and downtown business district multifamily
development is a Class (1) permitted use, requiring Type (1) review, in applicable zones and is
determined to be the appropriate level of review for any combination of Class(1) and Class (2)
uses listed in those zones.
2.Any combination of uses which includes a Class (3) permitted use shall undergo Type (2)
review.
3.The mixed-use building/development land use shall not allow any use which is otherwise
not permitted in the zone.
4.A mixed-use building that does not meet the layout requirement of subsection (D)(1) of
this section shall be reviewed based upon its particular uses as listed in Table 4-1.
5. An existing building that does not meet the layout requirementof subsection (D)(2) of this
section shall still be subject to the other development standards of that subsection.
C.Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited in a mixed-use building/development project:
1.All wholesale trade—Storage uses.
2.All transportation uses.
3.All utilities uses.
4.All automotive sales, maintenance and repair, carwash/detailing, paint and body, parts
and accessories, and towing uses.
5.Boats and marine accessories.
6.Farm and implements, tools and heavy construction equipment.
7.Farm supplies.
8.Fuel oil and coal distributers.
9.Lumber yards.
10.Nurseries.
11.All rental uses.
12.Repairs: reupholstery and furniture.
13.Repairs: small engine and garden equipment.
14.Service stations.
15.Truck service stations and shops.
D.Development Standards.
1.Mixed-Use Layout. A mixed-use building should not have any residential dwelling units
located on the ground floor, whenever feasible. There shall be a minimum of fifty percent
residential dwelling units, and least eighty percent of the ground floor shall be dedicatedfor
community facility or commercial use.
2.Parking.
a.Location. Off-street parking shall be located within, behind, below, and/or to the side
of the building. Any side of the building that faces a street shall not be fronted by off-
street parkingexceptfor the following situations:
i. For corner lots with morethan one street frontage: at least one side of thebuilding
that faces the street shall not be fronted by off-street parking.
b.Design. Off-street parkingwithin 20-feet from the public rights-of-wayshall be
screened from view of all abutting public rights-of-way.1. c.Parking located
outside of a structure shall be screenedby a six-foot-tall masonry, decorative block wall,
wood fence, wrought iron fence,or solid landscaping screen.
i. Fencing located adjacent to a street right-of-way or pedestrian way shall include a
minimum three-foot landscape strip between the fence and the right-of-way.
c.Parking located within a structure, whether attached to or detached from the primary
structure, shall be architecturally compatible with the primary structure. Any openings
within a parking structure that do not provide pedestrian or vehicular access shall be
screened from view with decorative grilles or landscaping.
d. These standards shall also apply to standalone parking lots and garageswithin the
downtown business districtnot otherwise part of a development or structure.
e.A drive-up laneintended for arriving/departingguests, valet service, and other related
functionslocated at the front of motels and hotels (including extended stay)is not
considered to be parking for the purpose of this section.
3.Height Bonus. In the B-1, B-2, and SCC zoning districts, the maximum height of the
building (YMC15.05.030, Table 5-1) may be increased to fifty feet if all of the following are
met:
a.The majority of the additional building height is used to increase the number of
dwelling units;
b.The additional building height is necessary to accommodate on-site parking
requirements;
c.Additional on-site landscaping is provided equaling fifteen percent of the parking
area, at a minimum.
E.Design Standards and Guidelines—Downtown Business District.
1.Entrances. Primary pedestrian entrances to the building shall face the street frontage or
face common open space which is oriented toward the street.
2.Windows Along Streets and Pedestrian Ways.
a.There shall be windows on all sides of the building facing streets and pedestrian
ways.
b.All floors of a multifamily building, and all floors above the ground floor of a mixed-
use building shall contain transparency consistent with the Washington State Energy
Code, including both doors and windows.
c.The ground floor of a mixed-use building shall contain at least seventy-five percent of
transparency, including both doors and windows, and shall be visually distinct from the
above floors by not repeating the exact dimensions and placement of windows.
3.Blank Walls.
a.Defined. “Blank wall” means a wall or portion of a wall that has eight hundred square
feet of vertical surface area without any building modulation, transparency, or other
architectural feature.
b.Along streets and pedestrian ways, a minimum of fifty percent of the wall between
three feet and twelve feet above grade shall be treated with one or more of the following
elements:
i.Architectural variation including but not limited to color, material, and/or
modulation.
ii.Artwork, including murals and signs.
iii.Shrubs, trees, trellises, or other landscaping that will be actively maintained.
4.Equipment Screening.
a.Electrical and mechanical equipment placed on the ground surface or rooftop shall
be screened from view by materials that are consistent and compatible with the design,
color, and materials of the building.
b.The height of the parapet and other rooftop elements may be increased in order to
achieve this and shall comply with the height restrictions of
YMC15.05.030and15.10.020(D)(1).
5.Parking.
a.On-site parking shall be installed in accordance with YMC Chapter15.06, except as
follows:
i.Buildings in the downtown business district that cannot physically provide on-site
residential parking may utilize permitted off-street public parking (YMC9.50.200), or
off-street private parking through a shared parking agreement.
6.Multifamily Development Limited Downtown. Multifamily development that does not meet
the definition of mixed-use located in the downtown business district shall comply with the
following standards:
a.Setbacks.
i.New buildings shall have a minimum front yard setback of ten feet from the
property line or have windows that begin at least three feet above the elevation of
the highest adjoining sidewalk or finished ground surface adjacent to the setback.
b.Multifamily development shall not be permitted on any corner lot along Yakima
Avenue unless it includes commercial and residential uses.
2.Type 1 ReviewExemptionin Commercial Zones
Chapter 15.13
TYPE (1) REVIEW
Sections:
15.13.010Purpose.
15.13.020Whenrequired.
15.13.025Central business district—Type (1) review exemptions.
15.13.030Development permit application—Type (1) review.
15.13.040Review procedures.
15.13.050Approval.
15.13.060Denial.
15.13.070Appeals.
15.13.010Purpose.
This chapter establishes procedures for issuance of a development permit for uses requiring Type
(1) review.
15.13.020When required.
Class (1) uses not requiring Type (2) or (3) review are permitted; provided, that district standards are
met. The administrative official shall use the procedures in YMC Chapter15.13to review Class (1)
uses and associated site improvements for compliance with the provisions and standards of the
zoning district in which they are located, unless exempt under YMC15.13.025. Class (1) uses
require Type (2) review when:
A.All or part of the development, except for agricultural buildings, single-family dwellings, and
duplexes, is in the floodplain or greenway overlay districts;
B.All or part of a development is in the airport overlay (AO);
C.All or part of a development is in an institutional (IO) or master planned development overlay
(PD) and is identified in a development agreement as requiring Class (2) approval;
D.The proposed use includes hazardous material;
E.The applicant requests adjustment of one or more of the specific development standards
pursuant to YMC15.10.020; or
F.All or part of the development requires a development plan and/or master plan.
15.13.025Central business district—Type (1) review exemptions.
A. Change of use proposals within existing buildings in the CBD Downtown Business District
Exempt Parking Area (YMC 15.06.040(C)) shall be exempt from Type (1) review when the proposed
new use is a Class (1) use for the zone inunder the Retail Trade and Service portion of
YMC15.04.030, Table 4-1. New construction or expansion of existing buildingsClass (1) usesshall
follow the Type (1) review or modification process, as applicable.
B. Change of use proposals within existing buildings in all commercial and industrial zonesoutside
of the Downtown Business District Exempt Parking Area shall be exempt from the Type (1) review
when:
1. The proposed use is a Class (1) use for the zone in YMC 15.04.030; and,
2. Parking:
i. The use is located within an existing multiple use center; or,
ii. The parking requirement for the proposed use is equal to or less than the
existing use.
a. If the proposed use requires more parking than the existing use and that
parking is available on-site, then it meets the intent of this section.
3. Change of use exemptions for Class (1) uses in the commercial and industrial zones
shall not apply to the following:
i. New construction or expansion of buildings;
ii. Automotive dealer new and usedsales;towing services;farm and implements,
tools and heavy construction equipment; Rental and Repairs uses; and other similar
uses that utilize outside storage/sales areas that alter existing parking lots.
15.13.030Development permit application—Type (1) review.
Applications for permits for Class (1) uses permitted outright in the district shall be made in writing to
the administrative official on forms supplied by the department. A general site plan conforming to the
provisions of YMC15.11.030shall accompany the application. The administrative official may
request any other information necessary to clarify the application or determine compliance with, and
provide for the enforcement of, this title.
15.13.040Review procedures.
The administrative official shall review all Class (1) uses for compliance with this title. The
administrative official shall forward all Class (1) uses requiring Type (2) review under
YMC15.13.020to the planning division for processing under YMC Chapter15.14. The
administrative official shall notify the applicant of the approval or denial of the application, request
additional information, or forward the application to the division for review.
15.13.050Approval.
The administrative official shall issue a Type (1) zoning decision when it has been determined that:
A.The proposed use is a Class (1) permitted use under YMC Chapter15.04;
B.That the proposed development complies with the standards and provisions of this title;
C.That the proposed development complies with other building codes in effect and administered
by the administrative official;
D.That proposed development complies with traffic engineering standards and policies
established by the appropriate jurisdiction to protect the function and satisfactory level ofservice of
arterial and collector streets; and
E.That any new improvements or expansions of a structure comply with the standards of this title.
15.13.060Denial.
When an application is denied, the administrative official shall state the specific reasons and shall
cite the specific chapters and sections of this title upon which denial is based. The administrative
official may also refer the applicant to the division to determine if relief from such denial is available
through other application.
15.13.070Appeals.
Any decision by the administrative official to deny issuance of a permit for a Class (1) use may be
appealed to the hearing examiner under the provisions of YMC15.1615.16.030.