Chapter 1.42
PLANNING COMMISSION*
Sections:
1.42.010 Planning commission—Authority.
1.42.020 Organization and procedures.
1.42.025 Membership—Appointment—Terms.
1.42.026 Residence of members.
1.42.027 Vacancy filling—Unexpired terms.
1.42.070 Yakima urban area comprehensive plan—Adoption and amendment procedures.
* See Charter Article VIII, Section 1; Zoning—See Title 15 of this code.
1.42.010 Planning commission—Authority.
The city of Yakima planning commission shall have the full authority and jurisdiction to perform all acts, duties and functions which are either required of or imparted or conferred on a planning commission by law or ordinance. Provided, any duties or functions of the planning commission which are conferred on the office of hearing examiner shall be performed by such examiner. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010: Ord. 2948 § 3 (part), 1986).
1.42.020 Organization and procedures.
The commission shall perform its duties and functions as the planning commission of the city of Yakima under the provisions and procedures of RCW Chapter 35.63. The planning commission may adopt its own bylaws and rules of procedure as long as they do not conflict with RCW Chapter 35.63 or this chapter. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010: Ord. 2948 § 3 (part), 1986).
1.42.025 Membership—Appointment—Terms.
A. The city planning commission shall consist of eleven members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. The term of office for each appointive member shall be four years.
B. The members of the city planning commission shall be selected without respect to political affiliation and they shall serve without compensation.
C. No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms, provided a person appointed to fill unexpired terms of less than two years is eligible to serve two successive four-year terms; and provided further, a person who is ineligible to serve for having served two consecutive terms may again serve after two years have elapsed from the end of the second such term.
D. A maximum of one member of the city planning commission may also be a member of the historic preservation commission. A maximum of one member of the city planning commission may also be a member of the tree board. A maximum of one member of the city planning commission may also be a member of the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2017-018 § 1, 2017: Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010).
1.42.026 Residence of members.
No person shall hold the office of member of the city planning commission unless that person is either (1) a resident of the city of Yakima, or (2) an owner of a business or of real property that is located within the city of Yakima. The office of member of the city planning commission shall become vacant upon such member ceasing to meet the requirements of either subsection (1) or (2), or both, as described in this section. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2012-55 § 1, 2012: Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010).
1.42.027 Vacancy filling—Unexpired terms.
Vacancies occurring otherwise than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members may be removed, after public hearing, by the mayor, with the approval of the city council, for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010).
1.42.028 Council liaisons.
The city council may appoint up to two council member liaisons to the planning commission. Said liaisons are not considered members of the planning commission, shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the commission and shall not actively participate in any matter that will come to the city council for ultimate decision. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024).
1.42.030 Duties.
The duties of the city planning commission shall be as set forth in RCW 35.63.060, by city ordinance, or as may be assigned or requested from time to time by the city council. Such duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Serving as the long-range planning body for the city of Yakima;
2. Monitor the growth and development of the city and continually reevaluate and recommend to the city council revisions to the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance for the city;
3. Develop and recommend to the city council a subdivision ordinance for the city and revisions thereto;
4. Investigate and make recommendations on other land use matters as may be requested by the city council or on its own initiative;
5. Study and report on all proposed text changes to land use ordinances;
6. Advise the city council on land use matters;
7. Monitor the hearings of the hearing examiner in order to remain informed on development activities, public concerns and the decisions of the hearing examiner;
8. Work with, provide support, and give guidance to subcommittees associated with the planning commission, as appropriate;
9. Such other planning functions as authorized or required by law or ordinance or as requested or assigned by the city council. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010: Ord. 2948 § 3 (part), 1986).
1.42.070 Yakima urban area comprehensive plan—Adoption and amendment procedures.
A. Plan Adoption. The Yakima urban area comprehensive plan (“the plan”) shall consist of the most recently adopted and approved Yakima urban area comprehensive plan, which at the time of this chapter amendment is the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan 2025, adopted by Ordinance No. 2006-62 on December 15, 2006, the Terrace Heights Neighborhood Plan adopted on June 4, 1999 and as amended, and the West Valley Neighborhood Plan, as adopted and amended. The plan and its elements and plans including those incorporated by reference are hereby adopted as the official comprehensive land use plan for the city of Yakima, as required by Chapter 36.70A RCW.
B. Plan Amendments. Requests for amendments to the Yakima urban area comprehensive plan may be submitted in accord with YMC 16.10.030, and will be docketed for review and acted upon as provided in RCW 36.70A.130 and YMC Chapter 16.10. Proposed amendments shall be considered concurrently to ascertain the cumulative effect of the various proposals. Initial adoption of subarea plans and the adoption or amendment of a shoreline master program are not subject to the docketing requirement, and may be considered independently of the annual amendment process. Amendments to the plan may also be considered whenever an emergency exists, or to resolve an appeal of the plan filed with the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, following appropriate public participation.
C. Amendment Review Process. Proposed amendments to the plan shall be submitted to the city of Yakima department of community and economic development, along with the required application fee, for review by the city planning commission pursuant to YMC 16.10.050. The city planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing to receive public testimony on proposed amendments, and shall forward its recommendation regarding proposed amendments to the city council, as outlined in YMC Chapter 16.10. The city council, pursuant to YMC 16.10.090, shall hold at least one public hearing on the city planning commission’s recommendation. The city council may refer any proposed amendment back to the city planning commission for further consideration and recommendation. The city council may amend the plan or reject any proposed amendments subsequent to the city council public hearing.
D. Existing Land Use Regulatory Ordinances Remain in Effect. All existing land use regulatory ordinances and land use controls shall remain in effect, including Title 15, Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance; city of Yakima official zoning map; Title 14, Subdivisions; YMC Chapter 6.88, Environmental Policy; and YMC Chapter 15.27, Critical Areas, until such time that these ordinances are amended. Future land use decisions shall be based upon these ordinances, as periodically amended.
E. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of the adopted Yakima urban area comprehensive plan should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any body or court with authority and jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, clause or phrase of the adopted Yakima urban area comprehensive plan.
F. Revival of Plan Upon Invalidation. In the event that an updated Yakima urban area comprehensive plan, or any portion thereof, is invalidated by the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, or any other body or court with authority and jurisdiction, the prior-approved Yakima urban area comprehensive plan, or the relevant portions thereof, shall be revived and shall be in effect until a new comprehensive plan or new relevant portions are established. (Ord. 2024-006 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2013-021 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013: Ord. 2011-10 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2010-22 § 1 (part), 2010: Ord. 99-33 § 1, 1999; Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997: Ord. 2579 § 1, 1981: Ord. 972 § 1, 1967: Ord. 779 §§ 1, 2, 1966).