Chapter 2.18
YAKIMA URBAN AREA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION*

Sections:

2.18.005    Definitions.

2.18.010    County Planning Commission – Authority and Jurisdiction.

2.18.020    Regional Planning Commission – Authority and Jurisdiction.

2.18.030    Organization and Procedures.

2.18.040    Duties.

*    For statutory provisions regarding planning commissions and departments, see RCW 36.70.

2.18.005 Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1)    “Yakima urban area” means that geographical area described and depicted by the Yakima Urban Area Planning Agreement as amended to date or as hereafter amended.

(2)    “Yakima Urban Area Regional Planning Agreement” means that certain agreement entitled Urban Yakima Area Regional Planning Agreement dated January 25, 1977 by and between the city of Yakima, the county of Yakima, and the town of Union Gap, Washington, as amended to date or as hereafter amended.

(Ord. 8-1985 §2(part), 1986).

2.18.010 County Planning Commission – Authority and Jurisdiction.

The county planning commission created by and organized under Ordinance No. 6-1965, codified in Chapter 2.16 of this code, is divested of all further jurisdiction and authority of any kind within the unincorporated portions of the county located within the Yakima urban area. Provided, such commission may complete the processing of applications for (1) planned unit development zones under Chapter 15.56 of this code and (2) long subdivisions under RCW Chapter 58.17 and Title 14 of this code which were legally filed and diligently processed before, and which are still pending on, the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(Ord. 8-1985 §2(part), 1986).

2.18.020 Regional Planning Commission – Authority and jurisdiction.

The regional planning commission created by and pursuant to the Yakima Urban Area Regional Planning Agreement to which the county is a party, shall constitute and serve as the planning commission for the county within the unincorporated portions of the county located within the Yakima urban area. Such commission shall have full authority and jurisdiction within such area 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 which have been conferred on the office of hearing examiner shall be performed by the examiner.

(Ord. 8-1985 §2(part), 1986).

2.18.030 Organization and procedures.

The regional planning commission shall perform its duties and functions under the provisions and procedures of RCW Chapter 36.70 and the Yakima Urban Area Regional Planning Agreement which provisions are recognized, ratified and adopted as the organizational and procedural basis of such commission.

(Ord. 8-1985 §2 (part), 1986).

2.18.040 Duties.

(1)    The duties of the county urban area regional planning commission within the Yakima urban area, shall be as set forth in RCW Chapter 36.70, the Yakima Urban Area Regional Planning Agreement, by county ordinance or as may be assigned or requested from time to time by the board of county commissioners.

(2)    Such duties shall include, but are not limited to:

(a)    Serving as the long-range planning body for the Yakima urban area and the unincorporated portions of the county located within such area;

(b)    Monitor the growth and development of the Yakima urban area and the unincorporated portions thereof and continually reevaluate and recommend revisions to the comprehensive plan and Yakima urban area zoning ordinance (codified in Title 15A of this code);

(c)    Develop and recommend a subdivision ordinance for the Yakima urban area and the unincorporated portions thereof, and revisions thereto;

(d)    Investigate and make recommendations on other land use matters within or affecting the Yakima urban area and unincorporated portions thereof, upon appropriate request or upon its own initiation;

(e)    Study and report on all proposed text changes to land use ordinances within the Yakima urban area and unincorporated portions thereof;

(f)    Advise the board of county commissioners on land use matters within or affecting the Yakima urban area and unincorporated portions of the county located within such area;

(g)    Monitor the hearings of the hearing examiner in order to stay informed of development activities, the concerns of the public, and the decisions of the examiner;

(h)    Such other functions authorized or required by law or by ordinance, or as requested or assigned by the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. 8-1985 §2(part), 1986).