Chapter 19.10
ADMINISTRATION

Sections:

19.10.010    Interpretation.

19.10.020    Official Zoning Map.

19.10.030    Legislative amendments.

19.10.040    Duties of the Planning Department.

19.10.050    Reserved.

19.10.060    Planning Commission.

19.10.070    City Council.

19.10.080    Compliance.

19.10.010 Interpretation.

A. In its interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the City of Mountlake Terrace Comprehensive Plan; to secure safety from fire and other dangers; to provide adequate light and air; to prevent the overcrowding of land; to facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage, schools, parks, and other public services; and to promote the public interest, health, comfort, convenience, safety, and general welfare.

B. Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any district shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:

1. Where district boundaries are indicated as approximately following centerlines of streets, alleys, or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries; and

2. Where a district boundary divides a lot of single ownership which is a lot of record at the time of enactment of the ordinance codified in this title, the less restrictive zoning requirements may be extended not more than 35 feet into the more restrictive zoning district adjacent to the zoning district boundary line. The more restrictive zoning requirements would apply on the remainder of the lot.

3. Where any street, road, or alley is hereafter officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to each parcel of abutting property shall apply to that portion of such street, road, or alley added to the property by virtue of such vacation or abandonment.

4. All lands not classified according to the established district classifications on the Official Zoning Map, and all lands not shown on the Map, shall be classified as RS 8.4, pending study, public hearing, and specific classification by the Planning Commission and City Council. (Amended by City request, 1/11; Ord. 2074 § 2.1, 1995).

19.10.020 Official Zoning Map.

The locations and boundaries of the zoning districts shall be as shown on the map accompanying the ordinance codified in this chapter and entitled, “Official Zoning Map, Mountlake Terrace, Washington.” The Official Zoning Map and all the notations, references, and all amendments thereto are hereby adopted by the ordinance codified in this chapter and, by this reference, the information set forth on said map is adopted as if set forth in full. (Ord. 2774 § 4, 2020; Ord. 2760 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2757 § 4, 2019; Ord. 2721 § 4, 2018; Ord. 2720 § 13, 2018; Ord. 2681 § 3, 2016; Ord. 2650 § 3, 2014; Ord. 2559 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2527 § 2, 2009; Ord. 2501 § 2, 2008; Ord. 2074 § 2.2, 1995).

19.10.030 Legislative amendments.

A. Amendments to Official Zoning Map (Rezone). The Planning Department, Commission, or Council may initiate amendments to the Official Zoning Map, or any member of the public may request an amendment to the Official Zoning Map, according to the procedures set forth in Chapter 19.110 MTMC (Zoning Permits).

B. Amendments to Zoning Text.

1. Except for procedural amendments, amendments to the text of this title shall be processed in accordance with the regulations of Chapter 19.110 MTMC (Zoning Permits).

2. Procedural amendments to the text of this title, which do not impose, remove, or modify any existing regulations shall be initiated and processed in the same manner as amendments proposing substantive changes except that no public hearing shall be required by either the Commission or Council. (Ord. 2074 § 2.3, 1995).

19.10.040 Duties of the Planning Department.

The Planning Department, or their designee, shall have the following responsibilities as related to the provisions of this title:

A. Advise interested citizens of the provisions of this title; and

B. Decide matters of interpretation or applicability; and

C. Review proposed development for conformance with the provisions of this title; and

D. Monitor the effectiveness of the regulations of this title and recommend amendments to the Planning Commission; and

E. Serve as the enforcement official; and

F. Maintain a current Official Zoning Map and permit files and records. (Ord. 2074 § 2.4, 1995).

19.10.050 Reserved.

(Ord. 2481 § 48, 2008; Ord. 2074 § 2.5, 1995).

19.10.060 Planning Commission.

A. The Planning Commission consists of eight members, seven appointed by the Mayor and one ex-officio member. The term of office of the appointed members is six years, and members are selected without respect to political affiliations and serve without compensation.

B. The Planning Commission shall hold open record public hearings for:

1. Comprehensive Plan and Map Changes; and

2. Zoning Map and text changes.

C. The Planning Commission shall have the following duties and responsibilities as related to the provisions of this title:

1. Review conditional use permit applications with the exception of accessory conditional use permits and make recommendations to the Hearing Examiner; and

2. Review all Planned Unit Developments and make recommendations to the Council; and

3. Initiate amendments and review applications to amend the Official Zoning Map, the text of this title and the Comprehensive Plan, and make recommendations to the Council; and

4. Review all preliminary and final site plan applications in Special Development and Freeway/Tourist zone districts and file a report with recommendations to the Council; and

5. Review and grant or deny or grant with conditions all other site plan applications; and

6. Shall also consider and file a report making recommendations to the City Council regarding subdivisions. (Ord. 2811 § 24, 2022; amended by City request, 1/11; Ord. 2481 § 49, 2008; Ord. 2116, 1996; Ord. 2074 § 2.6, 1995).

19.10.070 City Council.

A. The City Council consists of seven members, including the Mayor, that serve four-year terms. The Mayor is elected by a majority of the Council, and the remaining six Council members are elected officials.

B. The City Council shall have the following duties and responsibilities as related to the provisions of this title:

1. They shall hold open record public hearings to review, grant or deny, or grant with conditions planned unit developments, amendments to the Official Zoning Map (rezones), zoning text amendments, Comprehensive Plan amendments, and Comprehensive Plan Map amendments. (Ord. 2811 § 25, 2022; Ord. 2074 § 2.7, 1995).

19.10.080 Compliance.

A. The provisions of this title shall be considered the minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.

B. No building, structure, or land shall be used or occupied, and no structure shall be constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in conformity with the provisions of this title.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to violate the provisions of this title. The penalties for violation are set forth in Chapter 19.140 MTMC (Enforcement). (Ord. 2116, 1996; Ord. 2074 § 2.8, 1995).