Chapter 18.13
ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

Sections:

18.13.010    Administrative review – Generally.

18.13.020    Administrative site plan review.

18.13.030    Short subdivision.

18.13.040    Administrative subdivision.

18.13.050    Subdivision alterations and amendments.

18.13.060    Administrative variance.

18.13.010 Administrative review – Generally.

The purpose of the administrative review process is to ensure that projects are consistent with applicable development, construction, and design standards of the Unified Development Code and that all impacts attributable to a development are fully mitigated to ensure the use is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Administrative permits are discretionary and require public notice and comment periods, but do not require a public hearing. Administrative permits include:

A. Administrative site plan review;

B. Short subdivision;

C. Administrative subdivision;

D. Subdivision alterations and amendments;

E. Administrative variance. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).

18.13.020 Administrative site plan review.

A. When Required. Administrative site plan review approval is required prior to:

1. The use of property for new commercial, industrial, institutional, or public purposes.

2. The construction of any new commercial, industrial, institutional, or public building.

3. The construction of any new residential building with 10 or more dwelling units.

4. Manufactured housing community.

5. The expansion of a commercial, industrial, institutional, or public building which is greater than 25 percent of the building footprint at the time it was originally permitted.

6. The use of property for freestanding wireless communication facilities listed as a permitted use.

B. Decision Making Authority. The site plan review committee shall process administrative site plan review permits as provided in Chapter 18.10 YMC.

C. Criteria for Approval. An administrative site plan review shall be approved if the proposal complies with all applicable development, construction, and design standards of the Unified Development Code and the site plan review committee finds that any impacts to neighboring properties and the transportation system are mitigated, and the proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Yelm comprehensive plan.

D. Term. Approval of an administrative site plan review shall be effective for 18 months from the date of approval, unless construction has begun or civil plans have been approved, in which case the permit is effective until the expiration of civil plan approval or upon project completion, whichever is first. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).

18.13.030 Short subdivision.

A. When Required. A short subdivision is required for the division of land into nine or fewer parcels for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership.

B. Decision Making Authority. The community development director or his/her designee shall process short subdivisions as provided in Chapter 18.10 YMC.

C. Criteria for Approval. A short subdivision shall be approved if:

1. Appropriate provisions are made for the public health, safety and general welfare and for such open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and school grounds, sidewalks, and other features assuring safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school;

2. The public use and interest will be served by the platting of such subdivision and any dedication;

3. The proposed subdivision is in conformity with applicable zoning and other development regulations;

4. Public facilities impacted by the proposed subdivision will be adequate and available to serve the subdivision concurrently with the development or a plan to finance needed public facilities in time to assure retention of an adequate level of service;

5. The project is within an approved sewer service area with capacity to serve all lots within the subdivision.

D. Term. Approval of a short subdivision shall be for five years from the date of approval. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).

18.13.040 Administrative subdivision.

A. When Required. An administrative subdivision is required for the division of land into between 10 and 24 lots, for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, unless a public hearing is requested pursuant to RCW 58.17.095(1).

B. Decision Making Authority. The site plan review committee shall process administrative subdivisions as provided in Chapter 18.10 YMC.

C. Criteria for Approval. An administrative subdivision shall be approved if:

1. Appropriate provisions are made for the public health, safety and general welfare and for such open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and school grounds, sidewalks and other features assuring safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school;

2. The public use and interest will be served by the platting of such subdivision and any dedication;

3. The proposed subdivision is in conformity with applicable zoning and other development regulations;

4. Public facilities impacted by the proposed subdivision will be adequate and available to serve the subdivision concurrently with the development or a plan to finance needed public facilities in time to assure retention of an adequate level of service;

5. The project is within an approved sewer service area with capacity to serve all lots within the subdivision.

D. Term. Approval of an administrative subdivision shall be for five years from the date of approval. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).

18.13.050 Subdivision alterations and amendments.

A. When Required. A subdivision alteration or amendment is required when any changes or alterations are requested to an approved subdivision.

B. Decision Making Authority. The site plan review committee shall process administrative subdivisions as provided in Chapter 18.10 YMC unless a public hearing is requested pursuant to RCW 58.17.215.

C. Criteria for Approval. A subdivision alteration or modification shall be approved if the proposed alteration is in conformity with applicable zoning and other development regulations, and the site plan review committee finds that any impacts to neighboring properties and the transportation system are mitigated, and the proposal is consistent with the goals and policies of the Yelm comprehensive plan;

D. Term. Approval of an alteration or amendment shall be for five years from the date of approval, unless construction has begun and all other required permits have issued, in which case the permit is effective until the expiration of all other permits or upon project completion, whichever is first. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).

18.13.060 Administrative variance.

A. When Required. An administrative variance is required when the requested front, side, or rear yard setback is greater than 85 percent of the required setback.

B. Decision Making Authority. The site plan review committee shall process all administrative variances as provided in Chapter 18.10 YMC.

C. Criteria for Approval. An administrative variance shall be approved if:

1. Literal interpretation and application of provisions of this code would deprive the applicant of the rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district;

2. A variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a property right possessed by other property in the same vicinity or district, but which is denied to the property in question because of special circumstances on that property;

3. That the hardship described under this subsection is specifically related to the property and is the result of unique conditions such as irregular lot shape, size, or natural features, and the application of this code, and not, for example, from deed restrictions or the applicant’s own actions;

4. The granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the right of other property owners in the vicinity; and

5. The variance will not permit a use prohibited by the Unified Development Code, in the district in which the subject property is located.

D. Term. Approval of an administrative variance shall be effective for 18 months from the date of approval, unless construction has begun and all other required permits have issued, in which case the permit is effective until the expiration of all other permits or upon project completion, whichever is first. (Ord. 995 § 12 (Exh. A), 2015).