HomeMy WebLinkAboutHE Determinaion SP 2024-005 Sundance Residential CareCITY OF PASCO
LAND USE HEARING EXAMINER
IN THE MATTER OF ) FINDINGS OF FACT,
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW,
SP 2024-005 ) DECISION AND
Sundance Residential Care ) CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
THIS MATTER having come on for hearing in front of the City of Pasco Hearing Examiner on August 14,
2024, the Hearing Examiner having taken evidence hereby submits the following Findings of Fact,
Conclusions of Law, Decision and Conditions of Approval as follows:
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
1. Applicant proposes to construct an approx. 9,000 sq. ft. single -story Enhanced Service Facility (ESF)
equipped with 16 live-in resident beds as defined by WAC 388-107. Project will also include amenities
such as a residential style kitchen, and several gathering areas for activities. Exterior improvements to
include hard scape (parking lot, sidewalks), landscaping and stormwater retention. Due to the
residential nature of the area the structure will have a residential appearance including asphalt shingled
roofing with a combination of lap siding and board/baton siding to match existing development
patterns. The facility would have 12 — 18 staff members spread among 3 — 4 shifts.
2. Per WAC 388-107-0010 relating to the scope and purpose of an ESF facility: "An enhanced services
facility will provide treatment and services to a maximum of sixteen residents for whom acute inpatient
treatment is not medically necessary and who have been determined by the department (Department of
Social and Health Services) to be inappropriate for placement in other licensed facilities due to the
complex needs that result in behavioral and security issues".
3. Timeline:
3.1. 28 March 2024
Application Submitted
3.2.
1 April 2024
Determination of Incomplete Application
3.3.
6 June 2024
Site Plan and Elevations Submitted
3.4.
11 June 2024
Application Deemed Complete
3.5.
1 July 2024
SEPA Determination of Non -Significance Issued
3.6.
28 July 2024
Application Noticed for Public Hearing
3.7.
7 August 2024
Public Hearing Staff Report Published
4. Abbreviated Legal: SHORT PLAT 8 1- 10 LOT 1 EXCEPT 30' FOR FUTURE ROAD EASEMENT
5. General Location: 1620 Road 44 (Parcel # 119-121-156) in Pasco, Washington.
6. Property Size: 0.92 acres.
7. ACCESS: The property has access from Road 44.
8. UTILITIES: Municipal water and sewer services are available in Road 44.
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9. LAND USE AND ZONING: The property is zoned O (Office) and is partially developed with an
approx. 7,185 sq. ft. multi -tenant office building on the easteni side of the lot. Surrounding properties
are zoned/developed as follows:
9.1. North: RS-20 Suburban Zone/Single Family Homes
9.2. East: RS-12 Residential Suburban/Single Family Homes
9.3. South: O Office/Health Center
9.4. West: RS-20 Suburban Zone/Single Family Homes
10. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The Comprehensive Plan designates this site as Low Density Residential.
The Low Density Residential land use designation allows for RS-20, RS-12, RS-1, R-1, R-1-A, and R-
1-A2 zoning districts and a variety of residential housing at a density of three (3) to six (6) dwelling
units per acre. The proposed use is considered an "Unclassified Use" and permissible in all the zoning
districts within the Low Density Residential land use, and the Office zoning district.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The City of Pasco (City) is the SEPA lead agency for this
project. Based on the SEPA checklist, the adopted City Comprehensive Plan, City development
regulations, and other information, a threshold determination resulting in a Determination of Non -
Significance (DNS) was issued on July 1st, 2024, for this project under WAC 197-11-355.
12. The site carries a primary address of 1620 Road 44 and contains an existing multi -tenant office building,
however, the western half of the site is undeveloped and is where the proposed facility would be
constructed. The site has primary access from Road 44 to the east.
13. The site was annexed into the City of Pasco in 1989 under Ordinance No. 2740 and assigned the O
Office zoning designation under Ordinance No. 2742 and has retained this zoning since. It should be
noted that Ordinance No. 2742 was passed correcting an error in the legal descriptions in Ordinance
No. 2740 the same year. Per Franklin County Assessor records the existing building on the eastern half
of the site was constructed in 1991 and is 7,185 sq. ft. in size. The site has been subject to one code
case, Pasco Case Number CEB2016-0526, for a business failing to renew its license. The subject
business is not related to the proposal or area of the site where the proposed facility would be
constructed.
14. Notice of the public hearing was sent to property owners within 300 feet of the subject property and
the Tri-City Herald newspaper on July 28, 2024.
15. The Applicant proposes to construct a new building approx. 9,000 sq. ft. in size to be used for a
Community Service Level Two (CSII) Facility which can be described as a ESF under WAC 388-107.
16. The new building will be constructed with a residential appearance in consideration of the residential
nature of the neighborhood.
17. The facility would include 16 live-in resident beds and amenities such as a residential kitchen and
several gathering areas for activities. Exterior improvements include hard scape (parking lot,
sidewalks), landscaping and stormwater retention.
18. The facility would have 12 — 18 staff members on 3 — 4 shifts.
19. The existing building was constructed on or around 1991 on the eastern portion of the lot.
20. The proposed building would be constructed on the undeveloped western portion of the lot.
21. CSII facilities are considered an Unclassified Use under Pasco Municipal Code (PMC) 25.200.020.
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22. Unclassified Uses are permitted via Special Permit in most zoning districts, including all zoning
districts permitted within the Comprehensive Plan's Low Density Residential Land Use designation.
23. Staff discussed with other jurisdictions with similar facilities that have already been approved and are
operating. The proposed use did not garner any noticeable difference in complaints or code violations
than uses surrounding the associated sites.
24. The site is zoned Office.
25. As per PMC 25.200.080, Upon conclusion of the open record hearing, the Hearing Examiner shall make
and enter findings from the record and conclusions thereof as to whether or not:
25.1. The proposal is in accordance with the goals, policies, objectives, maps and/or narrative
text of the Comprehensive Plan;
25.1.1. The Comprehensive Plan designates this site as "Low Density Residential." The Low
Density Residential land use designation allows for the RS-20, RS-12, RS-1, R-1, R-1-A, and
R-1-A2 zoning designations. However, the application is for an "Unclassified Use" under
PMC 25.200.020. While the current zoning of the site is O (Office), Unclassified Uses may
be permitted in both the O zoning district and all zoning districts within the "Low Density
Residential" designation.
25.1.1.1. Land Use Policy LU-4-B: Encourage infill and higher density uses within
proximity to major travel corridors and public transportation service areas. The
proposed project would be classified as an infill development as it is located on a
property that, while having been developed in 1991, has had half remaining as
undeveloped/underutilized for a considerable amount of time. The site is located less
than 500 feet away from W Court Street, which is classified as an arterial road, and a
bus stop is located on the northwest corner of W Court Street and Road 44.
25.1.1.2. Economic Development Policy ED-3-A: Enhance compatibility of commercial
and industrial development with residential and mixed -use neighborhoods with
appropriate landscaping, screening, building and design standards. The proposed
facility would be required to install solid screening and landscaping, if not already
present, to meet compliance with the PMC. Further, while not required, the applicants
would utilize construction materials such that the building would appear residential in
nature.
25.1.1.3. Utilities Policy UT-3-A: Require adequate provision of storm water facilities with
all new land development. The proposed facility would be required to maintain all storm
water on -site. The proposal includes the construction of stormwater management
facilities.
25.2. The proposal will adversely affect public infrastructure;
25.2.1. Accesses to the site are established and include items such as curb, gutter, sidewalk, and
street lighting. Utilities are available to the site and have been designed and constructed to
accommodate current uses. The proposed use will not increase the need for infrastructure
improvements and is unlikely to adversely impact existing infrastructure.
25.3. The proposal will be constructed, maintained and operated to be in harmony with the
existing or intended character of the general vicinity;
25.3.1. The properties in the general vicinity include residential, commercial, and office uses. The
proposal is subject to the City's outdoor lighting and noise Ordinances. While there may be
an increase in traffic to the site it is not anticipated to adversely impact infrastructure or
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surrounding uses and should be similar to the site's current use as a multi -tenant office
building.
25.4. The location and height of proposed structures and the site design will discourage the
development of permitted uses on property in the general vicinity or impair the value thereof;
25.4.1. The proposed structure will be less than 25' in height and is proposed to be constructed out
of materials similar to those used in residential dwelling construction. The intent of the
building design is to match the residential nature of surrounding development.
25.5. The operations in connection with the proposal will be more objectionable to nearby
properties by reason of noise, fumes, vibrations, dust, traffic, or flashing lights than would be the
operation of any permitted uses within the district;
25.5.1. The proposal was analyzed under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and impacts
related to noise, fumes, vibrations, dust, traffic, or flashing lights were analyzed as a part of
the review. Based on the information provided, requirements of PMC and Pasco Design &
Construction Standards should mitigate impacts to the built and natural environment. It is not
anticipated that the proposal would be more objectionable to nearby properties by reason of
noise, fumes, vibrations, dust, traffic, or flashing lights.
25.6. The proposal will endanger the public health or safety if located and developed where
proposed, or in any way will become a nuisance to uses permitted in the district.
25.6.1. The proposal is required to adhere to PMC, including, but not limited to provisions such as
the outdoor lighting and noise ordinances. The use, CSII, is subject to periodic reviews for
compliance with conditions of approval imposed under the special permit and PMC. If the
proposed facility violates the special permit conditions of approval or the PMC code cases
would be opened and violation remediating steps will be issued and undertaken. Additionally,
at the special permit for the use may be revoked.
26. An open record public hearing was held, after legal notice, on August 14, 2024.
27. The Applicant did not appear at the hearing. The Applicant was sent notice of the date, place and time
for the hearing.
28. No member of the public testified at the hearing.
29. The entire Planning Staff file was admitted into the record.
30. The City of Pasco Hearing Examiner considered all evidence within the record in rendering this
decision.
31. Any Conclusion of Law that is more correctly a Finding of Fact is hereby incorporated as such by this
reference.
II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
The Hearing Examiner has been granted the authority to render this decision.
As conditioned, this project is consistent with the Pasco Comprehensive Plan and Pasco Municipal
Code.
Any Finding of Fact that is more correctly a Conclusion of Law is hereby incorporated as such by
this reference.
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M. DECISION
Based on the above Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, SP2024-010 is hereby APPROVED
subject to the following Conditions of Approval.
IV. CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
1. The special permit shall apply to the property addressed Road 44 (Parcel # 119-121-156), and any
subsequent subdivision(s) thereof.
2. The applicant shall adhere to all Federal, State and City building, fire and life safety codes.
3. The site shall be reviewed annually for noise, nuisance, and safety concerns.
4. The special permit shall become null and void if one or more of the following occur on the premise:
4.1. The site becomes a public nuisance, as defined in PMC 9.90.
4.2. Nuisance activities, as defined in PMC 9.90 persist at the site.
Dated this day of August, 2024
CITY OF PASCO HEARING EXAMINER
Andrew L. Kottkamp
Absent a timely appeal, this Decision is final'
' See Ch. 36.70C RCW (establishing a 21 day appeal period to superior court, and setting forth necessary review
contents, along with filing and service requirements).
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