HomeMy WebLinkAbout4680 Resolution - Initiating Emergency CPA for LDR Land Use R-S-20 Zone (CPA2025-002)
Resolution – Initiating Emergency CPA LDR Land Use R-S-20 Zone (CPA2025-002)- 1
RESOLUTION NO. 4680
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON,
AUTHORIZING THE INITIATION OF AN EMERGENCY AMENDMENT TO
THE CITY’S 2022 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AMENDING THE FUTURE
LAND USE MAP DESCRIPTIONS AND PASCO MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 25.215.015 “COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE DENSITY
TABLE” RELATED TO THE 2022 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WHEREAS, “Emergency amendment” means any proposed change or revision to the
Comprehensive Plan that arises from a situation that necessitates expeditious action to preserve
the health, safety or welfare of the public, or to support the social, economic or environmental
well-being of the City; and
WHEREAS, emergency amendments may be reviewed and acted upon outside the annual
amendment review cycle; and
WHEREAS, such amendments shall be initiated by Resolution approved by a vote of the
Council upon a finding that a situation exists that necessitates expeditious action to preserve the
health, safety or welfare of the public, or to support the social, economic or environmental well-
being of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Growth Management Act (“GMA”), RCW 36.70A.130, allows
comprehensive plan amendments to occur no more than once per year, except in certain
circumstances, including whenever an emergency exists; and
WHEREAS, on April 17, 2023, the City passed Ordinance No. 4663, amending PMC
25.215.015 and the associated comprehensive plan land use density table, Table LU-1, revising
the allowable gross density for zoning districts classified as Low Density Residential from two to
five dwelling units per acre to three to six dwelling units per acre; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 4663 also established that the gross density of any proposed
development within any zoning district shall be no less than the corresponding minimum density
expressed in PMC 25.215.015; and
WHEREAS, the R-S-20 zone is classified as Low Density Residential under the
comprehensive plan and is subject to the requirements of PMC 25.215.015; and
WHEREAS, the minimum lot size in the R-S-20 zone is 20,000 square feet; and
WHEREAS, one acre is 43,560 square feet; and
WHEREAS, a one-acre lot in the R-S-20 zone could only be divided into two dwelling
units to keep with the required minimum lot size; however, such density is prohibited under PMC
25.215.015; and
Resolution – Initiating Emergency CPA LDR Land Use R-S-20 Zone (CPA2025-002)- 2
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 4663 has resulted in an effective moratorium on small-lot
development in the R-S-20 zone; and
WHEREAS, the City has received requests from property owners in the R-S-20 zone to
divide their property and the City has had to deny the applications for failure to comply with the
requirements of PMC 25.215.015; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that the circumstances limiting development in the R -S-20
zone are so compelling as to constitute an emergency within the meaning of RCW
36.70A.130(2)(a), WAC 365-196-640(3)(b)(vii), and PMC 25.215.020(3)(c); and
WHEREAS, appropriate public notice and opportunity for public comment will be
provided prior to adoption of the emergency amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PASCO, WASHINGTON:
That the City Council hereby finds and declares that an emergency exists, necessitating
immediate action by the City to amend the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Density Table and PMC
25.215.015, without waiting for the next periodic Comprehensive Plan update, due to the effective
prohibition on small-lot development in the R-S-20 zone. Amending the Comprehensive Plan is
necessary to support the social and economic well-being of the City by allowing property owners
within the R-S-20 zoning district to develop and divide their land under limited circumstances
consistent with the standards in place prior to the adoption of Ordinance No. 4663, while retaining
the flexibility to maintain a maximum density of six dwelling units per acre.
Be It Further Resolved, that the City Manager, or his designee (e.g., Planning Division)
is hereby directed to initiate consideration of a proposed amendment to Table LU-1 and PMC
25.215.015, returning the gross density for zoning districts classified as Low Density Residential
to two to five dwelling units per acre, with the option to utilize a range of two to six dwelling units
per acre. This amendment shall be processed as soon as possible and outside the once-per-year
frequency limitation established under RCW 36.70A.130(2)(a) and WAC 365-196-640(3)(b)(vii).
Be It Further Resolved, appropriate public notice and an opportunity for public comment,
as determined by the nature of the emergency, shall precede the adoption of the emergency
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.
Be It Further Resolved, that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Resolution – Initiating Emergency CPA LDR Land Use R-S-20 Zone (CPA2025-002)- 3
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington, on this 17th day of
November, 2025.
_____________________________
David Milne
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________ ___________________________
Debra Barham, MMC Kerr Ferguson Law, PLLC
City Clerk City Attorneys