Yelm hearing examiner pauses decision on variance to allow 39-home Reserve at Palisades; safety, access remain central concerns

The Yelm hearing examiner on Oct. 12 heard argument and public comment on a variance request that would allow 39 single‑family homes in the Reserve at Palisades subdivision (project LD2024.0072) to be served by a single access rather than the two access points required by Yelm Municipal Code 18.52.080. Examiner Mark Scheipmeyer said he would not issue a decision at the hearing and would issue a written decision within 10 working days.

City staff described the variance request and recommended conditional approval. City planner/staff member Kohler told the examiner the proposal would add 39 single‑family units served by one access but that the preliminary plat depicts a future connection from Road B to an adjacent parcel and that the city recommends a condition requiring that future connection and NFPA‑approved automatic sprinklers in each new home. Kohler said the Yelm municipal code requires two accesses for developments of 25 or more homes, while the International Fire Code (IFC) requires two accesses for developments of more than 30 units but offers exceptions if homes are sprinklered or if roads connect to future development.

The city also reported WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation) has jurisdiction over State Route 507 and has denied direct project access to SR 507 at this location; WSDOT indicated previously that two connections to Palisades satisfied spacing concerns in their view, but city staff disagreed, noting Palisades Street…