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Yakima City Council opens 2025–26 comprehensive plan amendment process; planning manager previews middle‑housing changes
Summary
Planning manager Trevor Martin reviewed planning and zoning history and new state mandates for middle housing. The council adopted a resolution opening the consolidated 2025–26 comprehensive plan amendment period (6–0).
Trevor Martin, the City of Yakima planning manager, outlined planning and zoning basics and the implications of recent state laws on housing before the council authorized a formal update to the city’s comprehensive plan.
Martin told the council, “My name is Trevor Martin. I'm the planning manager here in the City Of Yakima,” and then walked through the history and legal framework that guides city land‑use policy, from early zoning to the state Growth Management Act. He highlighted House Bill 1110 on “middle housing” and told councilmembers the city will have to allow duplexes through fourplexes on many single‑family lots under the state timeline.
The presentation explained why the comprehensive plan matters: it guides physical development, coordinates capital facilities and transportation plans and is a prerequisite for some state funding. Martin said the city’s periodic update must be completed for state review by early 2026 and adopted by council by June 30, 2026 (an extension of that deadline was mentioned as possible). He also reviewed accessory dwelling unit requirements and other recent state bills affecting local zoning.
After the presentation the council considered a formal resolution to open the consolidated comprehensive plan amendment process for 2025–26. The clerk read the resolution as "opening the 2025 through 2026 comprehensive plan amendment process pursuant to RCW 36.7080.13 and YMC chapter 16.1." The council adopted the resolution by roll call vote, 6–0 (Mayor absent). The clerk recorded yes votes from Councilmembers Berg, Brown, Decio, Glenn, Herrera and Roy.
Why it matters: the Growth Management Act and related state requirements shape local zoning, funding eligibility and the city’s ability to respond to state mandates such as middle‑housing rules. Martin said the city will use recent utility and service plans to inform the land‑use capacity analysis during the periodic update.
Next steps: Council asked staff to continue the periodic update and to coordinate required public engagement, planning‑commission review, SEPA work and eventual council hearings tied to the amendment process. Martin said staff will bring additional detail as the process progresses.
