Planning commission backs emergency comp-plan amendment to add Pasco School District capital plan

The Pasco Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt CPA2025-001, an emergency amendment to add the Pasco School District 2025 Capital Facilities Plan to the city's comprehensive plan. Staff said the amendment was initiated by City Council and is being processed as an emergency, with final action expected by council within 60 days.

Mr. Raymond, a planning staff member presenting the item, told the commission the district's updated capital facilities plan includes six statutory elements — standards of service, inventory of facilities, capacity by grade span, a six‑year enrollment forecast, facility needs and costs, and a finance plan including school-impact fees. He said the City Council adopted Ordinance 47.74 on June 15 revising impact fees; “Single family dwelling impact fees were completely eliminated, and multifamily fees change from 4,525 per unit down to $2,595 per unit,” Raymond said, describing the large fee reductions tied to recently completed district projects.

Commissioners asked whether impact fees are paid by developers or individual permit applicants; Raymond explained impact fees apply when obtaining building permits and that funding for facilities typically comes from a mix of impact fees, bonds and levies. He also noted state rules require a direct nexus between new development and the student population that the fees would fund.

Commissioner Pat Jones moved the recommendation to approve CPA2025-001; Commissioner Jay Handler seconded. The commission approved the motion by unanimous voice vote. Staff said the City Council will take up final action on the amendment within the 60-day timeframe noted in the process.

The recommendation advances the district's adopted capital plan into the city's official comprehensive plan, enabling the funding and planning mechanisms described by staff to move forward at the council level.