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Council approves first reading of 2022 comprehensive plan amendments; related zoning ordinance moves forward
Summary
On Feb. 4 the Richland City Council approved on first reading ordinances to add the 2022 comprehensive-plan docket to the existing 2017 comprehensive plan and to amend the city's zoning map to conform with that update. The package includes four docket items: an updated capital facilities map, two site-specific land‑use rezoning requests and a Badg
The Richland City Council approved on first reading ordinance 2025-04 to incorporate the 2022 comprehensive-plan docket into the existing 2017 comprehensive plan and approved ordinance 2025-05 to amend the city's zoning regulations to conform with that update.
The package covers four applications from the 2022 docket that staff and the planning commission reviewed: replacement of the capital facilities map with an updated map adopted as part of the 2019–2025 parks and recreation master plan; a CityView site proposal to change roughly 10 acres from high-density residential to commercial; a Clearwater Creek site reclassification of about 10.5 acres from commercial to medium-density residential (rezoning from C-1 to R-2S); and a roughly 13-acre change in the Badger Mountain South subarea (Tract C) from a civic designation to low-density residential with a rezone to R-1-12.
“For the record, I'm Mike Stevens, planning manager here for the city of Richland,” Mike Stevens said while outlining the docket. He told council that the CityView proposal was reviewed and recommended for denial by the planning commission, while the other applications advanced through the commission.
Stevens explained that the Badger Mountain South item is tied to a contract amendment with the developer (referred to in the record as Grama and, in related remarks, NORAM) and that state law requires a single public hearing on all comprehensive-plan amendments submitted in a calendar year. Because the contract amendment with the developer must be considered at a later meeting, second reading on the ordinances will be scheduled to align with that contract item.
Council members asked questions about specific sites and the practical effect of the Badger Mountain amendment. Council member Luxon recalled prior council consideration of the Hayden Homes proposal at the Clearwater Creek site and noted earlier votes; Stevens confirmed the history and the planning commission recommendation.
Council member Kurt Meyer moved to approve ordinance 2025-04; the motion passed on roll call 6–1. Mayor Richardson, Mayor Pro Tem Kent, Council members Luxon, Meyer, Witten and Van Dyke voted aye; Council member Jones voted no. The separate zoning ordinance, 2025-05, also passed on a 6–1 roll-call vote with Jones opposing.
The ordinances received first-reading approval; staff said second reading and final action will be scheduled in coordination with the related contract amendment for Badger Mountain South. No public testimony was offered during the public hearing on these docket items.
What happens next: the council will consider the developer contract amendment and take second reading on the ordinances at a later meeting, per the timeline Stevens described.
