Richland council approves multiple rezones and routine measures in final 2025 meeting

Richland’s City Council approved two land-use rezones, adopted new service delivery objectives for the fire department and cleared a slate of routine ordinances and resolutions at its Dec. 16 meeting, the final session of 2025.

The most consequential land-use vote was on ordinance 2025-41, which rezones roughly 29 acres (an area the staff described as the southern portion of the French’s U-Pick orchard) from suburban agricultural to R-1-10 single-family residential to allow the proposed Estates at White Bluffs subdivision. Planning Manager Mike Stevens told the council the site’s comprehensive-plan designation is low-density residential and the hearing examiner recommended approval. After limited council questioning about density, Council Member Ryan Luxon moved to approve the ordinance; the council approved it by unanimous roll call.

A separate closed-record rezone and map amendment for Peachtree Estates 3 (PLNDashT3A-2025-00002, 1251 Bermuda Road) would reclassify acreage from agricultural to R-2-S medium-density small-lot and C-2 commercial consistent with the comprehensive plan and the anticipated Gage Boulevard alignment. Planning Manager Mike Stevens said connectivity — including trail connections to adjacent school sites — is being handled in the preliminary plat, and council members pressed staff to ensure pedestrian access remains integrated into the proposed plat. After discussion the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance.

On other business the council adopted Resolution 2025-155, which sets revised service delivery objectives for Richland Fire & Emergency Services, adjusting turnout and travel-time targets so the standards are stretch goals but achievable. Fire staff told the council the updates make the standard set more nuanced by call type (for example separating non-urgent BLS calls from ALS/acute calls) and add previously missing metrics for special operations.

Several ordinances and resolutions were handled through the consent calendar, which passed unanimously after one item (a commercial façade grant for Desert Veterinary Clinic) was pulled for recusal and separate consideration. Consent items included updates to park hours and electric rates, authorization for sale of 2026 electric revenue bonds and amendments related to Columbia Point Landfill Brownfields investigation funding, consultant agreements and grants. The council also approved three routine resolutions to declare portions of utility easements surplus and relinquish them to homeowners at 1651 April Loop, 1832 Hunt Avenue and 266 Saint Street.

Vote tallies for the key measures were unanimous when recorded on the roll calls. The meeting concluded with council comments and farewells to outgoing members and staff; the council adjourned at 8:10 p.m.