Kennewick council remands proposal to allow vehicle sales in urban mixed-use zone back to Planning Commission

The Kennewick City Council on March 3 voted to remand to the Planning Commission a request to amend the Kennewick Municipal Code to allow vehicle sales and incidental repair in the city's urban mixed-use (UMU) zone.

Planning staff presented the applicant's proposal and a staff alternative that would limit expansion of nonconforming uses rather than allowing vehicle sales outright. The Planning Commission had recommended approval of the applicant's request; staff recommended either remand for an alternative or denial, arguing that allowing vehicle sales citywide in UMU would conflict with the Bridge-to-Bridge revitalization vision for a more walkable, mixed-use riverfront.

Council members asked for geographic clarification of the Bridge-to-Bridge area and for specifics on where the existing commercial auto row runs. "We have an asset, the river. We need to maximize the use of that and try to capitalize on that," staff said, while noting portions of Columbia Drive near existing dealerships are zoned commercial auto row and would continue to accommodate vehicle sales.

After questions about whether the applicant could instead pursue a rezone or a comp-plan amendment, Mayor Pro Tem Torelli moved to remand the proposal to the Planning Commission and direct staff to start a new amendment review; Council Member Beauchamp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council discussion emphasized seeking a compromise that protects the city's long-term Bridge-to-Bridge vision while providing reasonable paths for existing, successful nonconforming auto dealers to expand.