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Pasco council approves Wilson Estates rezone despite neighborhood concerns about density
Summary
The council voted 6–1 to approve Ordinance No. 4812, rezoning the Rocky Hills Management LP parcel from residential transition to R‑1 (low‑density residential). Council and public speakers debated density, traffic, and the constraints of the state Growth Management Act.
The Pasco City Council on Jan. 20 adopted Ordinance No. 4812, approving a rezone request from RT (residential transition) to R‑1 (low‑density residential) for a parcel proposed by Rocky Hills Management LP.
Planning staff and the hearing examiner recommended approval after a public hearing and review of the application for consistency with the Pasco municipal code and the comprehensive plan. Planning staff (Matson) reminded the council this is a quasi‑judicial proceeding and outlined the review process, public notice, and hearing‑examiner findings.
Public commentators and some councilmembers raised concerns about scale: Councilmember Perales pointed to a concurrent preliminary plat application alleging it would yield approximately 873 single‑family lots and said that level of development did not fit the neighborhood’s character. "For me, I don't like that in this spot," Perales said, citing quality‑of‑life and character concerns.
Staff answered that the comprehensive plan designation supported the proposed zoning and that the state Growth Management Act requires Pasco to plan for growth — Matson told the council the state is requiring Pasco to grow by 18,000 units over the next 20 years, and that the city must demonstrate zoning capacity to remain eligible for some grants and infrastructure funding.
Councilmembers voiced a mix of sympathy for neighbors and frustration with state constraints; several said they regretted the limited local control but acknowledged the applicant had followed the required procedures. Councilmember Perales moved to not adopt the ordinance but the motion did not receive a second; he then moved to adopt, and the council ultimately adopted Ordinance No. 4812 by a 6–1 vote (motion carries; publication by summary authorized).
The ordinance assigns R‑1 zoning to the parcel; staff noted that future development will likely return for additional reviews as necessary. Councilmembers asked staff to continue engagement on land‑capacity analysis and to discuss zoning strategy in future planning sessions.
