Yakima Development News

Yakima Planning Commission Studies Cannabis Retail Buffers, Parking Reforms, and Congregate Living Moratorium

The Planning Commission discussed potential amendments to the city's zoning ordinance (section 1509.220) concerning distance buffers for licensed cannabis retailers, as allowed by state law. The current 1,000-foot buffer significantly limits the number of available locations, particularly for social equity license holders who were disproportionately impacted by past marijuana laws. The commission heard testimony from a social equity license holder, Jose Oyoa, who highlighted the challenges of finding suitable locations due to the buffer rules, especially with the proximity of licensed child care centers. Other discussed facilities for buffer reduction include recreation centers, transit centers, and libraries, while schools and playgrounds remain at a 1,000-foot buffer. The commission engaged in a study session to workshop potential buffer reductions, with various distances (100, 250, 500 feet) and city examples (East Wenatchee, Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma, George, Shelton) discussed. The discussion also touched upon the total number of licenses allowed in Yakima (five retail plus two social equity) and the process for future public hearings and recommendations to the City Council. Additionally, the commission briefly discussed potential changes to road standards in response to state parking reforms (HB 1110, HB 1337, potentially HB 5290) and a city council moratorium on certain congregate living facilities, specifically for end-of-life, highly violent sex offenders, which requires zoning to be addressed before the moratorium expires in October. The moratorium was implemented due to state mandates for releasing such offenders into communities.