City of Pasco NOTICE OF OPEN RECORD PUBLIC HEARING AND CONTINUED OPEN RECORD PUBLIC HEARING FOR CODE AMENDMENTS AND EMERGENCY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT Si necesita ayuda para entender este aviso o necesita más información, por favor llame al Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario y Económico de la Ciudad de Pasco a 509-545-3441. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: The City of Pasco is considering proposed code amendment(s) and an emergency comprehensive plan amendment. The Pasco Planning Commission will hold an open record public hearing and a continued open record public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed amendments at 6:30 p.m. on January 15, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Pasco City Hall, 525 N. 3rd Avenue, Pasco, Washington (please use the east side parking lot entrance). Final action on the proposed Code Amendments and Emergency Comprehensive Plan Amendment will be taken by the City Council at a later date. Please note that City Council action on the Emergency Comprehensive Plan Amendment must occur within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Planning Commission's findings and recommendations. This notice also serves as notification to the general public regarding the public hearing. At this hearing, the Planning Commission will hear public testimony regarding the following proposed amendments: CA2025-002 Sandwich Board Signs within Right-of-Way: The City of Pasco Planning Commission will conduct an open record public hearing to consider a proposed code amendment regarding the allowance of sandwich board (A-frame) signs within the public right-of-way. The Planning Commission previously held a workshop on December 18, 2025, to discuss the proposal. The targeted amendment would allow sandwich board signs within the Downtown Pasco Overlay District, where placement within the sidewalk area has been technically prohibited since 2006. Under the proposed regulations, each business would be permitted one sign per frontage, all required ADA clearances must be maintained, signs may only be displayed during business hours, and signs located near intersections must be positioned to minimize impacts on sightlines. This regulated approach is intended to support business visibility and streetscape activation while maintaining pedestrian safety and accessibility, preventing visual clutter, and establishing clear standards for sign placement and oversight. For more information please contact: 509-544-4146 / barragani@pasco-wa.gov CPA2025-002/CA2025-003 Emergency Amendment-Low Density Residential Land Use-R-S-20 Zone Changes: The City of Pasco Planning Commission held an open record hearing on December 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., to review an emergency Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Code Amendment. During the hearing, the Planning Commission voted to continue the discussion to January 15, 2026, to allow for further research and review. As part of this research, the Commission has asked staff to revise the original proposal to maintain the proposed "Riverview" land use designation to allow 2-5 units per acre but with a zoning designation for the area that provides for less density at 2-3 or 2-4 units per acre with revised corresponding development regulations in code relating to lot sizes and dimensions. ORIGINAL NOTICE: On April 17, 2023, the City adopted Ordinance No. 4663, which amended PMC 25.215.015 and the Comprehensive Plan Land Use Density Table (Table LU-1). The ordinance revised allowable gross densities for Low Density Residential (LDR) zoning districts from 2–5 dwelling units per acre to 3–6 dwelling units per acre, and established that all new development must meet the minimum density requirements in PMC 25.215.015. In the R-S-20 zone, classified as Low Density Residential with a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet, a one-acre lot can accommodate only two dwelling units. Under the current standards, such development is prohibited, effectively creating a moratorium on small-lot development in the R-S-20 zone. The City has received several requests from property owners to divide land in this zone, but those applications have been denied for failing to meet the adopted density requirements. To address this issue, the Planning Division has been directed to initiate an amendment. The proposed land use designation of 2–5 units per acre would provide the policy framework for low-density housing, while the zoning code would implement this direction through parcel-level regulations. To align zoning with the revised land use designation, staff proposes replacing the R-S-20 zone with a new R-9 Low Density Residential District, establishing a minimum lot size of 8,700 square feet. This change allows zoning to support the full density range permitted by the land use designation while still accommodating larger half-acre parcels where septic systems are an option. The proposed R-9 district provides a balanced approach that restores consistency, reflects infrastructure realities, and prepares the City for future statewide housing obligations. The City of Pasco has transmitted the proposed emergency amendment to the Washington State Department of Commerce for the required 60-day agency review. A State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist will be reviewed for this action and made available for public review and comment in accordance with WAC 197-11-355, with the optional Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) process applied as appropriate. For more information please contact: 509-544-4146 / barragani@pasco-wa.gov Public Comment Period: Written comments must be submitted to the Community and Economic Development Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Any interested party may submit written comments, attend the public hearing to provide oral testimony, or request notification of the Planning Commission's findings and recommendations to the City Council, as well as the City Council's final decision when action is taken. To submit comments, request notification, or ask questions regarding these proposals, please contact the Planning Division using the phone number or email address provided after the project description, or by mail or in person at the address below. Please note that written comments submitted prior to the meeting will be accepted and included in the official record. Oral testimony provided during the meeting will also be accepted and entered into the record at that time. City of Pasco – Planning Division P.O. Box 293 Pasco, WA 99301 In Person: 525 N. 3rd Avenue, 1st Floor (CED) Pasco, WA 99301 If you wish to participate in the hearing virtually, please register at least 2 hours prior to the meeting at the following registration link: Public Comment. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The City of Pasco welcomes full participation in public meetings by all citizens. No qualified individual with a disability shall be excluded or denied the benefit of participating in such meetings. If you wish to use auxiliary aids or require assistance to comment at this public meeting, please contact the Community Development Department at (509) 545-3441 or TDD (509) 585-4425 at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting to make arrangements for special needs. IPL0301458 Dec 31 2025