(A)
Purpose. Whenever the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, or the policies set forth in the General Plan justify this action, zoning boundaries on the official zoning map may be amended through the procedures established in this Title.
(B)
Applicability.
(1)
A change in the boundaries of any zone on the official zoning map may be initiated by filing an application for a zone change as prescribed in this Title. If the property for which rezoning is proposed is under more than one ownership, all the owners or their authorized agents shall join in filing the application. If deemed appropriate by the City to expand the boundaries of any proposed zone change, notice shall be given to all property owners within the proposed expansion boundaries pursuant to the requirements of PMC § 17.20.020 (Notification procedures).
(2)
A change in the boundaries of any zone may be initiated by the City Council.
(C)
Review Authority. The Planning Commission shall review and recommend approval, approval with conditions, or deny an application for a zone change at a public hearing pursuant to PMC § 17.20.020 (Notification procedures) and shall forward a recommendation to the City Council.
(D)
Application Procedure.
(1)
An application for a zone change shall be made on a form provided for that purpose by the Department, along with the required fee as established by City Council resolution.
(2)
An application for a zone change shall be filed concurrently with any other application(s) required for the project on the same property.
(3)
The Director may require additional information if deemed necessary to enable the Review Authority to determine whether the zone change is consistent with the standards of this Title and the maps and policies of the General Plan.
(E)
Action by Planning Commission.
(1)
The Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on each application for a zone change. The hearing shall be scheduled and notice given as prescribed in PMC § 17.20.020 (Notification procedures).
(2)
The Planning Commission shall determine whether the proposed zone change is consistent with the required findings for approval as set forth in Subsection (G) of this Section, and if so, shall recommend to the City Council that the zone change be granted or granted in a modified form. If the Planning Commission determines that the proposed zone change does not meet the required findings for approval, the Planning Commission shall recommend denial to the City Council.
(3)
When the Planning Commission determines that a change to a zone other than the proposed zone specified in the hearing notice is desirable, the Planning Commission may recommend an alternate zone to the City Council.
(F)
Action by the City Council.
(1)
Upon recommendation of the Planning Commission on a proposed zone change, the City Council shall hold a public hearing. The hearing shall be scheduled and notice given as prescribed in PMC § 17.20.020 (Notification procedures).
(2)
Following the closing of a public hearing, the City Council may approve, modify, or deny the recommendation of the Planning Commission; provided, that any modification of the proposed zone change by the City Council not previously considered by the Planning Commission during its hearing shall first be referred to the Planning Commission for report and recommendation. Failure of the Planning Commission to report within 40 days after the reference shall be deemed to be approval of the proposed modification by the City Council.
(G)
Required Findings for Approval. Approval of a zone change shall be based on the following findings:
(H)
Prezoning.
(1)
For the purpose of establishing zone boundaries to become effective only upon annexation, property outside the corporate boundaries of the City and within the City's adopted sphere of influence may be classified within one or more zones following the procedures for a zone change pursuant to this Section.
(2)
Upon passage of an ordinance establishing the applicable prezoning designation for property outside the corporate boundaries of the City, the official zoning map shall be revised to show the "prezoned" classification to become effective upon annexation. The official zoning map shall also identify each zone or zones applicable to the property with the label of "PZ" in addition to such other zone designation as may be applicable.
(I)
Post-Decision Procedures.
(Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)