Planning Commission opportunities


The Yakima City Council recently passed an ordinance (Ordinance No. 2024-006) expanding the membership of the Yakima Planning Commission (YPC). The new changes are effective April 8th, 2024. The City of Yakima ask volunteers interested in serving on the Yakima Planning Commission to submit applications to the City Clerk’s office. 

The YPC will be comprised of eleven (11) members and the term of office shall be four years. A maximum of one member of the YPC may also be a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. A maximum of one member of the YPC may also be a member of the Tree Board. A maximum of one member of the YPC may also be a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Members shall either be a resident of the city of Yakima or own a business or real property that is located within the city of Yakima.

The duties of the city planning commission include, but are not limited to:

1.    Serving as the long-range planning body for the city of Yakima;

2.    Monitor the growth and development of the city and continually reevaluate and recommend to the city council revisions to the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance for the city;

3.    Develop and recommend to the city council a subdivision ordinance for the city and revisions thereto;

4.    Investigate and make recommendations on other land use matters as may be requested by the city council or on its own initiative;

5.    Study and report on all proposed text changes to land use ordinances;

6.    Advise the city council on land use matters;

7.    Monitor the hearings of the hearing examiner in order to remain informed on development activities, public concerns and the decisions of the hearing examiner;

8.   Work with, provide support, and give guidance to sub-committees associated with the planning commission, as appropriate.

9.    Such other planning functions as authorized or required by law or ordinance or as requested or assigned by the city council.

Additional information on the duties and responsibilities of each committee and the application form can be found online at: www.yakimawa.gov/council/boards-commissions/

Anyone interested in applying can submit their application to the City Clerk’s Office no later than Friday March 29th, 2024. It is the responsibility of the City Council to appoint people to serve on the governing bodies of those organizations. Applications will be reviewed by the Council Nominating Committee.

Contact City Clerk Rosalinda Ibarra by phone at (509) 575-6037, or e-mail rosalinda.ibarra@yakimawa.gov, for more information about current or future openings on City of Yakima boards, committees, or commissions.