A. Plan Adoption: The 1997 Yakima urban area comprehensive plan ("the plan") shall consist of the November, 1996, Yakima urban area comprehensive plan draft as modified by the February 11, 1997, Yakima urban area joint board recommended changes, and the Terrace Heights neighborhood plan recommended by the regional planning commission on February 23, 1999, and as recommended by the Yakima urban area joint board on June 4, 1999, which shall be a sub-element of the plan. The plan and its elements and plans including those incorporated by reference are hereby adopted as the official comprehensive land use plan for the city of Yakima, as required by Chapter 36.70A RCW.

B. Plan Amendments. Requests for amendments to the Yakima urban area comprehensive plan may be submitted at any time, and will be docketed to be reviewed and acted upon once per year as required by RCW 36.70A.130. Proposed amendments shall be considered concurrently to ascertain the cumulative effect of the various proposals. Initial adoption of subarea plans and the adoption or amendment of a shoreline master program are not subject to the docketing requirement, and may be considered independently of the annual amendment process. Amendments to the plan may also be considered whenever an emergency exists, or to resolve an appeal of the plan filed with the Eastern Washington growth management hearings board, following appropriate public participation.

C. Amendment Review Process. Proposed amendments to the plan shall be submitted to the city of Yakima department of community and economic development, along with the required application fee, for review by the Yakima urban area regional planning commission. The commission shall hold at least one public hearing to receive public testimony on proposed amendments, and shall forward its recommendation regarding proposed amendments to the Yakima city council and board of Yakima county commissioners. The city council shall hold at least one public hearing on the commission's recommendation. The city council may refer any proposed amendment back to the commission for further consideration and recommendation by the commission. The city council may amend the plan or reject any proposed amendments subsequent to the city council public hearing.

D. Existing Land Use Regulatory Ordinances Remain in Effect. All existing land use regulatory ordinances and land use controls shall remain in effect, including Title 15, Yakima urban area zoning ordinance; city of Yakima official zoning map; Title 14, Subdivisions; YMC Chapter 6.88, Environmental Policy; and YMC Chapter 11.58, Flood Damage Prevention, until such time that these ordinances are amended. Future land use decisions shall be based upon these ordinances, as periodically amended.

E. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of the adopted Yakima urban area comprehensive plan should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by or any body or court with authority and jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, clause or phrase of the adopted Yakima urban area comprehensive plan.

F. Revival of 1981 Plan Upon Invalidation. In the event that the 1997 Yakima urban area comprehensive plan, or any portion thereof, is invalidated by the Eastern Washington growth management hearings board, or any other body or court with authority and jurisdiction, the 1981 Yakima urban area comprehensive plan, or the relevant portions thereof, shall be revived and shall be in effect until a new comprehensive plan, or new relevant portions, are established. (Ord. 99-33 § 1, 1999; Ord. 97-22 § 2, 1997: Ord. 2579 § 1, 1981: Ord. 972 § 1, 1967: Ord. 779 §§ 1, 2, 1966).