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Gig Harbor City Zoning Code

17.96 Site

Plans

17.96.010 Intent.

This chapter is intended to provide procedures for the review of site plan applications. Site plan review is intended to ensure that development projects are executed in a manner consistent with existing ordinances concerning public utilities, traffic, facilities and services and provide unified site design, access, landscaping, screening, building placement and parking lot layout. The site plan review process is intended to ensure that development of a site will provide the features necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the city. (Ord. 1197 § 60, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.020 Applicability.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all changes of use, new construction, expansion or alteration of the use of land unless expressly exempted by this chapter. No use shall be established, no structure erected or enlarged, and no other improvement or construction undertaken except as shown upon an approved site plan which is in conformance with the requirements set out in this title. (Ord. 1197 § 61, 2010; Ord. 733 § 1, 1996; Ord. 601 § 1, 1991; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.025 Exemptions.

The following are exempt from the site plan review provisions of this chapter:

A. Single-family and duplex dwellings on lots of record and any appurtenance thereto;

B. Subdivisions and short plats;

C. Planned unit developments and planned residential developments;

D. Modifications to the interior of an existing structure that does not change the use;

E. Change in use of an existing structure, provided the change in use does not increase the number of required off-street parking spaces;

F. Normal maintenance and repair of existing improvements, facilities and structures;

G. Installation and replacement of underground utilities located in public rights-of-way and approved utility easements or corridors;

H. Utility pump stations, utility boxes and utility vaults;

I. Removal of underground tanks when the site is restored to the condition prior to removal;

J. Removal of all buildings and structures on a site together with the discontinuance of use of the land and buildings;

K. Special uses as provided for in Chapter 17.65 GHMC;

L. Uses allowed in approved common areas as provided for in GHMC 17.99.280;

M. Land clearing as provided for in Chapter 17.94 GHMC;

N. Temporary trailers as provided for in GHMC 17.01.090;

O. Sign permits as provided for in Chapter 17.80 GHMC;

P. Installation and modification of Level 1 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations as defined in GHMC 17.73.030(D). (Ord. 1527 § 1, 2024; Ord. 1220 § 4, 2011; Ord. 1197 § 62, 2010).

17.96.030 Site plan review.

Any use or development that is subject to the requirements for site plan review, unless exempt as provided for in GHMC 17.96.025, shall be classified and processed as provided for in this section.

A. Minor Site Plan Review.

1. Applications for minor site plan review shall be processed in accordance with the procedures established under GHMC Title 19 for a Type I project permit application. A decision on a minor site plan review application shall be rendered prior to or concurrent with the issuance of any other applicable permit. The following are classified as minor site plan reviews:

a. Change in use of an existing structure which increases the number of required off-street parking spaces;

b. Modifications to the number of off-street parking stalls, amount of hard/impermeable surfaces and height of structures on an existing site or approved site plan, provided such modifications do not exceed a 10 percent increase over the original;

c. Modifications to the parking lot layout or parking lot landscaping on an existing site or approved site plan;

d. Modifications to the landscaping, common area, or vegetation retention areas, provided the modifications do not adversely affect the basic character and quality of such;

e. Modifications to the total amount of gross floor area on an existing site or approved site plan which do not exceed a 10 percent increase over the original or 1,000 square feet increase, whichever is less;

f. Removal of some but not all buildings on a site;

g. Modification or expansion of existing stormwater facilities;

h. Modifications to the conditions of approval of a minor site plan review decision;

i. Installation and modification of rapid charging stations as defined in GHMC 17.73.030(P).

2. If a minor site plan review includes any use or development classified as a major site plan review in subsection B of this section, the entire project shall be processed under the provisions for major site plan review.

B. Major Site Plan Review.

1. Applications for major site plan review shall be processed in accordance with the procedures established under GHMC Title 19 for a Type II project permit application, except as provided for in subsection (B)(3) of this section. The following are classified as major site plan reviews:

a. Construction of a building or installation of hard/impermeable surfaces on a vacant parcel;

b. Modifications to an existing site or approved site plan which are not classified as a minor site plan review in subsection A of this section or are exempt from site plan review under GHMC 17.96.025;

c. Any development subject to a SEPA threshold determination pursuant to Chapter 18.04 GHMC;

d. Creation of new regional stormwater ponds;

e. Establishment of a new use or change of use which is not located in an existing building;

f. Modifications to the conditions of approval of a major site plan review decision;

g. Installation and modification of battery exchange stations as defined in GHMC 17.73.030(C).

2. If a SEPA threshold determination for a development requiring major site plan review is appealed, the major site plan review application shall be processed in accordance with the procedures established under GHMC Title 19 for a Type III project permit and the SEPA open record appeal hearing shall be consolidated with the Type III project permit open record hearing.

3. A major site plan review application for a project which has an associated administrative interpretation, as provided for in GHMC 17.66.050, shall be processed as a Type III application as defined in GHMC Title 19.

C. A minor or major site plan review application that is part of a project that requires additional applications with other procedure types may be processed collectively under the highest numbered procedure for any application unless the applicant chooses to have each application processed individually following the permit processing procedures in GHMC 19.01.002(B). (Ord. 1527 § 2, 2024; Ord. 1347 §§ 61, 62, 2016; Ord. 1220 § 5, 2011; Ord. 1197 § 63, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.035 Criteria for site plan approval.

The director shall approve applications for minor and major site plan review only if all of the following criteria are met:

A. The site plan is compatible with the surrounding uses; and

B. The site plan is compliant with all relevant statutory codes, regulations, and ordinances. (Ord. 1197 § 64, 2010).

17.96.040 Preliminary site plan conference.

Refer to GHMC 19.02.001 for optional preapplication conference procedures. (Ord. 1197 § 65, 2010; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.050 Contents of a complete application.

Each application for site plan review shall contain the following information, if applicable to the application:

A. Environmental Checklist. A complete, signed environmental checklist when required;

B. General Information. The title and location of the proposed development, together with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the recorded owners of the land and the applicant, and if applicable, the name, address and telephone number of any architect, planner, designer or engineer responsible for the preparation of the plan, and of any authorized representative of the applicant;

C. Project Description. A written description addressing the scope of the project, the nature and size in gross floor area of each use, and the total amount of square feet to be covered by hard surfaces;

D. Vicinity Map. A vicinity map showing site boundaries and existing roads and accesses within and bounding the site;

E. Topographic Map. A topographic map based upon a site survey delineating contours, existing and proposed, at no less than five-foot intervals and which locates existing critical areas and other natural features;

F. Site Plan. Site plans drawn to a scale no smaller than one inch equals 30 feet showing location and size of uses and structures, buffer areas, proposed areas of disturbance or construction outside of the building footprint, yards, open spaces and landscaped areas and any existing structures, easements and utilities. For site plans which cannot fit on a single 24-inch by 36-inch sheet at a scale of one inch equals 30 feet, provide one 24-inch by 36-inch sheet which shows the entire site plan, in addition to providing tiled site plans at one inch equals 30 feet;

G. Circulation Plan. A circulation plan illustrating all access points for the site, the size and location of all driveways, streets and roads with proposed width and outside turning radius, the location, size and design of parking and loading areas, and existing and proposed pedestrian circulation system;

H. Public Works Checklist. All applicable items listed on the public works land use application intake checklist;

I. Landscape Plan. A landscape plan meeting the requirements of GHMC 17.78.030;

J. Design Review. A complete design review application meeting the applicable requirements of GHMC 17.98.040. (Ord. 1347 § 63, 2016; Ord. 1197 § 66, 2010; Ord. 725 § 10, 1996; Ord. 710 § 95, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.060 Application open for public inspection.

Repealed by Ord. 1197. (Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.070 Duration of approval and expiration.

The duration of site plan review approvals and permit expirations shall be governed by GHMC 19.02.008. (Ord. 1197 § 68, 2010; Ord. 725 § 11, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).

17.96.080 Amendments to a site plan.

Repealed by Ord. 1197. (Ord. 710 § 96, 1996; Ord. 573 § 2, 1990).