Planning
General
The Development Services Department is composed of the planning and building departments which work together to ensure development is consistent with the community's vision and applicable laws. Planning serves many roles and is typically the first point of contact when individuals are designing a project.
Land Use
Land use development includes property division and combination, site development, and protection of environmental and critical areas in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and governed by land use regulations and codes. These regulations include:
- Allowed uses
- Requirements on the location, size, and coverage of structures and improvements
- Environmental protections
- Procedural requirements
Development regulations are found in Title 16 - Unified Development Code (UDC) of the Municipal Code.
Zoning
Medina's Zoning Map works in conjunction with the UDC. Although predominantly a city composed of single-family residences, each zoning district has its own allowable uses and development standards. The first step to determining how a property can be developed is to identify the zoning district on the zoning map and then look at the development regulations in the UDC.
Overlays
Overlays are areas of city that have additional regulations on the structures and/or uses within them. Medina has two overlay districts: Medina Heights and the Shoreline Jurisdiction.
Medina Heights Overlay
The Medina Heights Overlay, or the Neighborhood Character Preservation District on the zoning map, is located in the southeastern part of the city and is categorized by a diagonal hatch on the zoning map. Properties in this overlay have a stricter height requirement of 20-feet.
Shoreline Jurisdiction Overlay
Lake Washington and areas extending 200-feet upward from the ordinary high-water mark of Lake Washington are considered to be in the shoreline jurisdiction and subject to the Medina Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The SMP applies as an overlay in addition to zoning, land use regulations, development regulations, and all other regulations established by the City. All development regulated by the SMP must also comply with all other zoning and land use regulations set for the Medina Municipal Code.
Other Considerations
If you live in the Medina Park Place development, please read the City's policy regarding redevelopment of your property.
Planning Commission and Hearing Examiner
Planning Commission
Planning Commission (PC) is the research arm of the City Council that advices Council on matters relating to the Comprehensive Plan, land use policies, and development regulations. The seven members are appointed by the Council to four-year terms.
Every year, Council adopts a work plan that identifies a set of issues for Planning Commission to advise Council on. The work plan includes tasks that are currently being worked on, the subsequent issues that will be discussed, and the timing of the City’s next mandated updates. Although adopted yearly, the work plan is a dynamic document that can and will be changed as needed if priorities shift or new legislation requires action by the city. Recent and proposed amendments Planning Commission is working on may be found in Code Amendments.
Planning Commission currently meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month unless otherwise stated at 4:00 pm via Zoom. The Planning Department provides the Staff Liaison for Planning Commission.
Hearing Examiner
The Hearing Examiner (HEX) conducts hearings on a variety of development projects as authorized to do so under the Medina Municipal Code or by City Council. Hearing examiners are private attorneys who serve as impartial third parties. The Planning Department provides the Staff Liaison for the Hearing Examiner. All meetings are open to the public and are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
