Hearing Examiner's Meeting 10/27/26

At the City of Yelm Hearing Examiner’s meeting on October 27, 2026, the examiner considered Ryan Cruz’s preliminary binding site plan application LD 2025-0046 for a 9.33-acre C2-zoned property at 17041 State Route 507. The proposal would divide the site into three commercial development pads for two drive-through restaurants and a gas station with 16 fueling positions and an approximately 4,800-square-foot convenience store, while reserving the remaining land for future development and a planned roadway connection. Staff reported that the project’s estimated 161 new PM peak-hour trips were within the East Gateway Planned Action EIS assumptions and that studied intersections were expected to operate at level of service C or better. The project must meet conditions for access, utilities, stormwater, landscaping, and required permits; construction of part of the planned Y2C roadway may qualify for a transportation impact-fee credit, to be determined during civil review. No dollar amounts, contract awards, or procurement decisions were discussed.

The examiner asked about open space, pedestrian and bicycle access, the planned roundabout, and temporary stormwater facilities. Staff confirmed a sidewalk along the State Route 507 frontage would be required by a condition and that the temporary stormwater facility must meet permanent-facility requirements while allowing for later relocation. The applicant agreed with staff’s recommended conditions. With no public comment, the examiner orally approved the application subject to those conditions and imposed no additional ones; a written decision was still pending. No procurement activity was identified.