17.68.065 Large retail establishments.
A. A large retail establishment existing on or before May 11, 2004, shall be deemed to be a permitted large retail establishment and not a nonconforming use or structure; provided, that the structure was not otherwise a nonconforming structure. The provisions of this chapter notwithstanding, the expansion, reconstruction, renovation, or remodeling of a large retail establishment existing on the effective date may be allowed only after a limited development plan approval is granted by the city manager. This section shall not, however, apply to the interior remodeling, renovation, or repair to interior portions of large retail establishments existing on the above effective date. In approving limited development plans under this subsection, the city manager shall apply the standards set out in PMC 17.32.025 in a manner proportionate to the extent of the expansion, reconstruction, renovation, or remodeling proposed. The cost of compliance with the standards set forth in PMC 17.32.025 shall not exceed 10 percent of the cost of the expansion, reconstruction, renovation, or remodeling. In determining the degree to which the standards set out in PMC 17.32.025 shall apply to the expansion, reconstruction, renovation, or remodeling proposed, the city manager shall also consider:
1. Whether strict application of any standard of PMC 17.32.025 would result in peculiar or exceptional practical difficulties or work an undue hardship on the owner of the property;
2. Whether the proposed design and development plan satisfies the intent of this section as well or better than would strict compliance with standards set forth in PMC 17.32.025;
3. Whether relaxation of any requirement of PMC 17.32.025 would impose any significantly greater negative impact on surrounding property; and
4. Whether the proposed design and development plan brings the site into greater compliance with the standards set forth in PMC 17.32.025 than the existing structure.
B. Applications for limited development plan approval under this subsection shall be processed in the same manner as applications for a development plan approval required for new establishments. (Ord. 606 § 8, 2004)