V25-010 Staff Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

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parcel is a 2.34-acre sided triangular parcel that slopes approximately 30-feet towards the southeast where there are wetlands and floodplain of the Pudding River. The northwestern half-acre of the parcel is the flattest area, and furthest from the floodplain. The existing house, built in 1891, and a barn, are located in this northwestern area of the parcel. These structures have fallen into disrepair and the applicant seeks to replace them in an area that is not sloped which requires reduction of the standard 20-foot setback. The criterion is met. 2. There are unusual circumstances or conditions applying to the land, buildings, or use referred to in the application, which circumstances or conditions do not apply generally to land, buildings, or uses in the same zone; however, nonconforming land uses or structures in the vicinity or violations of land use regulations or standards on the subject property shall not in themselves constitute such circumstances or conditions; and The unusual topography and size of this parcel do not generally apply to other parcels in the zone. The minimum parcel size in the EFU zone is 80-acres, so that generally even in areas of uneven topography there will be flat areas in which a home could be placed that meets the standard 20-foot setbacks. In this case, the buildable area is limited by topography to roughly a half-acre. The criterion is met. 3. The degree of variance from the standard is the minimum necessary to permit development of the property for the proposed use; and The applicant has stated that the proposed variance from the EFU setback of 20-feet to a setback of 5-feet along the northern property line would be the minimum necessary to permit the construction of the replacement dwelling and accessory structure. The criterion is met. 4. The variance will not have a significant adverse effect on property or improvements in the neighborhood of the subject property; and The proposed variance would place the replacement dwelling closer to the north property line than the existing dwelling is. The replacement dwelling would however be farther than it currently is from the closest neighboring dwelling to west. The replacement dwelling would be roughly where the existing barn is, which is less than 20 - feet from the northern property line. The new accessory structure will have a similar setback to the existing barn, only sited further to the west. The proposed siting of these structures does not appear to have a significant adverse effect on property in the area. The criterion is met. 5. The variance will not have a significant adverse effect upon the health or safety of persons working or residing in the vicinity; and The proposed accessory structures will be required to meet building and fire code requirements, which may be more stringent than zoning code requirements, for health and safety reasons. A 5-foot setback will still allow for space between the structures and property line to maintain open area. The criterion is met. 6. The variance will maintain the intent and purpose of the provision being varied. To the north of the subject property is a strip of land that appears more than 20’ wide between an access road and the property line. This strip of land, and the access road, provide an inherent buffer between the structures on the subject parcel and the field to the north. Reduction of only the northern setback will therefore not reduce the rural buffer between properties beyond what is intended to be preserved by the 20’ setback provision. The western, eastern, and southern property lines will maintain 20-foot setbacks. The criterion is met. 8. Based on the above findings, the applicants’ proposal meets the criteria for a variance. The variance request is therefore, APPROVED. Brandon Reich Date: August 15th, 2025 Planning Director/Zoning Administrator If you have any questions regarding this decision contact John Speckman at (503) 588-5038. Notice to Mortgagee, Lienholder, Vendor or Seller: ORS Chapter 215 requires that if you receive this Notice, it must promptly be forwarded to the purchaser.