FP25-008 Staff Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

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could result in a significant water shortage for the City of Salem which would adversely affect over 200,000 people. The criterion is met. 3. The granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws; The supplied no-rise certificate and associated analysis performed by WEST Consultants, Inc confirms that the proposal will not conflict with existing laws or result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, public expense, nuisance, fraud, or victimization of the public. The criterion is met. 4. The variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief; The variance is the minimum deviation necessary to provide relief necessary for the improvements associated with the four new wells. The criterion is met. 5. The variance will be consistent with the intent and purpose of the provision being varied; The intent of the floodplain regulations is preserved, as shown by the no-rise certificate ensuring that no flood-related risks shall increase as a result of the new wells and associated facilities. Furthermore, the citizens of Salem require drinking water for continuation of public health, safety, and general welfare. The maintenance of those three things is in large part the intent of the provisions in the rural floodplain chapter (MCC 17.178) which restrict activities within the floodway. The proposal is therefore consistent with both the acute purpose of the provisions being varied, and the overarching intent of the floodplain regulations. The criterion is met. 6. There has not been a previous land use action approved on the basis that variances would not be allowed; No previous land use action on the property was approved on the basis that variances would not be allowed. The criterion is met. 7. The new construction or substantial improvement is not within any designated regulatory floodway, or if located in a floodway, no increase in base flood discharge will result; and The project is entirely within the regulatory floodway, and the no rise certificate from WEST Consultants, Inc ensures that no increase in the base flood discharge will result. The criterion is met. 8. Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements and for other development necessary for the conduct of a functionally dependent use; provided, that the criteria of this subsection are met, and the structure or other development is protected by methods that will minimize flood damages during the base flood and create no additional threats to public safety. The proposed development is a functionally dependent use because it is dependent not only on the adjacent river but also on the associated aquifer. The criterion is met. The proposal satisfies all standards of the floodplain regulation variance criteria. 10. Based on the above findings, it has been determined that the proposal satisfies all applicable criteria and is, therefore, APPROVED. Brandon Reich Date: January 12th, 2026 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.