HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC-Critical_Areas_VarianceCITY OF
DBURN
WASHINGTON
Planning, Building, and Community Department
Critical Areas Variance General Information
A critical areas variance is a request to vary from the standards of the Critical Areas Ordinance
(Auburn City Code 16.10).Minor variances, defined as up to and including 10 percent of the
requirement, may be granted by the Planning Director. Variance requests which exceed 10
percent may be granted by the Hearing Examiner.
Requirements: Submit all necessary materials requested on the Critical Areas Variance
Submittal Requirements form including the SEPA submittal requirements (see separate form).
Procedures: Within 28 days of submitting an application, city staff will determine whether the
application is complete and the applicant will be notified by letter. After a SEPA threshold
determination is issued and the SEPA appeal period concludes, the Planning Director will issue
decision on the proposal. The Planning Director's decision can be appealed to the Hearing
Examiner.
Applications that request more than 10 percent deviation require a public hearing before the City
of Auburn Hearing Examiner once the appeal period for the SEPA threshold determination has
ended. At the hearing, information, testimony, and exhibits are entered on the proposal. Once
the hearing concludes, then the hearing examiner will issue a written decision within 10
business days. The hearing examiner's decision can be appealed to the City Council.
If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at 253-931-3090.
Page I of 2
AUBURN *MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED
CITY OF
DBURN
WASHINGTON
Planning, Building, and Community Department
Critical Areas Variance Submittal Requirements
The following information shall be included:
? Master Land Use Application. 10 copies
? All applicable fees (See City of Auburn Fee Schedule).
? 10 copies of a completed environmental checklist.
? 10 copies of a site plan at a minimum scale of 1"=50' showing the following information:
a. Location and ground elevations of buildings related to the action, parking areas,
landscape areas, and other development features.
b. Show natural features such as topography, wetlands, streams, and steep slopes.
c. Location of the existing and proposed access and traffic circulation.
d. Setbacks (in feet) of all structures from existing and proposed lot lines.
e. All existing and proposed lot line dimensions.
? 10 copies of a written explanation of how the proposed changes comply with the following
criteria:
a. There are unique physical conditions peculiar and inherent to the affected
property which makes it difficult or infeasible to strictly comply with the provisions
of this section.
b. The variance is the minimum necessary to accommodate the building footprint
and access.
c. The proposed variance would preserve the functions and values of the critical
area, and/or the proposal does not create or increase the risk to the public
health, safety, and general welfare, or to public or private property.
d. The proposed variance would not adversely affect surrounding properties
adjoining the development site.
e. Adverse impacts to critical areas resulting from the proposal are minimized.
f. The special circumstances or conditions affecting the property are not a result of
the action of the applicant or previous owner.
Additional information may be required. The applicant will be notified in writing if additional
information is necessary.
Page 2 of 2
AUBURN *MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED