HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-16-2001HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2001
The meeting of the Auburn Hearing Examiner was held on October 16, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows:
Hearing Examiner: Diane L. VanDerbeek
STAFF: Lynn Rued and PattiZook
Ms. VanDerbeek called the meeting to order at explaining the order of procedures and swore in staff and
those in the audience intending on testifying.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. APPLICATION NO. MIS01-0005
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing.
Assistant Planning Director Rued presented the staff report. Hazel Thorpe has requested a special home
occupation permit to allow a dog grooming business to be located in her home at 31325 112th Avenue
SE. The City allows special home occupation permits for a number of uses and he described 'personal
service shops'. The City has determined that a dog grooming business has characteristics similar to
personal service shop. The City recently issued a special home occupation permit for a dog grooming
business on Lea Hill. He described the location of the business within the home, days and hours of
operation, number of dogs groomed, etc. He spoke about the criteria that need to be met in order to
approve the request. Staff recommends approval of the request with four conditions which were
reviewed.
Hazel Thorpe, applicant, spoke about a minor change to the garage. Only four dogs per day can be
groomed. She asked for clarification on number of dogs that are allowed. Hearing Examiner said only
four dogs can be on the premises at any one time in addition to her dogs. Mrs. Thorpe is willing to comply
with the conditions.
Dan Sheehan, 11108 SE 313TM, , referred to his written letter. Hearing Examiner reviewed his letter and
marked it as Exhibit 2. The case file is Exhibit 1. Hearing Examiner asked if he had anything to add in
addition to his letter. Mr. Sheehan states there are no businesses within one mile, the area is zoned for
residential, and he does not feel the area is conducive to this kind of business. He thinks the amount of
noise will be the same as a dog kennel and this is not fair to the neighbors. He spoke about traffic
concerns and parking concerns.
Peter Emerson 11216 se 313th Place expressed concern about his property values. He does not want to
the business to turn into a kennel or have overnight dogs. He is concerned about parking problem.
City Rebuttal:
Assistant Planning Director Rued referred to condition 2, will be amended to say the total number of dogs
will be 6 to 7 including the owner's dogs. The condition could include that no overnight stays or kenneling
will be allowed. Regarding the noise, the garage will be insulated with R19 insulation which was the
amount recommended by the City's Building Division. Regarding the traffic, the addition of 6 to 7 cars on
112"~ should not have an impact. Regarding parking, parking is provided on-site on the north side of the
home and there is an existing pad for the two required spaces. Customers will park in driveway in front of
the garage. The reason for the special home occupation permit process is to ensure that the home still
acts as a home. The home's outward appearance does not change. The limitations imposed by the
conditions will mitigate any impacts. The permit, however, is revocable if any problem comes up and the
business is not operating in accordance with the conditions.
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HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
OCTOBER 16, 2001
Mrs. Thorpe agrees with Assistant Planning Director Rued that an additional 6 cars will not make a
difference on an already busy road. The road is already busy because of through traffic to Green River
Community College. There are lots of dogs already in neighborhood and most neighbors have one to two
dogs. Her hours of operation occur when most people will be at work. Her business is not a kennel and
there will not be any overnighting of dogs. There is another grooming business not far from her house.
Hearing Examiner closed the public hearing. She will issue the written decision within 10 days.
2. APPLICATION NO. REZ01-0004
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing.
Assistant Planning Director Rued presented the staff report. Harvey and Robin Walker have requested a
rezone property located at 916 22nd Street NE from R-2, Single Family to R-4, Multi Family. The zone
change is appropriate. The size of the property could allow for 33 multi-family units. However, due to
additional required setbacks and site abutting R2, fewer units will be realized. Staff recommends approval
of the rezone. No conditions are proposed.
Harvey Walker, the applicant, proposes the rezone to match the Comprehensive Plan map. His family
has owned the property since 1965. He does not have specific plans yet for the property.
There was no public testimony and the public hearing was closed. Hearing Examiner indicated that she
will recommend approval of the rezone and will issue the written decision within 10 days.
ADJOURNMENT:
VVith no further items to come beforethe Hearing Examiner, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
HE~AGND~VIIN10-2001
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