HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-2005
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HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
APRIL 19. 2005
The regular meeting of the Auburn Hearing Examiner was held on April 19, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers of the Auburn City Hall. Those in attendance were as follows:
HEARING EXAMINER: James Driscoll, Driscoll-Hunter
STAFF: Steve Pilcher, Development Services Coordinator; Costa Phillippides, Engineer; and
Patricia Zook, Planning Secretary
Mr. Driscoll called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. explaining the order of procedures and
swore in staff and those in the audience intending on testifying.
1. APPLICATION NO. VAR05·0001
The request of Steve and Marilyn Romberg to allow a shed to encroach into the required
side yard setback. The property is located at 1910 37th Way SE.
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing. Mr. Pilcher presented the staff report. Mr.
Romberg seeks a variance from the five foot side yard building setback to allow for the
completion of construction of a 120-square foot storage shed three feet from the property line.
The variance application is the result of a compliant filed by the next door neighbor, Mr. Ormsby.
Moving the shed five feet from the side property line would impair easy access to an existing
waiking path to the adjacent riverfront, and could have an impact on the steep riverbank and
buffer. The shed was constructed by a previous property owner and is exempt from needed a
building permit.
In response to Hearing Examiner's inquiries, Mr. Romberg said he used the shed for storage for
the last 15 years, the house is approximately 30 years old, the old shed size was 10'x8' with no
foundation, and the new shed is 10'x12' with a pitched roof. He described his backyard
amenities.
Mr. Ormsby, 1906 37th Way SE, is the next door neighbor, said he doesn't have a problem with
the location of the new shed because the old shed is in about the same location and size.
However, he thinks the new shed is over 8' feet high. With the old shed, he could look outside
his kitchen window, look over the shed and see the river. The new shed is too tall. He doesn't
have a problem with the shed next to the fence.
Hearing Examiner admitted the exhibits as described in the staff report. Hearing Examiner
closed the public hearing and will issue the written decision about May 3.
2. APPLICATION NO. VAR05·0002
The request of Donald Ormsby to reduce the required five foot side yard setback to zero
feet for an existing pool house at 1906 37th Way SE."
Hearing Examiner opened the public hearing. Mr. Pilcher presented the staff report. The City
received a complaint from a neighbor about the location of the pool house. The pool house was
constructed at a location on the property line abutting the fence. The pool house was
constructed without the required building permits by a previous property owner. Required
permits would include building permit, electrical permit and mechanical permit. The pool house
is located closer to the property line than three feet and should have a fire rated wall.
HEARING EXAMINER MINUTES
APRIL 19.2005
In response to Hearing Examiner inquiries, Mr. Ormsby said his house was constructed about
the same time as the Romberg house, the pool was put in after that, and the pool house was
constructed shortly thereafter.
Mr. Romberg was concerned about the pool house being unsafe and if it were to burn down, it
would also burn down his house. The pool house is flush with the fence.
Mr. Pilcher clarified that if Mr. Ormsby's variance is approved, the City will require that Mr.
Ormsby obtain the required electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits.
Hearing Examiner admitted the exhibits as described in the staff report. Hearing Examiner
closed the public hearing and will issue the decision about May 3. Hearing Examiner
acknowledged that both applicants are not the original property owners, and the pool house and
shed were on-site when the current owners moved in. Hearing Examiner closed the public
hearing and will issue the decision about May 3.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further items to come before the Hearing Examiner, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00
p.m.
HEIAGNDIMIN 04·2005
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