Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 07/16/2018

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5.01: Consider Variance Request to Place a Detached Accessory Building within the Required Setback from the Ordinary High Water Mark of the Rum River at 15795 Juniper Ridge Drive NW (Project No. 18-123); Case of Rick and Diane Farrell City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He explained that the City has received an application from Rick and Diane Farrell for a variance to construct a detached accessory building within the require setback from the Rum River on the property located at 15795 Juniper Ridge Drive NW. He recommended approval of the requested variance conditioned upon the applicant moving the location of the shed so that it is in line with the front wall of the home on the subject property. He noted that while this may be more visible from the road, it certainly increases the setback from the OHW closer to about 120 feet. He noted that this also appears to essentially eliminate the need for removing any existing trees and ensures that the shed is not within the Scenic Easement. Board Member Moore stated that it appears to be something already in the location proposed by staff. City Planning Intern Imihy replied that each variance must be considered on its own merit and therefore even though the neighbor has a building in that location, this request must be considered separately. She stated that in the proposed location on this property would simply be some landscaping materials. Board Member Fetterley asked the number of trees that would be removed. City Planning Intern Imihy replied that the proposed structure is a one car garage. She stated that a tree inventory has not yet been done to determine the number of trees that would be removed, or the number of those that are dead. Acting Mayor LeTourneau asked if the applicant would be required to comply with the tree preservation ordinance. City Planner Anderson stated that if the tree preservation standards are applied to the lot, the applicant would not exceed the removal thresholds that would require replanting. He stated that if there is a deviation from code, a reasonable condition could be to require additional native plantings. Board Member Hiatt asked if there has been any feedback from the neighbors. City Planning Intern Imihy stated that there will be a public hearing as part of the variance review, which will occur at the Planning Commission meeting. City Planner Anderson stated that notification has not yet been sent to those within 350 feet of the project boundary for the July 12th Planning Commission. He stated that comments have not yet been received because the issue has not yet been noticed. Acting Mayor LeTourneau asked for input on the purpose of the EPB reviewing this. He stated that in his opinion the Planning Commission would have more input on the variance while the Environmental Policy Board / June 18, 2018 Page 2 of 5