Hearing examiner takes testimony on two Ocean Shores requests to build homes that would impact wetlands

On Aug. 13, 2025, Yoshi Kumara, hearing examiner with Laminar Law, opened a hearing for the City of Ocean Shores on two reasonable-use exception (RUE) applications seeking permission to build single-family residences that would impact a Category 4 wetland and its buffer at 1006 and 1010 January Court SW.

The hearing matters would allow development of otherwise-permitted residential uses on parcels encumbered by wetlands and buffers; the examiner admitted prefiled exhibits into the record and said he will issue a written decision within 10 days after the record closes.

Marshall Reed, lead planner for the City of Ocean Shores, told the examiner the two parcels are zoned R-8 (multifamily high-density) and summarized the staff report. Parcel 1006 January Court is 9,985 square feet; staff reported proposed impacts of 2,611 square feet of wetland and 5,373 square feet of buffer. Parcel 1010 January Court is 10,317 square feet; staff reported proposed impacts of 3,720 square feet of wetland and 4,769 square feet of buffer. Reed said both parcels were previously…