The Jefferson County Board of Adjustment on July 16 approved a six-month renewal for the short-term rental at 7851 Grizzly Way in the Evergreen area and required the applicant to amend house rules to show locations of carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
Planner Alexander Folkes told the board the property is assessed as a three-bedroom home, the septic is sized for three bedrooms (maximum six guests) and the parking plan provides the required four spaces when the garage is counted; staff recommended approval subject to standard STR conditions.
Staff and board members cited multiple public comments submitted in opposition; Folkes said one complaint submitted late the prior night included specific allegations about late-night parties, noise, dogs and smoking but arrived too late for staff to investigate prior to the hearing and was not tied to documented code enforcement actions in the planning office. Board members asked whether staff had received prior complaints or closed violations; Folkes said none were on file from planning and zoning since the prior permit.
The applicant, Julie Lynn (Nguyen), said she and a local team of a house manager, cleaners and snow-removal contractors now manage the property and that, after receiving a guest comment June 21, they mowed the lawn and have increased maintenance frequency. Neighbors testified they had observed smoking in the yard and instances of trespass and late-night noise. Neighbor Julie Winters, who lives next door at 7861 Grizzly Way, said she had seen people smoking three times, most recently about a week earlier, and that she intended to make formal complaints going forward.
Board members said the record showed improvement but characterized the applicant as relatively inexperienced and observed maintenance and enforcement steps had largely been put in place in response to complaints. Members agreed a six-month renewal would give the owner time to demonstrate proactive management; Mr. Johnson moved to approve the special exception for six months and require house-rule revisions listing detector and extinguisher locations. The motion passed on a roll call vote with all five members voting "aye."
Ending: The applicant was directed to submit amended house rules and the planner will follow up on compliance; the board encouraged neighbors to file formal complaints if problems continue so staff can investigate.