Hearing examiner reviews plan to subdivide lot for three-unit common-wall homes at 563 Sunset Ave NE

A hearing examiner held a public hearing Jan. 29 to consider CUP2400005, a conditional use permit request to allow a three-unit common-wall residential structure and subdivision for individual unit ownership at 563 Sunset Avenue Northeast in Ocean Shores.

Hearing Examiner Yoshi Kumar opened the hearing and said the proceeding would collect testimony and exhibits to determine whether the proposal complies with the comprehensive plan and municipal code. Marshall Reed, the city’s lead planner, presented the staff report and said the site is in an R-5 zone and the proposed building is a permitted multifamily use; the remaining question is whether platting the underlying land into individual lots meets the conditional-use criteria. Reed cited Ocean Shores Municipal Code sections for conditional uses and density rules, noting that 2,100 square feet per dwelling unit is the minimum lot size allowed under a CUP and that the proposed development could conform to those standards if the subdivision is approved.

The applicant, Larry Butler, who identified himself for the record, told the examiner the three dwelling units are essentially the same size and that he intended to meet all conditions of approval. Butler also provided the applicant’s proposed plat showing differing lot areas: Lot 1 at 3,542 square feet, Lot 2 at 2,918 square feet and Lot 3 at 3,540 square feet, for a combined site of approximately 10,000 square feet. Reed confirmed those figures for the hearing record.

Richard Wills, who said he has served on the planning commission and currently is a member of the city council, testified in support. Wills called common-wall multifamily dwellings “the most affordable way to build and then buy your own lot,” and said selling individual lots could increase homeownership options.

Reed told the hearing examiner that if the CUP were approved, standard conditions would apply including compliance with current building and fire codes; provision of adequate parking per Ocean Shores Municipal Code; an approved storm drain design prior to permits; landscaping per code; and system development charges and utility assessments for each new parcel.

The hearing concluded without a decision; the examiner said he would issue a written decision within 10 business days after the record closed.

The application remains under consideration pending the examiner’s written decision and any timely appeals.