Hearing examiner reviews buffer impact request for 202 E Rain St NE; applicant proposes on‑site restoration after demolition and soil cleanup

The City of Ocean Shores hearing examiner on Jan. 21 heard a reasonable use exception from Brian Crawford seeking authorization to impact wetland buffer for a single‑family residence at 202 East Rain Street Northeast.

Marshall Reed, the City of Ocean Shores lead planner and shoreline administrator, summarized staff’s review and said the 7,286‑square‑foot parcel is in an R6B mobile and manufactured home zone where single‑family residential uses are permitted. Reed said the proposal would impact about 4,235 square feet of wetland buffer and that all impacts must be mitigated under the city’s wetland protection code.

Christian Fromuth, a biologist with Agua Tierra Land and Water, described the site’s recent history: it contained an older mobile home and associated improvements; that structure was recently demolished and contaminated soils were excavated and removed, creating an over‑excavated area that has since begun to recolonize with emergent wetland vegetation. Fromuth said clean fill will be imported where necessary to support the new home and that surplus prior converted area on the lot will be planted with buffer and wetland species to compensate for impacts. He told the examiner the redevelopment will occupy a smaller footprint than the historic development and that planting and fencing will be used to protect restored areas.

Reed told the record that both projects heard that morning (the Fine and Crawford matters) are typically categorically exempt from SEPA as single‑family residential developments. “Typically I state that both of these projects would be exempt under SEPA, due to their status as single family residential developments,” Reed said.

Fromuth characterized the remediation and restoration opportunity as allowing more on‑site mitigation than the Fine parcel because the Crawford lot is recently disturbed and not yet revegetated. When the examiner asked whether the mitigation plan produced no net loss, Fromuth said, “Correct. In fact, a net gain.”

The city recommended standard long‑term protections including delineation fencing, signage and compliance with building and fire code requirements. The hearing examiner admitted the exhibits and testimony into the record and said he will issue a written decision within 10 business days of record closing. No final action was taken at the hearing.

The examiner closed the hearing and will issue a written decision that will specify any conditions or required external approvals.