Baker County planning agency approves variance and three rezonings to allow family lots and parcel compliance

The Baker County Local Planning Agency approved a variance to permit two dwellings on an undersized parcel and adopted three ordinances that rezone parcels to bring them into compliance and enable family inheritance plans, planning staff said.

Planning staff told the panel the variance was requested after a prior administrative reclassification removed the parcel’s grandfathered status; utilities were disconnected and the dwelling was boarded, but the shell remains and the current owners intend to renovate. "Staff does recommend approval," planning staff said during the hearing.

The actions are intended to allow property owners to renovate or split parcels without running afoul of current zoning when seeking financing, staff said. Members of the agency repeatedly noted banks often require parent parcels to meet current acreage standards even when a family-lot provision exists.

On the variance case, planning staff said the parcel had previously lost any grandfathered allowance for two dwellings when it was reclassified and the…