Columbia River Planning Commission reappoints leadership, recommends demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Ave.

The Columbia River Planning Commission on Jan. 21 reappointed Mary Wittenhiser as chair, Tiffany Lynn as vice chair and Brad Lynn as secretary, approved corrected minutes, discussed an upcoming zoning hearing and recommended the City Council issue a demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue.

The commission opened with a reorganization. Mary Wittenhiser was nominated and reappointed chair by voice vote, Tiffany Lynn was reappointed vice chair and Brad Lynn was reappointed secretary; members responded in the affirmative to each motion. The commission also approved the meeting minutes with corrections, including a name correction from “Joshua Jordan” to “Joshua George” and an added note about a zoning hearing board schedule for properties at 154–156 South 5th and 461 Avenue K.

The meeting included a presentation and discussion of a zoning hearing scheduled for Jan. 29 regarding 25 North 11th. Commissioners were told the applicant seeks to change an existing commercial building to residential use and requests relief for lot-size requirements. Commissioners noted the parcel is zoned low-density residential (LDR) and currently nonconforming; the applicant indicated the intended occupancy would be single-family rather than a short-term rental, although the application does not contain language prohibiting rental use. The commission made no formal recommendation to the zoning hearing board at this meeting.

The commission took formal action on a demolition application for 1310 Lancaster Avenue. Paul Krause, who identified himself as the representative for the property, confirmed the structure is in deteriorated condition and that utility services had been disconnected. Commissioners moved to recommend that the City Council issue a demolition permit for the structures at 1310 Lancaster Avenue based on the property’s commercial zoning and the building condition, with a stipulation that documentation proving utility shutoffs and disconnections be provided prior to demolition. A motion to make that recommendation was seconded and approved by voice vote.

In new business the commission was notified that 612 Walnut Street, a property condemned for about a year, will be entered into the city’s blighted properties program; commissioners received the notice as an informational item. The commission set its next meeting for Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., with a workshop at 6 p.m., and adjourned at about 7:25 p.m.

Quotes from the meeting included applicant Paul Krause’s identification: “My name is Paul Krause, and I represent 1310 Lancaster Avenue.” Newly sworn-in commissioner Mira Lutz repeated the oath: “I do solemnly swear or affirm,” as part of her swearing-in.

Votes at a glance - Reappoint Mary Wittenhiser as chair — Motion approved by voice vote (ayes recorded; no roll-call tally recorded). Outcome: approved. - Reappoint Tiffany Lynn as vice chair — Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Reappoint Brad Lynn as secretary — Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Approve minutes of Nov. 19, 2024 and Dec. 17, 2024 with corrections (including name correction Joshua George) — Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved. - Recommend City Council issue demolition permit for 1310 Lancaster Avenue, conditional on documented utility disconnections — Motion approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved; recommendation forwarded to City Council.

Context and next steps The commission’s recommendation on 1310 Lancaster Avenue will be forwarded to the City Council, which has the authority to issue demolition permits. The zoning hearing for 25 North 11th remains scheduled for Jan. 29 before the Zoning Hearing Board; the commission did not take a formal position at this meeting. The blight notice for 612 Walnut Street was presented as an informational item; no action was required by the commission at this meeting.