North Bend council approves developer extension agreement for Steele residence, enabling four ADUs

The North Bend City Council on Aug. 5 unanimously approved AB 25-083, a resolution authorizing the mayor to execute a developer extension agreement with Matt Steele to extend sanitary sewer, storm drainage and street infrastructure to serve four proposed accessory dwelling units on two existing parcels.

City staffer Mark Rigos described developer extension agreements (DEAs) as standard practice—"These are fairly commonplace. We do about 5 per year, and a DEA is basically a contract between the city and a developer," he said—explaining the city reviews engineered plans, inspects construction and ultimately accepts bill of sale for operations and maintenance.

Rigos said this DEA is unusual only because multiple ADUs are proposed; under current city code the extensions require council approval before the project proceeds. The project site is near Interstate 90 and adjacent to the Cedar Landing subdivision of roughly 154 homes, Rigos said. He told council staff had not had conversations with adjacent property owners and that, to his knowledge, there are no critical areas on the property—no wetlands, streams, floodplain, steep slopes or landslide hazards. Rigos said SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review "may" apply and that he would confirm the notification radius; he noted he believed but was not certain the SEPA notice radius would be 600 feet.

Council member Heather Cullen said the item had been discussed at the Transportation and Public Works committee and recommended approval. The motion to approve AB 25-083 passed unanimously; the council did not record individual roll-call votes in the public discussion but the chair announced the motion passed 6-0.

No permit issuance, building construction or SEPA findings were recorded at the Aug. 5 meeting; staff outlined next steps including engineering submittal, city review and permitting if all approvals and environmental review proceed.