Planning commission approves conditional-use permit to allow home on commercial-zoned KSK Investments LLC parcel

The Green River Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 21 approved a conditional-use permit requested by KSK Investments LLC to allow construction of a residence on a parcel rezoned from mixed commercial/residential to commercial, commissioners and staff said.

The commission granted the permit with the understanding the proposed dwelling must meet the city’s R-3 standards for residential uses in commercial zones and satisfy a series of conditions related to utilities, emergency access, and floodplain requirements, city staff said.

City staff read the conditional-use review criteria on the record, citing Green River Municipal Code 10-13-4: applications must comply with applicable provisions of the chapter and state and federal law; not be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare; be consistent with the Green River general plan; and not adversely affect traffic, parking, lighting, utilities or emergency access. Julie (city staff) read those criteria to the commission.

David (city staff) told commissioners the site — described by participants as the property between the golf course and the Shady Acres laundromat — has water and sewer capacity in the broader area but connecting to the existing sewer will require analysis of the location. "There's utility capacity," David said, but he and other staff explained connection depends on where the house is sited and whether a pump or a septic system is needed.

City staff and the property owner discussed technical limits cited in the meeting: structures located less than 300 feet from a main sewer line must connect to it; if the build point is farther than 300 feet a septic system could be an option. Don (property owner) said he and his wife Terina walked the site with staff and that the house location would be roughly 700 feet from the main line on Main Street; Don said a pump may be required to connect to sewer.

Staff also told the commission that emergency vehicle access, an address posted for access from Main Street, and off-street parking and turnaround space will be required. The commission discussed the need for a fire hydrant within 500 feet of the structure depending on final siting, and staff said the applicant had commissioned a flood analysis and geotechnical work; the applicant estimated a flood analysis would be complete within about a week.

Commissioners and staff discussed possible long-term uses of the front portion of the site. A hotel use along Main Street was described as allowed under current zoning; staff said any hotel would have to meet standard off-street parking, access, and screening requirements, and that fencing or landscaping could be required as a condition at the time a hotel application is submitted.

A commissioner made a motion to approve the conditional-use permit; the motion was seconded and the commission proceeded to the next agenda item after discussion, indicating the application was approved with the stated conditions. The approval record on the audio transcript does not include a roll-call vote with individual votes recorded on the public audio, and the motion was passed before the commission moved on to the consent agenda.

The applicant was advised to provide house plans, a final utility connection plan, a flood analysis, geotechnical reports and a specific site plan showing emergency vehicle access and turnaround prior to final permit clearance. Staff indicated the applicant must coordinate with city staff (David or Brian) to resolve utility connections and any private easement or pump agreements if needed.

Community members present did not register formal objections on the record during the item. The commission did not adopt any new code language as part of the approval; the permit was granted as a conditional use subject to compliance with the existing R-3 standards and the site-specific conditions described above.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after approving the conditional-use request.