Planning commission approves minor partition at 17120 Pacific Heights in Brookings

The Brookings Planning Commission approved a minor partition request to create two parcels at 17120 Pacific Heights after staff reported the proposal met applicable subdivision and zoning standards.

Staff said the subject property is a 0.42-acre undeveloped parcel in the Harris Beach Estates subdivision that was originally created as two parcels in 1966. According to the staff report, the applicants purchased both original parcels in 2021, vacated the lot line in 2022 to make a single parcel, and now propose to partition the property back into the original two parcels using the original subdivision dimensions. Staff said both proposed parcels meet R-16 zoning minimums, with Parcel 1 at 8,953 square feet and Parcel 2 at 9,231 square feet; both parcels will have access from Pacific Heights Road. Staff recommended approval and had prepared a final order for the commission.

The staff report listed the applicable criteria as Chapter 17.172 (land divisions), Section 17.128.0.05 (access), Chapter 17.168 (public facilities improvement standards), and the R-16 provisions of Chapter 17.2. The record included a letter from a neighbor; commissioners and staff discussed that the original developer, not the city, placed driveways and utility servicing to the lots and that two water meters/services appeared to be provided to the line between the parcels.

An individual who identified himself during the hearing as Robert Langer spoke for the applicants; the staff report identified the applicants and owners as Thomas and Rebecca Langer. The applicant said the parcels were previously two lots and that the plan is to build a house. After questions from commissioners and clarification from staff regarding utilities and driveways, the commission voted to approve the partition and then approved the final order.