Neighbor group appeals building permit for Sunshine Meadows lot; commission asks planning staff to schedule hearing

A group of neighboring landowners represented at the Linn County commission meeting on June 23 urged the county to schedule an appeal hearing after a building permit was issued for Lot 5 of the Sunshine Meadows subdivision.

Dan Longenecker, speaking during public comment, said the lot in question is 3.4 acres and that county regulations contain a section (referenced in the meeting as section 5-201-a) stating "the tract on which the dwellings may be placed shall not be less than 10 acres." Longenecker said he filed an appeal to the approval and that additional landowners also filed appeals. "We have to do that within 60 days, and we have filed that appeal," Longenecker said. He asked when the zoning appeals board would hold a hearing.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether an application record existed in county files and said they would check planning and zoning records and follow up. Public works staff and county counsel indicated the county would confirm the appeals filing and coordinate with the planning and zoning board. A commissioner asked planning staff (Ben and others) and county counsel to be prepared to brief the commission the following week on the permit, the appeal status and the process.

Commissioners did not rule on the underlying permit at the June 23 meeting. They instructed staff to check the records, confirm whether a written application exists, and identify the earliest available planning and zoning meeting that could consider the appeal. The county's zoning regulations and the appeals process will be reviewed with planning and legal staff and brought back to the commission for scheduling of any required public hearing.

The resident comment was recorded as part of public comment and commissioners asked that staff prepare an update for the next meeting.