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Planning Commission approves plats and several variances; postpones Evanston Locks wall/sign case to Oct. 17
Summary
The commission approved preliminary plats, accepted a sign-variance withdrawal, recommended variances for a sheriff-requested ER site and a Coldwater Street buffer reduction, and postponed a Westlake wall/sign variance to Oct. 17 for covenant discussions.
Beyond the Jones Creek and Fury's Ferry items, the Columbia County Planning Commission handled multiple routine and contested applications.
Preliminary plats: Staff presented the Amana Village preliminary plat (435 Old Evans Road) — a townhouse development with 60 lots, required setbacks and 5.13 acres of open space — and recommended approval; the commission approved that and also approved the Kalina Village Townhomes preliminary plat off Evans Road.
Sign and canopy cases: The applicant for a canopy-sign-size increase at 5170 Columbia Road withdrew the application; the commission voted to accept the withdrawal without prejudice.
Sheriff's ER variance: Staff explained a sheriff-requested variance across three parcels to remove a maximum building setback in the Evanston Center Overlay to accommodate a proposed freestanding ER. Staff recommended approval conditioned on parcel consolidation; the project representative, Jay Castor, said setback and ambulance access constraints made a variance practical. The commission moved to recommend approval with conditions.
Evanston Locks wall and sign variances: Staff described a tall front wall and over-size lit signs at 30530 Evanston Locks Road and recommended postponement to allow Westlake Property Owners' covenants to be reconciled; Westlake's attorney and several neighbors cited ongoing violations and unfinished work. Per county attorney guidance the commission postponed the request to the October 17 meeting.
Coldwater Street variance: The commission recommended approval of variances to reduce buffer and setback requirements at 4586 Coldwater Street (The Retreat at Baker Place), following staff support.
Adjournment: The meeting concluded after public comments and commissioner remarks.
