Hearing examiner continues after‑the‑fact shoreline permit for Gold Cove property to allow redesign

The San Juan County Hearing Examiner continued an advertised public hearing on an after‑the‑fact shoreline conditional use permit for flood‑hazard work at 311 Gold Cove Lane after heavy winter storms forced a redesign of the repair plan.

Hearing Examiner Gary McLean opened the item and explained that county code requires staff reports and public notice prior to formal testimony. County staff identified the matter as land‑use file 25‑0138 and said staff had not circulated a full staff report for the advertised hearing date. Stephanie O’Day, counsel for the applicants (Dennis and Roberta Yuda), testified under oath that repairs to a natural drainage ditch began in 2023 and that an approved repair in 2024 failed during an atmospheric‑river event; she said the applicants have retained an engineer to recalculate drainage basin requirements and requested a continuance to complete a redesign.

O’Day said the redesign work and updated site plans were expected to be ready for a February hearing if staff could produce a revised report; county staff and the examiner noted that if the revised materials could not be published in time, the matter would need to be continued to March to allow the 30‑day public‑notice period and any necessary SEPA supplementation. The examiner continued the hearing in the open record to February, with the possibility of a later March date if staff cannot finalize the report and exhibits.

The examiner directed staff to issue a revised staff report dated and captioned to show it was “revised after the hearing” and to circulate an updated exhibit list so the record is clear. No merits determination or final local decision was made at the hearing; the record remains open to accommodate the revised materials and any additional public comment when the item is rescheduled.