Columbia County planning commission approves variance to allow ADU 7 feet from property line

The Columbia County Planning Commission voted to approve a major variance (file V25-230) that allows construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) 7 feet from the northern property line, planning staff said.

T. Lynch, chair of the Columbia County Planning Commission, opened the public hearing and invited staff to present the application. Planning staff told the commission the property is zoned Rural Residential-5, is approximately 2.94 acres, and is located outside the Brookfield urban growth boundary. Staff said overlays on the parcel include flood, bird habitat and riparian/wetland designations but that notifications and agency responses (including the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) indicate no mitigation is required for the proposed ADU location. Planning staff stated, “Staff recommends the planning commission approve file V25-230 to authorize the variance from the setback standard of Columbia County zoning ordinance section 604.6 for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit 7 feet from the northern property boundary, subject to conditions recommended in the staff report dated 02/23/2026.”

The staff report summarized applicable ordinance sections (including CCZO sections 200, 600, 1100, 1120, 1170, 1185, 1504 and standards for ADUs in section 224.2), and presented findings on the five variance criteria. Staff noted the ADU will be demolished/replace an existing, unpermitted outbuilding in the same footprint, that the proposed ADU would be roughly 24 by 40 feet, that the upper-floor plan meets unit-size limits described in the report, that the ADU would be about 31 feet from the primary dwelling, and that the site can reasonably accommodate three parking spaces. The Columbia River Fire Rescue service area confirmed the location would preserve emergency access, staff said. Conditions noted in the staff report include required building and septic permits, provision of a water-supply letter from Warren Water Association, and recording of a covenant concerning vacation and occupancy prior to permit issuance.

No members of the public were signed up to testify and the applicant declined to add to the staff presentation, staff reported. Commissioner Brandon Lazowski asked for confirmation that an existing outbuilding occupies the footprint proposed for demolition; planning staff confirmed that is correct.

A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made (mover recorded in the proceeding as Andrew Pascua and seconded as Jonathan Bullock) and the chair conducted a roll call. Commissioners answered in the affirmative and the commission carried the motion; the vote was recorded as approval of file V25-230.

During closing remarks Commissioner Brandon Lazowski praised staff, saying the department’s communications and increased staffing have improved commissioners’ ability to review materials in advance. Chair T. Lynch closed the hearing and moved on to housekeeping items. Planning staff reminded participants that the decision would not be final until it is put in writing and notice is mailed to the parties, consistent with the hearing statement read at the start of the meeting.

Next steps: permits (building, septic) and any attachments required by the staff conditions must be completed before permits are issued. The staff report and the signed written decision will form the final action record and will include the conditions described at the hearing.