Planning commission approves lot-line adjustment for Roberts Lane property

The St. Helens Planning Commission approved a lot-line adjustment and minor conditional-use modification for property identified on the assessor's map as lot 34959 Roberts Lane, the commission said during a public hearing that opened at about 6:31 p.m.

Planning staff (Jacob) told the commission the adjustment would reduce the area of an open-space tract dedicated with an older subdivision. He said the tract boundary is misaligned where a roughly 10-foot stream meanders onto an adjoining parcel and recommended preserving at least a 10-foot corridor for the stream. Staff also recommended obtaining the homeowners association's approval because the tract is privately held by the HOA rather than public land.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about the arithmetic used to calculate reserved open-space percentages (staff referenced earlier platting that targeted about 10 percent set-aside and said modern GIS is more precise). Staff noted a small shed near the tract may need relocation if it lies within the dedicated open-space area and recommended any required moves be documented and recorded.

After limited deliberation the commission moved to approve the lot-line adjustment with conditions as recommended by staff. The chair closed the public record and the commission returned the matter to deliberations before adopting the staff-backed recommendation. The planning director reminded participants that the final commission decision may be appealed to the city council and that notice of decision and appeal deadlines will be mailed to those who testified or submitted comments.

Staff cited applicable substantive criteria during the hearing (SHMC1700.041; LMC 17.14.x) and said the written staff report contains the full legal and factual analysis. No testimony in support or opposition was offered, and the commission recorded its recommendation for the council to review the matter if appealed.