Planning commission approves conditional-use permit for Catherine Dang’s backyard pool with paperwork conditions

The River Heights City Planning Commission on June 9 approved a conditional-use permit for Catherine Dang to install a residential swimming pool at her property, subject to several conditions and corrections to her application. Keenan Ryan, chair of the River Heights City Planning Commission, presided over the hearing.

The applicant, Catherine Dang, described the proposed in-ground pool as a reinforced cinder-block structure filled with concrete and rebar, topped with a concrete slab, fitted with a vinyl liner and an automatic safety cover. Dang said the pool would range about 3.5 feet at the shallow end to about 8 feet at the deep end and that the yard is already fenced; commissioners confirmed the fence would be 6 feet high.

The commission’s concerns focused on administrative and safety items: updating the application so the property owner (Dang) — not the contractor — is listed as the applicant; inserting contractor information under the project description; initialing the city parking-ordinance acknowledgment; and ensuring the homeowner maintains liability insurance and keeps fencing in good repair. A commissioner moved to approve the conditional-use application with those changes; another commissioner seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Chair Keenan Ryan told Dang the permit would become valid only after the commission approves the minutes at its next meeting and after Dang files the requested corrections; once the edits are processed, the applicant may pursue county-level building permits and the recorder can issue a receipt. Dang confirmed she would provide the corrected documents and thanked the commission.

The commission’s approval does not include a separate roll-call tally in the record; the motion was approved by voice vote at the meeting. The commission also clarified construction and setback details during questioning: the submitted plan showed a 5-foot distance from the pool structure to a lot line, while the applicable setback requirement is 3 feet. Commissioners and staff noted they will verify final setbacks and compliance as part of permit processing.

The permit conditions and the administrative corrections are recorded in the meeting minutes; the permit becomes effective after the minutes are approved at the next meeting and the applicant files the required updates.