Commission conditionally approves minor subdivision for 21881 Pineker Road, requires engineering and buildable‑area verification

The Nowthen Planning Commission approved a minor subdivision for 21881 Pineker Road, subject to conditions requiring the applicant to address city engineer comments, demonstrate sufficient buildable area, and provide any required easements.

Planner Nash said staff had concerns that the proposed new parcel had not yet demonstrated compliance with the city’s 23,000‑square‑foot buildable area requirement (with three feet of separation to natural soils), and that Pineker Road — the access route shown on the plan — lacks a recorded easement and would require an easement to be established.

Applicant Mark Lbert said he believes the hashed upland area shown on his plan exceeds the 23,000‑square‑foot requirement and described historic trail/road access that he and prior owners have used. He said he built his house on the upland ridge and intends to split off part of the parcel for sale.

The commission approved the minor subdivision with the condition that the applicant address the engineer’s comments; Nash warned that if comments are not satisfactorily addressed the recommendation could turn into a denial at council. The approval also noted that the city could exempt minor subdivisions from wetlands functions and values assessments on a case‑by‑case basis if the applicant requests an exemption in writing.

Next steps: Applicant must submit revised buildable‑acre survey demonstrating compliance with the 23,000‑sq‑ft rule and resolve easement and septic testing issues to proceed to council.