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Board approves 7641 SW 60th house and separates landscape review pending sewer/septic confirmation
Summary
For 7641 SW 60th Ave the board approved house construction but required a separate landscape review if a drain field (septic) is later found to be required; members had raised questions about septic vs. sewer, grading and coordination with utilities and neighbors.
The Design Review Board approved construction of the house at 7641 Southwest 60th Avenue but separated the landscape review so that landscaping and tree placement can be revisited if a septic drain field is required.
Staff presented the RS‑3 application and noted the lot width was nonconforming while square footage met minimums; staff recommended approval with conditions including verifying tree counts and protecting stormwater on site. The owner said he intends to live in the house and that the architect prepared the plans.
Board members raised extensive questions about whether the lot is served by city sewer or requires a septic system and how a drain field would affect proposed landscaping, pool placement and grading. "I don't know that I'm comfortable... without understanding how we're going to affect the immediate neighbors as well as the neighborhood," one member said. The owner and contractor initially said they believed there was no septic; city staff (Surami) advised that the board could approve the house immediately and allow landscape to return if a septic system is later confirmed, or alternatively defer outright until sewer/septic is verified.
After legal and staff guidance, the board voted to approve the building design and materials so the owner can proceed with construction documents, and to require the landscaping to return if a drain field is later found to be necessary. The motion also asked for a grading plan to be submitted and included the caveat that if septic is confirmed the landscape will be re‑reviewed.
Next steps: staff will confirm sewer availability at time of permit; if a drain field is required, the landscape application must return to the board and the applicant must submit a grading plan.
