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Milton-Freewater planning commission approves variance to allow 24-foot frontage at 907 Cowl Street
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a variance reducing required street frontage from 50 to 24 feet at 907 Cowl Street, enabling a lot partition so a 2024-built dwelling at 905 Cowl Street can be sold and financed separately; staff recommended approval after review by police and fire.
The Planning Commission of the City of Milton-Freewater on May 13 approved a variance to reduce the required street frontage for a proposed lot at 907 Cowl Street from 50 feet to 24 feet, allowing the property to be divided so a second dwelling can be placed on its own parcel.
Planning Assistant Kassidy Ruiz presented the staff report and recommended approval, saying the notice for the public hearing had been published as required. Ruiz told the commission the property at issue had an existing dwelling built in 1992 that straddled two tax lots, and a second dwelling at 905 Cowl Street was added in 2024. Because of the 1992 placement, the applicant can provide only about 24 feet of frontage; staff said an ingress-and-egress easement would serve access to the rear parcel.
Staff framed the variance under the city’s variance code provisions (10-10-5), finding that exceptional circumstances apply to the property’s configuration, that the variance is necessary to preserve a property right because lenders would not finance the newer dwelling while it remained on a shared lot, and that the change would not be materially detrimental to surrounding properties. Fire and police review produced no objections, according to staff.
Applicant Jerrilynn Romine thanked city staff and the commission for holding the special meeting. After the public hearing was closed, Commissioner Margo Piver moved to adopt the findings of fact and staff report and approve the requested variance; Commissioner Tucker Stringham seconded. Chair Nathan Lyon and both commissioners voted yes; the motion carried 3-0.
The approved variance will allow the property owner to complete a lot line adjustment and minor partition so each dwelling—907 Cowl Street (built 1992) and 905 Cowl Street (built 2024)—can be established on separate legal parcels, which staff said is necessary to meet typical lender requirements. An ingress and egress easement will be recorded to secure access for the rear parcel. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
