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County to continue critical areas code hearing; planning staff defends record in short-plat dispute
Summary
Planning staff asked commissioners to open the advertised public hearing on updates to the county's critical areas ordinance and then continue it to Aug. 11 so final comments and the planning commission recommendation can be incorporated; staff also said comments on a separate short-plat for three Columbia Heights lots remain in the project record despite a resident's claim they were omitted.
Adam Trimble, the county planning manager, told commissioners the critical areas ordinance update has been through about six months of work with a consultant and that agencies and the planning commission have reviewed the draft; he recommended opening the advertised public hearing and continuing it to Aug. 11 so staff can incorporate final comments and present the planning commission's formal recommendation.
"For this week, what I'd like to recommend is that the board, continue with the meeting tomorrow, the advertised public hearing. It'll be the board's opportunity to see the draft and hear from the public as well, but that we'd request that you continue your public hearing until August 11," Trimble said, noting agencies generally accepted the county's preferred draft though some urged stronger regulation.
Commissioners also discussed recruitment for a vacant seat on the planning commission and the volunteer application process.
Separately, a meeting participant relayed a letter from Molly Butson claiming many comments were omitted from the record for a three-lot short plat on Columbia Heights. Planning staff responded that every comment received is retained as part of the environmental-review record and that the July 24 date referenced in correspondence is the appeal/comment deadline for the environmental review; Trimble said the project has preliminary approval for a three-lot short plat and that additional studies may be required as the developer advances detailed plans.
The board was asked to open the public hearing and continue it to Aug. 11, at which time the planning commission's recommendation would be available for the board's vote.
