Planning commission approves variance and three‑parcel partition for 2034 Long Street

The Sweet Home Planning Commission voted to approve variance VR26‑03 and partition P26‑04 for the property at 2034 Long Street after staff said unique site conditions and existing nonconforming setbacks justify a limited frontage reduction.

Angela, the planning staff member, told the commission the applicant seeks “approval of a variance VR 26 dash 0 3 in conjunction with the proposed 3 parcel line partition, which is P 26 dash 04,” and said the combined frontage deviations across the three parcels total 14.35%, triggering the variance requirement under the Sweet Home Municipal Code. She recommended approval with conditions, including that all building and engineering requirements be met at the time of future development and that a signed order be prepared by the chair with a 12‑day appeal period.

Applicant Andrew Johnston, the surveyor, said the partition is “just a 3 parcel partition” and that no new building is proposed at this time. Staff provided parcel dimensions: Parcel 1 about 17,724 square feet, Parcel 2 (containing the existing 960‑square‑foot dwelling) about 5,126 square feet, and Parcel 3 about 5,008 square feet. Angela said water and sewer services already serve the dwelling and that utility connections for future parcels will be reviewed at building permit stage.

During discussion commissioners noted the existing house sits close to the sidewalk and that the partition would maintain neighborhood lot‑pattern consistency. Commissioners asked about driveway access; Angela said existing driveway aprons would likely be used with joint access arrangements and that any required changes would be evaluated during building permit review. The commission approved the motions (the record shows the variance was approved and, contingent on that approval, the partition was approved) and directed staff to prepare memorializing orders; the decisions are subject to the 12‑day appeal period.