Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Code topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reviews proposed grading and erosion-control code changes to remove subjectivity
Summary
Staff proposed amending Astoria’s grading and erosion-control standards to convert subjective criteria into objective standards, exempt common minor activities, streamline permitting, and retain peer-review authority where technical disputes arise.
At the Aug. 26 work session the council reviewed proposed amendments to the grading and erosion control code aimed at removing subjective language and reducing permits for minor projects. Staff said the changes would make many standards objective (potentially converting some applications from a type 2 to type 1 permit) and would add exemptions for routine landscaping, small repairs, and limited driveway resurfacing.
Presenters walked the council through examples that have caused confusion under the current code (for instance, depth triggers that could require permits for a simple post hole). They proposed clarifying regulated-activity lists and thresholds (for example a 10-cubic-yard threshold used in multiple places would be clarified and combined where appropriate) and retaining a path for peer review if an engineering report raises concerns. "We would like to amend all the subjective criteria and make it objective," a staff presenter said. Councilors asked staff to clarify enforcement for cumulative small excavations and to adjust timing language for emergency exemptions to allow 48 hours (or two business days) for staff response; staff agreed to refine the language and to have the city attorney review for consistency before the planning commission hearing.
