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Council holds public hearing, approves first reading of erosion-control and stormwater code update
Summary
Council held a public hearing and voted to hold the 1st reading of amendment A-24-03, which clarifies when grading and erosion-control permits are required, broadens low-risk exceptions and streamlines staff-level permitting; the planning commission recommended approval and staff noted no public comments were received prior to the hearing.
The Astoria City Council opened a public hearing and conducted a first reading of proposed amendment A-24-03 to the development code's erosion control and stormwater management sections.
City planner Tiffany Taylor told the council the amendment aims to replace subjective language, clarify permit triggers (including activities within 100 feet of the Astoria geologic-hazard map, disturbed areas exceeding 10 cubic yards, or slopes of 35% or greater) and broaden exemptions for low-risk activities (examples include emergency utility repairs under 20 cubic yards, fence-post excavation, small-site borings under 4 cubic yards, decks under 30 inches above grade, driveway repairs and residential ground-mounted mechanical equipment). "The intent of the proposed amendment is to remove the subjective language, which has inadvertently caused delays and confusion to applicants," Taylor said.
Councilors pressed staff on several issues, including why a residential landscaping exception is set by area (1,000 sq ft) rather than volume, the strength of penalties for work done without permits, and whether the city would retain the ability to require third-party geotechnical reviews. City engineer Nathan Crater and staff confirmed the document retains provisions for third-party reviews and that enforcement can include doubling permit fees; staff also noted the city's existing code section 1.010 allows higher penalties (including fines up to $1,000 or imprisonment) though imprisonment has not been used.
Councilor Adams moved to hold the public hearing and conduct first reading of the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. Finance Director Hillary Norton read the ordinance language for the first reading. The item will return for subsequent readings and final adoption if council chooses to proceed.
