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Planning commission continues homestay hearing for 45 West Grand to allow applicant to consult city engineer on driveway safety
Summary
The planning commission continued the public hearing on conditional use permit CU25‑04 for a homestay at 45 West Grand to April 29, 2025, after staff and the city engineer flagged site‑distance and unapproved driveway concerns and the applicant said he would seek to mitigate visibility by trimming bushes.
The Astoria Planning Commission continued the public hearing on conditional use permit CU25‑04 for a proposed homestay at 45 West Grand to its regular meeting on April 29, 2025 to allow the applicant to consult with the city engineer about an unapproved driveway and site‑distance safety issues.
Planning staff told the commission the house (built in 1965) included a finished basement proposed for the homestay, but the property sits near a documented landslide and would require a geologic site investigation for building or engineering permits. Staff said the applicant’s parking plan showed two driveways but that only one driveway at the site is currently approved by the city; the city engineer recommended the unapproved eastern driveway not be permitted because of its location on a curve, steep grade and limited site distance, and staff recommended a condition that the unapproved access be blocked with a permanent physical barrier prior to issuance of a homestay license.
Applicant Don Paschel told the commission he had not initially read the report and that staff alerted him to the driveway concern before the meeting. Paschel said he believes visibility can be improved by trimming the bushes in the right of way and asked for the chance to talk to the engineer before the condition is enforced. "I believe there's actually a way to mitigate that because those bushes...they aren't 10 feet tall," Paschel said, adding he planned to host visiting nurses and wanted guests to have reasonable access during rain.
Commissioners discussed options including continuing the hearing to allow the applicant to consult the engineer, amending the condition to require a temporary rather than permanent barrier until engineering approval, or approving the application subject to staff‑approved adjustments. Several commissioners said the applicant should decide whether to request a continuance; the commission ultimately voted to continue the hearing to April 29 so the applicant can pursue the engineering review. The motion to continue was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: The decision preserves the applicant’s ability to pursue mitigation while ensuring the city and engineering staff can confirm safe access and parking prior to issuing a homestay license.
