1990, 08-09 VE-19-90 Zoning Adjustor FindingsZONING ADJUSTOR
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF A VARIANCE FROM)
FRONT AND FLANKING STREET YARD ) FINDINGS OF FACT,
REQUIREMENTS ) CONCLUSIONS,
[VE -19-"] JOHN R. ADRIAN ) AND DECISION
COMPANION FILES: NONE )
ADDRESS: E. 7708 SOUTH RIVERWAY
PARCEL NUMBER: 06543-2234
APPLICATION DESCRIPTION: The applicant proposes to locate a new dwelling unit
(after demolishing the existing dwelling) to within 40.25 feet of the right of way centerline of
South Riverway (front yard) and to within 32.25 feet of Center Road, (flanking street yard);
whereas, sections 4.05.110 a. 1. and 3. of the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance requires
respectively a minimum 55 feet and 45 feet from the centerline of those rights of way.
Authority to consider such a request exists pursuant to Section 4.25.030b. of the Spokane
County Zoning Ordinance.
PROJECT LOCATION: Generally located on the southeast corner of South Riverway and
Center Road, in the SW 1/4 of Section 6, Township 25 N, Range 44 EWM, Spokane County,
Washington; addressed as E 7708 South Riverway.
OPPONENTS OF RECORD: NONE
PUBLIC HEARING AND DECISION: After consideration of all available information
on file, exhibits submitted and testimony received during the course of the public hearing held
on July 16, 1990, and the Zoning Adjustor rendered a written decision on August 9, 1990 to
APPROVE the application.
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS
1. The proposal is generally described above. According to the site plan which has the
required and requested setbacks marked in red, the existing house is in substantial violation
with the present zoning setback regulations. The new dwelling unit would be a lesser violation
on the flanking street (Center Road) and a greater violation on South Riverway (the front yard).
Construction within the required setbacks from both streets, particularly when the streets
intersect at less than a 90 degree angle, is virtually impossible; certainly presenting "practical
difficulties." The septic tank drainfield is located partially on the lot adjoining to the east, but
the applicant states that an easement has been acquired for that septic tank Part of the existing
drainfield is shown beneath the existing house. An improved or alternative drainfield situation
will likely be worked out with the Health District. Any such solution should try to avoid the
placement of any drainfield underneath the driveway for the existing garage (into which area
the drainfield now extends).
2. The adopted Spokane County Comprehensive Plan designates the area of the
proposal as Urban. The proposed uses are generally consistent with this category.
CASE NO. VE -19-90 SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING ADJUSTOR PAGE 2
3. The site is zoned Agricultural Suburban, which allows the proposed use upon
approval of this application. The lot is a presently in conformance with the minimum standards
of the Zone.
4. The existing land uses in the area of the proposal include relatively small to medium
lot development, all of which are compatible with the proposal.
5. The proposal is exempt from the provisions of the Washington State Environmental
Policy Act, Chapter 43.21C RCW pursuant to WAC 197-11-800 (6) (b).
6. The applicant has been made aware of the recommendations of various County
agencies reviewing this project. The applicant found no particular problems with any of the
agency recommend recommendations, except those of the County Engineer. The County
Engineer has recommended that 7.75 feet of land be dedicated on both South Riverway and
Center Road. The Engineer's Office is trying to establish the additional portion of the half
right-of-way which would bring these respective sides of the street to a 25 foot half right-of-
way in an effort to eventually establish a 50 foot right-of-way street standard, as is required by
the Board of County Commissioner's adopted regulations. The applicant objects to this much
land being dedicated from a small parcel, stating that the present streets are entirely adequate for
the area and that no additional right-of-way for future expansion is needed. After evaluating
these two opposing points of view, the Zoning Adjustor concludes that the street standards
requiring a minimum of a 50 foot right-of-way are consistent with adopted County Ordinances,
which the Engineer's recommendations are attempting to implement. Therefore, the dedication
of 7.75 feet for both fronting streets will be imposed as a condition of approval.
7. The proper legal requirements for advertising of the hearing before the Zoning
Adjustor of Spokane County have been met.
8. No adverse testimony or written comments were received regarding the proposal.
9. With the conditions of approval set forth below, the variance will: a) not constitute
a grant of special privileges inconsistent with limitations on other properties in the vicinity and
similar zone; b) ensure that the intent and purpose of the Zoning Ordinance is achieved with
regard to location, site design, appearance, and landscaping, etc; and c) protect the
environment, public interest and general welfare.
10. The County engineer routinely recommends that various land use actions trigger
dedications or future right-of-way acquisitions sufficient to bring adjacent road right-of-ways
up to minimum County standards. Various land use hearing bodies routinely require such
recommendations as conditions of approval.
11. Granting the variance will be neither materially detrimental to the public welfare nor
injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and zone.
12. Strict application of the zoning standards does create an unreasonable burden in
light of the purpose to be served by the standards.
CASE NO. VE -19-90 SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING ADJUSTOR PAGE 3
13. The case for the variance was not supported by substantial reference to or reliance
upon illegal or non -conforming precedent(s).
14. Granting the variance will not adversely affect the overall zoning design, plan or
concept for either the immediate area or the entire County.
15. The case for a variance was not based substantially upon a lack of reasonable
economic return nor a claim that the existing structure is too small.
16. The practical difficulty which gives rise to the variance request did exist before the
present owner acquired the property.
17. Various performance standards and criteria are additionally needed to make the use
compatible with other permitted activities in the same vicinity and zone and to ensure against
imposing excessive demands upon public utilities and these shall be addressed as conditions of
approval.
DECISION
From the foregoing Findings and Conclusions, the Zoning Adjustor APPROVES
the proposal, subject to compliance with the following
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
I. GENERAL
1. The following conditions shall apply to the applicant, owner and successors in
interest and shall run with the land.
2. Failure to comply with any of the conditions of approval contained in this decision,
except as may be relieved by the Zoning Adjustor, shall constitute a violation of the Zoning
Ordinance and be subject to such enforcement as is appropriate.
3. The Zoning Adjustor may administratively make minor adjustments to site plans or
the conditions of approval as may be judged to be within the context of the original decision.
II. PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1. The new dwelling structure should be located as far east and south as possible, in
order to maximize the front and flanking street setbacks, particularly in light of the right-of-way
dedications.
2. The Planning Department shall verify that plans for the new construction indicate at
least the approved setbacks with respect to approved roadway centerline measurements or
comparable property line setback, prior to any dedication of right-of-way.
CASE NO. VE -19-90 SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING ADJUSTOR PAGE 4
III. DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING & SAFETY
1. The issuance of a building permit by the Department of Building and Safety is
required.
IV. UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
1. Pursuant to the Board of County Commissioners Resolution No. 80-0418, the use
of on-site sewer disposal systems is hereby authorized. This authorization is conditioned on
compliance with all rules and regulations of the Spokane County Health District and is further
conditioned and subject to specific application approval and issuance of permits by the Health
District.
2 Any water service for this project shall be provided in accordance with the
Coordinated Water System Plan for Spokane County, as amended
3. The new dwelling unit shall be double -plumbed for connection to future areawide
collection systems.
V. HEALTH DISTRICT
1. Sewage disposal method shall be as authorized by the Director of Utilities, Spokane
County.
2. Water service shall be coordinated through the Director of Utilities Spokane
County.
3. Water service shall be by a/an existing/new public water supply when approved by
the Regional Engineer (Spokane), State Department of Social & Health Services.
4. Disposal of sewage effluent beneath paved surfaces is currently prohibited.
Preferably, the drainfield should not be located where it would be paved over if a driveway
were installed.
5. Subject to specific application approval and issuance of permits by the health
officer, the use of an individual on-site sewage disposal system(s) may be authorized. The
District needs to approve the use of the existing or modified disposal system or approve a
totally new system.
VI. SPOKANE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE
1. An approach permit must be obtained from the County Engineer prior to the
construction of any new driveway approaches. This must be done prior to the release of a
building permit.
2. Applicant shall sign and record Spokane County Notice to the Public No. 6 which
specifies the following:
CASE NO. VE -19-90 SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING ADJUSTOR PAGE 5
The owner(s) or successor(s) in interest agree to authorize the County to place their
name(s) on a petition for the formation of a Road Improvement District (RID) by the petition
method pursuant to Chapter 36.88 RCW, which petition includes the owner(s) property, and
further not to object, by the signing of a ballot, the formation of a RID by the resolution
method pursuant to Chapter 36.88 RCW, which resolution includes the owner(s) property. If
an RID is formed by either the petition or resolution method, as provided for in Chapter 36.88
RCW, the owner(s) or successor(s) further agree:
(1) that the improvement or construction contemplated within the proposed RID is
feasible;
(2) that the benefits to be derived from the formation of the RID by the property
included therein, together with the amount of any County participation, exceeds the cost and
expense of formation of the RID; and
(3) that the property within the proposed RID is sufficiently developed.
Provided further that the owner(s) or successor(s) shall retain the right, as authorized
under RCW 36.88.090, to object to any assessment on the property as a result of the
improvements called for in conjunction with the formation of the RID by either petition or
resolution method under Chapter 36.88 RCW.
This requirement applies to South Riverway Avenue or Center Road whichever the
subject parcel takes access.
3. Applicant shall dedicate 7.75 feet on Center Road for right-of-way.
4. Applicant shall dedicate 7.75 feet on South Riverway for right-of-way.
5. The applicant shall dedicate a applicable radius on Center Road and South Riverway
Avenue.
NOTICE: PENDING COMPLETION OF ALL CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL WHICH
NEED TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO PERMIT ISSUANCE, PERMITS MAY BE
RELEASED PRIOR TO THE LAPSE OF THE TEN (10) -DAY APPEAL PERIOD.
HOWEVER, THE COUNTY HAS NO LIABILITY FOR EXPENSES AND
INCONVENIENCE INCURRED BY THE APPLICANT IF THE PROJECT APPROVAL IS
OVERTURNED OR ALTERED UPON APPEAL.
DATED this 9th day of August, 1990.
FILED:
1) Applicant (Certified/Return Receipt Mail)
— THOMAS G. MOSHER, AICP
Zoning Adjustor
Spokane County, Washington
CASE NO. VE -19-90 SPOKANE COUNTY ZONING ADJUSTOR PAGE 6
2) Spokane County Engineer's Office
3) Spokane County Health District
4) Spokane County Utilities Department
5) Spokane County Department of Building & Safety
6) Spokane County Fire Protection District No. 1
7) Planning Department Cross-reference File and/or Electronic File
NOTE: ONLY THE APPLICANT OR AN OPPONENT OF RECORD MAY FILE AN
APPEAL WITHIN TEN (10) CALENDAR DAYS OF THE ABOVE DATE OF SIGNING.
APPEAL MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A $100.00 FEE. APPEALS MAY BE FILED AT
THE SPOKANE COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT, BROADWAY CENTRE
BUILDING, NORTH 721 JEFFERSON STREET, SPOKANE, WA 99260 (Sections
4.25.090 and 4.25. 100 of the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance).