1987, 09-11 VE-74-87 Variance for lot frontageZONING ADJUSTOR
SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF VARIANCES FROM THE REQUIREMENTS)
FOR MINIMUM (1) FRONTAGE ON A PUBLIC ROAD AND } FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS
(2) LOT DEPTH -TO -WIDTH RATIO. (VE -74-87);) AND DECISION
LANCE AND ELIZABETH ELLIOTT )
SUMMARY OF APPLICATION:
The applicant's parcel of land has only 27 feet of continuous public road
frontage and has a lot depth -to -width ratio of approximately 12 to 1, whereas
the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance, respectively, in Sections 4.05.040 and
4.17.130 requires a minimum of 65 feet of continuous public road frontage and
that a parcel's depth be no more than 3 times the parcel's width. Authority
to consider and grant such a request exists pursuant to Sections 4.03.020 64.
and 4.25.030 b. of the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance.
LOCATION:
The parcel is generally located in the Spokane Valley, south of and adjacent
to 4th Avenue and east of Bolivar Road in the NW 1/4 of Section 23, Township
25, Range 44. The Assessor's parcel number is 23542-9126. The parcel will be
addressed as E. 14118 4th Avenue.
DECISION OF THE ZONING ADJUSTOR:
Based upon the evidence presented and circumstances associated with the
project proposal, the Zoning Adjustor APPROVES the proposal, conditioned and
stipulated as set forth below.
PUBLIC HEARING:
After examining all available information on file with the application and
visiting the subject property and surrounding area, the Zoning Adjustor
conducted a public hearing on September 9, 1987, rendered a verbal decision on
September 9, 1987, and a written decision on September 11th, 1987
FINDINGS OF FACT
l.' The proposal is generally located in the Spokane Valley, south of and
adjacent to 4th Avenue and east of Bolivar Road in the NW 1/4 of Section 23,
Township 25, Range 44, and is further described as Assessors Parcel
#23542-9126, being more completely described in Zoning Adjustor File
#VE -74-87. The property is addressed as E. 14118 4th Avenue.
2. The proposal consists of a parcel which is both inconsistent with the
required lot depth -to -width ratio as well as the minimum frontage on a public
road. The applicants desire to obtain variances from each of those two
standards in order to locate a single family dwelling unit on the parcel of
land. The parcel is .54 acres, has 27 feet of frontage on 4th Avenue and is
approximately 12 times deeper than it is wide. The applicants purchased the
property, configured as it is, and wish to establish the privilege of locating
a single family dwelling unit on the land. Prior to that a Certificate of
Exemption was issued for this parcel and two others as a result of minor lot
line adjustments, which created no additional lots for the area (see CE -51-85).
3. The adopted Spokane County Future Land Use Plan designates the area
of the proposal as Urban and the proposal is consistent with the County's
entire Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Land Use Plan.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
VE -74-87; LANCE AND ELIZABETH ELLIOTT
PAGE 2
4. The site is zoned Agricultural -Suburban which would allow the
proposed use upon approval of this application.
5. The existing land uses in the area of the proposal include green
houses, nursery uses and both small and large parcel residential development,
all of which are compatible with the proposal.
6. The applicant stated that there were at least two examples in the
area of similar situations; one of which was to the south of their property
fronting on 8th Avenue; and (2) another one located on 8th Avenue at the
Koeller residence.
7. 'The proposal is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 43.21C RCW
pursuant to WAC 197-11-800 (6) (b).
8. The applicant's have been made aware of the recommendations of
various County/State agencies reviewing this project and have indicated they
can comply with those recommendations.
9. The parcel under consideration has been found to comply with state
and local subdivision regulations (see File CE -51-85A).
10. The proposed site plan indicates that setbacks, parking and height of
the structure(s) will conform to the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance.
11. No one appeared to oppose the proposal nor were any written comments
adverse to the proposal received.
12. The proper legal requirements for advertising of the hearing before
the Zoning Adjustor of Spokane County have been met.
13. Any conclusion hereinafter stated which may be deemed a finding
herein is hereby adopted as such.
From the Findings, the Zoning Adjustor comes to these:
CONCLUSIONS
1. A Certificate of Exemption has been issued.
2. The variances will not authorize a use otherwise prohibited in the
zone.
3. With the conditions of approval set forth below, the variances 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.
4. There are special circumstances applicable to the property, which
when combined with the standards of the Zoning Ordinance, create practical
difficulties for the use of the property and/or deprive the property of rights
and privileges common to other properties in the vicinity and similar zone
classifications. The segregation which created an irregular shaped parcel
occurred in 1974, before there were regulations against such a division. This
created a parcel which was not only irregular in shape, but was not easily
utilized. The minor lot line adjustment which occurred later, and for which
the Certificate of Exemption was issued in 1985, made the best available use
of the inadequately shaped parcel of land.
5. Granting the variances will be neither materially detrimental to the
public welfare nor injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and
zone.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION
VE -74-87; LANCE AND ELIZABETH ELLIOTT
PAGE 3
6. Strict application of the zoning standards does create an
unreasonable burden in light of the purpose to be served by the standards.
7. The case for the variances was not supported by substantial reference
to or reliance upon legal or non -conforming precedent(s).
8. Granting the variances will not adversely affect the overall zoning
design, plan or concept for either the immediate area or the entire County.
9. The case for a variances was not based substantially upon a lack of
reasonable economic return nor a claim that the existing structure is too
small.
10. Granting of the variances will not be inconsistent with the general
purpose and intent of the Comprehensive Plan.
11. The practical difficulty which gives rise to the variances request
did exist before the present owner acquired the property.
12. The granting of the variances will not result in defacto zone
reclassification.
13. The requested variances are not substantially for the purpose of
circumventing density regulations designed to protect the Spokane
Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
14. While the project does not comply with every detail of the provisions
of the Spokane County Zoning Ordinance, the project does not violate the
spirit or intent of the ordinance.
15. 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.
16. The proposal will not be detrimental to the Comprehensive Plan or the
surrounding properties.
17. The Zoning Adjustor may require such conditions of approval as
necessary and appropriate to make the project most compatible with the public
interest and general welfare.
18. Any finding hereinbefore stated which may be deemed a conclusion
herein is adopted as such.
DECISION
From the foregoing Findings and Conclusions, the Zoning Adjustor APPROVES
the proposal, including acting on behalf of the Subdivision Administrator to
approve the associated Certificate of Exemption. The following CONDITIONS OF
APPROVAL ARE STIPULATED.
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
I. GENERAL
1. The following conditions shall apply to the applicant, owner and
successors in interest.
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 actions as are appropriate.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION PAGE 4
VE -74-87; LANCE AND ELIZABETH ELLIOTT
3. This parcel shall not be further subdivided unless consistent with RCW
58.17, the various county subdivisions regulations and the Spokane County
Comprehensive Plan for the area.
4. The Building and Safety Department shall assist in coordination of this
decision by routing building permit application(s) to the various
departments which participate in or take actions to ensure that various
required written documents have been executed and filed.
II. PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1. Development at the site shall take place in substantial conformance to the
approved site plan in Zoning Adjustor File #VE -74-87, dated September 10,
1987.
III. DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING & SAFETY
1. The applicant shall provide written verification from Fire District #1 to
the Department of Building and Safety that provisions have been made for
adequate fire protection prior to the release of building permits.
2. The Building and Safety Department shall assist in coordination of this
decision by routing building permit application(s) to the various
departments which participate in or take actions to ensure that various
required written documents have been executed and filed.
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 Officer.
2. 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 ULID by petition
method pursuant to RCW 36.94 which the petition includes the Owner(s)
property and further not to object by the signing of a protest petition
against the formation of a ULID by resolution method pursuant to RCW
Chapter 36.94 which includes the Owner(s) property. PROVIDED, this
condition shall not prohibit the Owner(s) or Successor(s) from objection
to any assessment(s) on the property as a result of improvements called
for in conjunction with the formation of a ULID by either petition or
resolution method under RCW Chapter 36.94.
3. Any water service for this project shall be provided in accordance with
the Coordinated Water System Plan for Spokane County, as amended.
4. Each dwelling unit shall be double plumbed for connection to future
area -wide collection systems.
V. HEALTH DISTRICT
1. Sewage disposal 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 an existing public water supply when approved by
the Regional Engineer (Spokane), State Department of Social and Health
Services.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION PAGE 5
VE -74-87; LANCE AND ELIZABETH ELLIOTT
4. Subject to specific application approval and issuance of permits by the
Health Officer, the use of an individual on-site sewage system may be
authorized.
VI. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1. The owner(s) or successor(s) in interest must obtain an approach permit
from the County Engineer prior to the construction of any new access to
the county road. This must be accomplished prior to the release of a
building permit.
NOTICE: PENDING COMPLETION OF ALL CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL WHICH NEED TO BE
COMPLETED PRIOR TO PERMIT ISSUANCE, PERMITS CAN BE RELEASED PRIOR TO THE LAPSE
OF THE (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 11TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1987.
mas sMosher A
Zoning Adjustor, Spokane Co n
Washington
FILED:
1) Applicant
2) Parties of Record
3) Spokane County Engineering Department
4) Spokane County Health District
5) Spokane County Utilities Dept.
6) Spokane County Dept. of Building & Safety
7) Planning Dept. 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, N. 721 JEFFERSON ST., SPOKANE,
WA 99260. (Sections 4.25.090 and 4.25.100 of the Spokane County Zoning
Ordinance).
0049z/9-87
September 9, 1987 Agenda
September 1, 1987
Page 2 of 3
VE -74-87 - EAST 14118 4TH AVENUE
1. Department Findings
A. In accordance with Section 301 of the Uniform Building
Code, all buildings and structures including mobile homes and
fences over six feet in height requires the issuance of a
building permit by the Department of Building and Safety.
B. Project is located within Fire District No. 1.
C. Depending on the extent of existing water mains and
hydrant locations, fire hydrants which meet the minimum fire flow
requirements as enumerated in Chapter 6, Title 3 of the Spokane
County Code, may be required to be installed prior to any
construction.
D. Address for this property is East 14118 4th Avenue.
2. Building and Safety Code Requirements
A. The applicant shall provide verification from the Fire
District to the Department of Building and Safety that provisions
have been made for adequate fire protection prior to the release
of building permits.
VE -73-87 - NORTH 4604 LUCILLE ROAD
1. Department Findings
A. In accordance with Section 301 of the Uniform Building
Code, all buildings and structures including mobile homes and
fences over six feet in height requires the issuance of a
building permit by the Department of Building and Safety.
B. Project is located within Fire District No. 1.
C. Address for this property is North 4604 Lucille Road.