Loading...
Hearings Officer Packet - 08/26/1996• • PUBLIC NOTICE: Assistive Listening Devices are available for persons with impaired hearing and should be scheduled for Hearings Officer meetings by noon on the Monday prior to the meeting. Please call (503) 639-4171, Ext. 320 (voice) or (503) 684-2772 (TDD - Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf). Upon request, the City will also endeavor to arrange for the following services: ? Qualified sign language interpreters for persons with speech or hearing impairments; and ? Qualified bilingual interpreters. Since these services must be scheduled with outside service providers, it is important to allow as much lead time as possible. Please notify the City of Tigard of your need(s) by 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the meeting date at the same phone numbers as listed above. (OVER FOR MEETING AGENDA ITEM(S) TIGARD HEARINGS OFFICER PAGE 1 OF 2 8/26/96 PUBLIC HEARING h:\patty\masters\agendho.mst CITY OF TIGARD HEARINGS OFFICER AUGUST 26, 1996 - 7:00 P.M. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PUBLIC HEARING City of Tigard, Oregon 2.1 ?WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE< CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 96-0006NARIANCE (VAR) 96-0010 The applicant has requested Conditional Use Permit approval to a 130-foot tall cellular communications monopole structure and associated equipment structures. The applicant has also requested Variance approval to allow the use of a gravel surface as an access driveway to this facility. LOCATION: 11744 SW Pacific Highway (WCTM 1 S136CC, Tax Lots 2000 and 2100). COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: General Commercial (C-G). ZONING DESIGNATION: General Commercial (C-G). APPLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA: Community Development Code Sections 18.62, 18.98, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106, 18.108, 18.130, 18.134 18.150 and 18.164. 2.2 >TRENT TERRACE SUBDIVISIONQ SUBDIVISION (SUB) 96-0005 The applicant has requested to subdivide a 30,492 square foot parcel into seven lots ranging in size from approximately 3,129 square feet to 3,878 square feet. LOCATION: The site is located at the south east corner of SW Hall Boulevard and SW Spruce Street (WCTM 1 S135AD, Tax Lot 00500). COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: County Designation R-9/Pending a City designation of Medium Density Residential (7-12 dwelling units per acre). ZONING DESIGNATION: County Designation R-9/Pending a City designation of R-12. APPLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA: Community Development Code Sections 18.54, 18.88, 18.92, 18.100, 18.102, 18.150, 18.160 and 18.164. 3. OTHER BUSINESS 4. ADJOURNMENT TIGARD HEARING'S OFFICER PAGE 2 OF 2 8/26/96 PUBLIC HEARING h:\patty\masters\agendho.mst CITY OF TIGARD NOTICE OF CANCELLATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE HEARING'S OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1996 AT 7:00 PM, HAS BEEN CANCELED FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION: FILE NO: SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW (SDR) 96-0014 SENSITIVE LANDS REVIEW (SLR) 96-0004 FILE TITLE: LEARNING TREE DAY CARE CENTER APPLICANT: Gary Kaufman OWNER: John Steiger 3622 Eldorado Loop S. 301 NW Murray Blvd. Salem, OR 97302 Portland, OR 97229 REQUEST ? The applicant is requesting Site Development Review approval to allow the construction of an approximately 6,460 square foot children's day care center. Also requested was a Sensitive Lands Review approval to allow fill within the 100-year floodplain. THE APPLICANT HAS REVISED THE PROPOSAL SUCH THAT THERE WILL BE NO NET FILL WITHIN THE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN. THE REVISED PLAN WILL PLACE A PORTION OF A SIDEWALK WITHIN THE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN BUT ALSO PROVIDES FOR REMOVAL OF APPROXIMATELY 40 CUBIC YARDS OF MATERIAL. GIVEN THE CHANGE IN THE PROPOSED PLAN, THERE WILL BE NO NET RISE.IN THE LEVEL OF THE 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN. SINCE THERE IS LESS THAN 50 CUBIC YARDS OF EXCAVATION IN THE FLOODPLAIN, THE CITY DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIRES ONLY ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND NO PUBLIC HEARING. LOCATION: 10360 SW 87th Avenue (WCTM 1S1 35AA, Tax Lot 2000). APPLICABLE REVIEW Community Development Chapters 18.64, 18.84.040, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106, 18.108, CRITERIA: 18.114, 18.116, 18.120, 18.150 and 18.164. ZONE: C-P (Professional Commercial). The Professional Commercial zone allows public agency and administrative services, public support facilities, professional services, financial, insurance, real estate services, business support services, and multiple-family residential units, among others. A NOTICE OF DECISION SHALL BE MAILED ON THURSDAY AUGUST 29, 1996 REGARDING THE APPLICANT'S REVISED PLAN. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE STAFF PLANNER WILLIAM D'ANDREA AT (503) 639-4171, TIGARD CITY HALL, 13125 SW HALL BOULEVARD, TIGARD, OREGON. ST 9 Q LANDAU MAPLELEA +r u C( C? ?I MLO. PINE ST CU 1 0) s '66 U sIRRucE [E-Ti?-= vicinity Map A SDR 96-0014 ???be? N Lmming Tree Day Care Cntr.. CITY OF TIGARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE TIGARD HEARINGS OFFICER, AT A MEETING ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1996 AT 7:00 PM, IN THE TOWN HALL OF THE TIGARD CIVIC CENTER, 13125 SW HALL BOULEVARD, TIGARD, OREGON 97223 WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION: FILE NO: SITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW (SDR) 96-0014 SENSITIVE LANDS REVIEW (SLR) 96-0004 FILE TITLE: LEARNING TREE DAY CARE CENTER APPLICANT: Gary Kaufman OWNER: John Steiger 3622 Eldorado Loop S. 301 NW Murray Blvd. Salem, OR 97302 Portland, OR 97229 REQUEST ? The applicant is requesting Site Development Review approval to allow the construction of an approximately 6,460 square foot children's day care center. Also requested is Sensitive Lands Review approval to allow fill within the 100- year floodplain. LOCATION: 10360 SW 87th Avenue (WCTM 1 S1 35AA, Tax Lot 2000). APPLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA: Community Development Chapters 18.64, 18.84.040, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106, 18.108, 18.114, 18.116, 18.120, 18.150 and 18.164. ZONE: C-P (Professional Commercial). The Professional Commercial zone allows public agency and administrative services, public support facilities, professional services, financial, insurance, real estate services, business support services, and multiple-family residential units, among others. THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF CHAPTER 18.32 OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AND RULES OF PROCEDURE ADOPTED BY THE TIGARD CITY COUNCIL AND AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL, OR RULES OF PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18.30. ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS WITH IMPAIRED HEARING. THE CITY WILL ALSO ENDEAVOR TO ARRANGE FOR QUALIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND QUALIFIED BILINGUAL INTERPRETERS UPON REQUEST. PLEASE CALL (503) 639-4171, EXT. 320 (VOICE) OR (503) 684-2772 (TDD - TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF) NO LESS THAN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. SDR 96-0014/SLR 96-0004 LEARNING TREE DAY CARE CENTER NOTICE OF 8/26/96 HEARING'S OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE WISHING TO PRESENTgWITTEN TESTIMONY ON THIS P OSED ACTION MAY DO SO IN WRITING PRIOR TO OR AT THE PLWIC HEARING. ORAL TESTIMONY MW BE PRESENTED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING. AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE HEARINGS OFFICER WILL RECEIVE A STAFF REPORT PRESENTATION FROM THE CITY PLANNER; OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING; AND INVITE BOTH ORAL AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY. THE HEARINGS OFFICER MAY CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ANOTHER MEETING TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPLICATION. IF A PERSON SUBMITS EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT TO THE APPLICATION AFTER AUGUST 5. 1996. ANY PARTY IS ENTITLED TO REQUEST A CONTINUANCE OF THE HEARING. IF THERE IS NO CONTINUANCE GRANTED AT THE HEARING, ANY PARTICIPANT IN THE HEARING MAY REQUEST THAT THE RECORD REMAIN OPEN FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE HEARING. INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE IS A LIST OF APPROVAL CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO THE REQUEST FROM THE TIGARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE TIGARD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY THE HEARINGS OFFICER WILL BE BASED UPON THESE CRITERIA AND THESE CRITERIA ONLY. AT THE HEARING IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COMMENTS RELATING TO THE REQUEST PERTAIN SPECIFICALLY TO THE APPLICABLE CRITERIA LISTED. FAILURE TO RAISE AN ISSUE IN PERSON OR BY LETTER AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING ON THE REQUEST OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY TO AFFORD THE DECISION MAKER AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE ISSUE PRECLUDES AN APPEAL BASED ON THAT ISSUE. ALL DOCUMENTS AND APPLICABLE CRITERIA IN THE ABOVE-NOTED FILE ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT NO COST OR COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS (25?) PER PAGE, OR THE CURRENT RATE CHARGED FOR COPIES AT THE TIME OF THE REQUEST. AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING, A COPY OF THE STAFF REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT NO COST, OR A COPY CAN BE OBTAINED FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS (25C) PER PAGE, OR THE CURRENT RATE CHARGED FOR COPIES AT THE TIME OF THE REQUEST. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE STAFF PLANNER WILLIAM D'ANDREA AT (503) 639-4171, TIGARD CITY HALL, 13125 SW HALL BOULEVARD, TIGARD, OREGON. sRRucE SDR 96-0014/SLR 96-0004 LEARNING TREE DAY CARE CENTER NOTICE OF 8/26/96 HEARING'S OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING NEW EEARING AGENDA ITEM • CITY OF TIGARD PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE TIGARD HEARINGS OFFICER, AT A MEETING ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 1996 AT 7:00 PM, IN THE TOWN HALL OF THE TIGARD CIVIC CENTER, 13125 SW HALL BOULEVARD, TIGARD, OREGON 97223 WILL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION: FILE NO: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 96-0006 VARIANCE (VAR) 96-0010 FILE TITLE: WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE APPLICANT: Western PCS Corporation OWNER: Hans & Marilyn Grunbaum 7535 B NE Ambassador Place 21390 SW Edy Road Portland, OR 97220 Sherwood, OR 97140 REQUEST: ? The applicant is requesting approval to develop a 130-foot tall cellular communications monopole structure and an associated equipment structures. A variance has been requested to allow the use of gravel surface for an access driveway to this facility. LOCATION: 11744 SW Pacific Highway (WCTM 1 S1 36CC, Tax Lot 2100). APPLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA: Community Development Code Chapters 18.62, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106, 18.108, 18.114, 18.130, and 18.164. ZONE: General Commercial (CG). The CG zoning district permits a range of retail service uses and utility uses, subject to conditional use permit approval. THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF CHAPTER 18.32 OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AND RULES OF PROCEDURE ADOPTED BY THE TIGARD CITY COUNCIL AND AVAILABLE AT CITY HALL, OR RULES OF PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN CHAPTER 18.30. ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS WITH IMPAIRED HEARING. THE CITY WILL ALSO ENDEAVOR TO ARRANGE FOR QUALIFIED SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND QUALIFIED BILINGUAL INTERPRETERS UPON REQUEST. PLEASE CALL (503) 639-4171, EXT. 320 (VOICE) OR (503) 684- 2772 (TDD - TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES FOR THE DEAF) NO LESS THAN ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. CUP 96-0006NAR 96-0010 WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE NOTICE OF 8/26/96 HEARING'S OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING ANYONE WISHING TO PRESENT?ITTEN TESTIMONY ON THIS OSED ACTION MAY DO SO IN WRITING PRIOR TO OR AT THE P IC HEARING. ORAL TESTIMONY P BE PRESENTED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING. AT THE PUBLIC HEARING, THE HEARINGS OFFICER WILL RECEIVE A STAFF REPORT PRESENTATION FROM THE CITY PLANNER; OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING; AND INVITE BOTH ORAL AND WRITTEN TESTIMONY. THE HEARINGS OFFICER MAY CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO ANOTHER MEETING TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND TAKE ACTION ON THE APPLICATION. IF A PERSON SUBMITS EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT TO THE APPLICATION AFTER AUGUST 6 1996. ANY PARTY IS ENTITLED TO REQUEST A CONTINUANCE OF THE HEARING. IF THERE IS NO CONTINUANCE GRANTED AT THE HEARING, ANY PARTICIPANT IN THE HEARING MAY REQUEST THAT THE RECORD REMAIN OPEN FOR AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE HEARING. INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE IS A LIST OF APPROVAL CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO THE REQUEST FROM THE TIGARD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AND THE TIGARD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY THE HEARINGS OFFICER WILL BE BASED UPON THESE CRITERIA AND THESE CRITERIA ONLY. AT THE HEARING IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COMMENTS RELATING TO THE REQUEST PERTAIN SPECIFICALLY TO THE APPLICABLE CRITERIA LISTED. FAILURE TO RAISE AN ISSUE IN PERSON OR BY LETTER AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING ON THE REQUEST OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY TO AFFORD THE DECISION MAKER AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE ISSUE PRECLUDES AN APPEAL BASED ON THAT ISSUE. ALL DOCUMENTS AND APPLICABLE CRITERIA IN THE ABOVE-NOTED FILE ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT NO COST OR COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS (25t) PER PAGE, OR THE CURRENT RATE CHARGED FOR COPIES AT THE TIME OF THE REQUEST. AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING, A COPY OF THE STAFF REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT NO COST, OR A COPY CAN BE OBTAINED FOR TWENTY-FIVE CENTS (25C) PER PAGE, OR THE CURRENT RATE CHARGED FOR COPIES AT THE TIME OF THE REQUEST. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE STAFF PLANNER MARK ROBERTS AT (503) 639-4171, TIGARD CITY HALL, 13125 SW HALL BOULEVARD, TIGARD, OREGON. 71 CUP 96-0006NAR 96-0010 WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE NOTICE OF 8/26/96 HEARING'S OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS, INC. Legal PHONE (503) 684.0360 Notice TT 8 5 9 9 P.O. BOX 370 BEAVERTON, OREGON 97075 Legal Notice Advertising *City of Tigard • ? Tearsheet Notice 13125 SW Hall Blvd. ?a ?? •Tigard,Oregon 97223 0 ? Duplicate Affidavit ? v OF TIGARD .Accounts Payable • AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION STATE OF OREGON, )as. COUNTY OF WASHINGTON, )ss. 1 Kathy Snyder being first duly sworn, depose and say, that I am the Advertising Director, or his principal clerk, of theT?$ard-Tt?a 1 at-i n Times a newspaper of general circulation as defined in ORS 193.010 and 193.020; published at Tigard in the aforesaid county and state; that the Public Hearin_cl CUP96 0006/VARA6-0010 a printed copy of which is hereto annexed, was published in the entire issue of said newspaper for ONE -successive and consecutive in the following issues: August 15,1996 AFFIDAVIT c 51 M Cicei The following will be considered by the Tigard Hearings Officer on Mon- day, August 26 1996, at 7 P.M., at Tigard Civic Center - Town Hall, 13125 S.W. Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon. Both public, oral and written testimony is invited. The public hearing on this matter will be conducted in accordance with the rules of Chapter 18.32 of the Tigard Municipal Code, and rules and procedures of the Hearings Officer. Failure to raise an issue in person or by letter accompanied by statements or evidence suffi- cient to allow the hearings authority and all parties to respond precludes an appeal, and failure to specify the criterion from the Community Development Code or Comprehensive Plan at which a comment is directed precludes an appeal based on that criterion. Further information may be obtained from the Planning Division at 13125 S.W. Hall Boulevard, Tigard, Oregon 97223, or by calling (503) 639-4171. PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP) 96.00061 VARIANCE (VAR) 96.0010 > WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE < The applicant is requesting approval to develop a 130-foot tall cellular communications monopole structure and an associated equipment struc- tures. A variance has been requested to allow the use of gravel surface for st, an access driveway to this facility. LOCATION: 11744 S.W. Pacific Highway (WCTM 1S136CC, Tax Lot 2100). ZONE: General Commer- cial (CG). The CG zoning district permits a range of retail service uses `a and utility uses, subject to conditional use permit approval. AP- PLICABLE REVIEW CRITERIA: Community Development Code Chapters 18.62, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106,18.108, 18.114, 18.130, 18.150 and 18.164. TT8599 - Pubis) Aug-,;s! ' .5,'995. My Commission Expires: 0 • CITY OF TIGARD HEARING'S OFFICER SIGN-IN SHEET 44 A CRY of Tigard, OreOol NOTICE: ALL PERSONS DESIRING TO SPEAK ON ANY ITEM MUST SIGN THEIR NAME AND RECORD THEIR ADDRESS ON THIS SHEET ...(Please PRINT Leaibhll AGENDA ITEM #: 1 12.1 11 DATE OF HEARING: 8/26/96 Page _L_ of FILE NAME(S): [WESTERN PCS MONOPOLE CASE NUMBER(S): Fc USE PERMIT (CUP) 96-00040VARIANCE (VAR) 96-0010 OWNER(S) PAGE STEVENS APPLICANT(S): SAME AS OWNER LOCATION: 11744 SW PACIFIC HIGHWAY MAP(S) & TAX LOT(S) NO(S). WCTM 1 S1 36CC, TAX LOTS 2000 & 2100 PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND INCLUDE YOUR ZIP CODE PROPONENT (For the proposal) (Print Name/Address/Zip aAtnliation] OPPONENT (Against the proposal) (Prim Name/Addross/ap aAfifilation] Name: Name: Address: Address: City: State: Zip: City: State: Zip: Name: Name: Address: Address: City: State: Zip: City: State: Zip: Name: Name: Address: Address: City: State: Zip: City: State: Zip: h lpattyVn a ste rs\s ig n i n h o. mal • • BEFORE THE LAND USE HEARINGS OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF TIGARD, OREGON Regarding an application by Western PCS Corporation for a conditional Use Permit to develop a 130 foot cellular communications monopole and a variance from paving requirements for the access. 1. SUMMARY OF THE REQUEST FINAL ORDER CUP 96-0006 VAR 96-0010 (Western PCS) The applicant requests approval of a conditional use permit to develop a cellular communications monopole to improve cellular phone service along the Highway 217 and Highway 99 corridors and a variance to allow use of a gravel surface as an access driveway to this facility. Hearings Officer Deniece Won held a duly noticed public hearing regarding the application on August 26, 1996. City staff recommended conditional approval of the permit. The applicant accepted the staff report, recommendation and conditions. LOCATION: 11744 SW Pacific Highway; WCTM 2S1 36CC, Tax Lots 2000 and 2100 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ZONING DESIGNATION: C-G (General Commercial) APPLICANT: Western PCS Corporation OWNER: Hans & Marilyn Grunbaum APPLICABLE LAW: Community Development Code Chapters 18.62, 18.98, 18.100, 18.102, 18.106, 18.108, 18.120, 18.130, 18.134 and 18.164. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Conditionally approve HEARINGS OFFICER DECISION: Conditionally approve Page 1 - Hearings Officer decision CUP 96-0006 and VAR 96-0010 (Western PCS Monopole) • • II. HEARING A. Hearing Hearings Officer Deniece Won received testimony at the public hearing about this application on August 26, 1996. A record of that testimony is included herein as Exhibit A (Parties of Record), and Exhibit B (Taped Proceedings). These exhibits are filed at the Tigard City Hall. B. Summary of Oral Testimony. 1. City Planner Mark Roberts testified for the City. He summarized the staff report and recommendation. City staff recommended approval of the permit with conditions. 2. Hearings Officer Won said she had some doubt about whether the variance request conforms to the Code's variance criteria. She said her concern was particularly with the second criteria requiring that there be special circumstances peculiar to the site rather than peculiar to the use, and with the fifth criteria which requires that the hardship not be self imposed and that the variance be the minimum variance necessary to alleviate the hardship. 3. City Planner Mark Roberts stated that concerning criteria two, much of the reason for the location of the leasehold area is to maximize the redevelopment potential of the site. The variance is also justified because this type of use only requires a monthly service call. He said the staff considers this as one-way access. The Code does not specify a minimum width. He thinks that fifteen (15) feet is acceptable. 4. Mike Berndorf testified for the applicant. He said that the applicant accepts the conditions of approval. He stated that this site was chosen to cover a service gap in Western PCS's cellular system along Highway 217, along Highway 99 and in the downtown area of Tigard. He said the variance is requested because the cellular tower facilities are accessed infrequently. He said that the facility is unmanned and typically there is a only monthly service inspection with a service vehicle, such as a small pickup truck. He said that part of the reason the applicant chose to locate the facility on this particular part of the property is because it is an under-utilized portion of the property. The leasehold area is a triangular area in the corner of the property that would not likely be useful for some future commercial use. Locating the communications tower at that corner allows maximum use of the property for future development. He said this property is a good location for their cellular communication lines because of the site's line of sight to Highway 217 and its off-ramps. He stated that the applicant is asking for the minimum vehicular access that will meet Fire District requirements. He said that the applicant will comply with the requirement of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to pave the first 20 feet of the access road. Page 2 - Hearings Officer decision CUP 96-0006 and VAR 96-0010 (Western PCS Monopole) III. FINDINGS The Hearings Officer adopts and incorporates in this order the Tigard Community Development Staff report dated August 19, 1996 (the "Staff Report") including the summary, findings about the site and surroundings, applicable approval standards, agency comments and evaluation of the request, except to the extent expressly modified herein. IV. EVALUATION OF REQUEST A. Compliance with Community Development code and Comprehensive Plan. 1. Community Development code Section 18.134.050 allows the Hearings Officer to approve, or approve with conditions, a request for a variance based on the following findings: 11 The proposed variance will not be materially detrimental to the purposes of this title, be in conflict with the policies of the comprehensive plan, to any other applicable policies and standards, and to other properties in the same zoning district or vicinity; 2) There are special circumstances that exist which are peculiar to the lot size or shape, topography or other circumstances over which the applicant has no control, and which are not applicable to other properties in the same zoning district; 3) The use proposed will be the same as permitted under this title and City standards will be maintained to the greatest extent that is reasonably possible while permitting some economic use of the land; 4) Existing physical and natural systems, such as but not limited to traffic, drainage, dramatic land forms, or parks will not be adversely affected any more than would occur if the development were located as specified in the title; and 5) The hardship is not self-imposed and the variance requested is the minimum variance which would alleviate the hardship. a. Before 1992, LUBA and the Oregon Courts strictly construed city and county traditional variance criteria, such as contained in the Tigard Community Development Code. After 1992, LUBA and the Courts have backed away from strict interpretation and deferred to local governments' interpretation of ambiguous code terms unless the term is not ambiguous or that interpretation is clearly wrong. The petitioner has the burden to prove that his request complies with the criteria. Main Auto Body v. City of Salem, Or LUBA 95-076. Page 3 - Hearings Officer decision CUP 96-0006 and VAR 96-0010 (Western PCS Monopole) The Tigard Development Code contains five criteria applicable to a variance request. Each of the five criterion contains more than one factor. b. Criteria 1 requires that the proposed variance will not be: a) materially detrimental to the purposes of the Code, and b) in conflict with: 1) the policies of the comprehensive plan, 2) any other applicable polices and standards, and 3) to other properties in the same zoning district or vicinity. 1) The applicant's submittal argued that public safety and welfare will not be jeopardized by approving the variance. I find that this is an overly broad statement of the Code's requirement that approval of the variance request will not be materially detrimental to the purposes of the Code. The applicant's submittal does not address the criterion's requirement that the variance will not be in conflict with other properties in the same zoning district or vicinity. 2) The City staff report found that the proposed driveway pavement variance is not materially detrimental to the purposes of the Code nor in conflict with polices of the Comprehensive Plan because if its limited nature. I accept these findings. 3) The City staff found that developing this use closer to the street would limit future development of the property. The staff seems to conclude that the purposes of the comprehensive plan and Development Code are more fully fulfilled by approving the use at the proposed location, with the variance, than would occur if the use were located closer to the public street, thereby reducing the access length that needs to be paved under the Code's requirements. While this may be true, the variance criteria does not set forth a balancing of benefits test, but rather requires that granting the variance not be materially detrimental to the Code's purposes. I find this staff finding of fact to be irrelevant to deciding whether to approve the requested variance. 4) 1 find that there was no evidence submitted that the variance is in conflict with other properties in the same zoning district. I conclude that the variance request complies with the first criterion. c. Criteria 2 requires that there are special circumstances that exist, a) which are peculiar to the 1) lot size or shape, 2) topography, or 3) other circumstances over which the applicant has no control, and b) which are not applicable to other properties in the same zoning district. 1) Under the Tigard Community Development Code, the "special circumstances" that exist must be peculiar to the lot or other circumstances over which the applicant has no control. The "lot size and shape, or topography" standards relate to the site and not to the owner or the proposed use of the land involved with the requested variance. Because the "other circumstances" requirement is limited to circumstances over which the applicant has no control, this criterion requires that the special circumstances relate to land, not to the owner or the proposed use. This standard requires proof that the "special circumstances that exist" arise from conditions inherent in the land which distinguish it from Page 4 - Hearings Officer decision CUP 96-0006 and VAR 96-0010 (Western PCS Monopole)