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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWhether to Hear Appeal - Stolz01'ESC wg � Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT For Board Business Meeting of February 6, 2008 DATE: January 24, 2008 FROM: Cynthia Smidt Community Development Department 317-3150 TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM: Board consideration whether to hear or not hear an appeal (A-08-2) of a Hearings Officer decision denying the partition of land based on a Measure 37 claim. PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? No. BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The 19.82 -acre subject property is located on Harrington Loop Road and is owned by John and Charlene Stoltz. As a result of waivers of land use regulations from Deschutes County (Order No. 2006-046) and the State of Oregon (Final Order for Claim No. M124485), the Stoltz' requested approval to divide the 19.82 -acre subject property into three (3) lots and establish a single-family dwelling on each of the new parcels (file no. MP -07-29). The Hearings Officer denied the partition request or the request to establish dwellings on each of the new parcels because it was not demonstrated that there was adequate legal access to the subject property from Harrington Loop Road to either Gist Road or Highway 20. The Stoltz' filed an appeal of the Hearings Officer decision on January 22, 2008, and request de novo review. Due to the time constraints on the 150 -day time line (would expire February 4, 2008) for processing land use decision, the appellants have extended the clock 60 days, to April 4, 2008. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends the Board not hear this appeal because staff believes that the applicant/appellant was able to present all relevant evidence at the hearing before the Hearings Officer. Staff agrees with the Hearings Officer's analysis and decision. In addition, staff does not believe the Hearings Officer decision presents a policy issue. ATTENDANCE: Cynthia Smidt DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS: John and Charlene Stotlz 5680 Oregon Road Mt. Hood Parkdale, OR 97041 Legal Counsel Cynthia Smidt Community Development Department Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Health Division 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925 (541)388-6575 FAX (541)385-1764 http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/cdd/ MEMORANDUM DATE: January 24, 2008 TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Cynthia Smidt, Associate Planner RE: Appeal (A-08-2) by Stoltz of Hearings Officer decision denying a 3 -lot land division and associated single-family dwellings. BACKGROUND The 19.82 -acre subject property is located on Harrington Loop Road (no assigned address at this time) and is further identified on County Assessor tax map 15-11-31 as tax lot 901. It is owned by John and Charlene Stoltz. The property owners received a waiver of land use regulations from Deschutes County by Order No. 2006-046 and from the State of Oregon through a Final Order for Claim No. M124485. The Stoltz requested approval to divide the 19.82 -acre subject property into three (3) parcels and establish a single-family dwelling on each of the new parcels (file no. MP -07- 29). The proposed parcels are rectangular in shape and would be five (5) and 10 acres each in size. A 60 -foot wide private access easement running south from Harrington Loop Road would provide access primarily to Parcel 2 and alternatively to Parcel 1 and 3. Parcel 1 and 3 could also take access from Harrington Loop Road. The decision to deny the application is based on the Hearings Officer's findings that the applicant failed to demonstrate the subject property and proposed parcels would have sufficient legal access from Harrington Loop Road to Gist Road or Highway 20 as addressed in Deschutes County Code (DCC) 17.22.020(A)(3) and (A)(6) as well as DCC 17.48.160(B)(1). See pages 16, 20, and 23 of the attached Hearings Officer's decision. Based on County Road Department records, the portion of Harrington Loop Road between Highway 20 and Gist Road is not a dedicated road right-of-way nor is it an established right-of-way. The County Road Department requested the property owners to dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way along their property frontage. The Stoltz filed an appeal of the Hearings Officer decision on January 22, 2008. The appellants argue that Harrington Loop Road is a public road. The initial public hearing was held or November 13, 2007. On January 7, 2008, the Hearings Officer issued a decision denying the land division request. The Stoltz' filed an appeal of the Hearings Officer decision on January 22, 2008, and request de novo review. Due to the time constraints on the 150 -day time line File No.: A-08-2 (MP -07-29) Page 1 of Quality Services Performed with Pride which expires on February 4, 2008, for processing land use decision, the appellants have extended the clock 60 days, to April 4, 2008 Attached for the Board's review are the Hearings Officer decision, staff report, and survey of the proposed partition. APPEAL The notice of appeal describes relevant background facts and the reasons for appeal. As detailed in DCC 22.32.020(A), the Board should review the notice of appeal to determine that it's sufficiently specific so that the Board is able to respond to and resolve each issue in dispute. If the Board decides to hear the appeal, the review shall be on the record unless the Board, under its own motion, decides to hear the appeal de novo (DCC 22.32.027(6)(1) and (3)). As noted above, the appellants have requested a de novo hearing. Per DCC 22.32.027(6)(4), the Board, may, at its discretion, determine that it will limit the issues on appeal to those listed in the notice of appeal, or to one or more specific issues from among those listed on the notice of appeal. DECLINING REVIEW If the Board of County Commissioners decides that the Hearings Officer's decision shall be the final decision of the County, then the Board shall not hear the appeal and the party appealing may continue the appeal as provided by law. The decision on the land use application becomes final upon the mailing of the Board's decision to decline review. As indicated in DCC 22.32.035(B) and (D), in determining whether to hear an appeal, the Board may consider only: 1) The record developed before the Hearings Officer; 2) The notice of appeal; and 3) Recommendations of staff. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Board not hear this appeal because staff believes that the applicant/appellant was able to present all relevant evidence at the hearing before the Hearings Officer. Staff agrees with the Hearings Officer's analysis and decision. In addition, staff does not believe the Hearings Officer decision presents a policy issue. SCHEDULE This item is scheduled for the Board's regular meeting on February 6, 2008. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience with any questions or concerns. File No.: A-08-2 (MP -07-29) Page 2 o`2 M DESCHUTES COUNTY g u) Harrington Loop Range 11 East W.M. )T /R: IA A F 667.60' N Parcel 1 r cr)S ac c rv ‹- ] 667.60' ----"4 A_ <E- 1335.21' t 1 60 60' road & utility - Parcel 3 easement 1 r 1 10 ac 667,60' 1> op Parcel 2 o cn 5 ac 667.60' -3 :c N M M T N k N fa t t 0 z JAN -16-2008 03:43P FROM: TO:15413851764 P.2 Community Development Department Planning Division 117 NW Lafayette Avenue. Bend, OR 57701-1825 (541 ) 3856575 - Fax (541) 385.1764 htsp://www deachutee.org/cdd APPEAL APPLICATION FEE: $ 2010" EVERY NOTICE OF APPEAL SHALL INCLUDE: 1. A statement describing the specific reasons for the appeal. 2. If the Board of County Commissioners Is the Hearings Body, a request for review by the Board stating the reasons the Board should review the lower decision. 3. If the Board of County Commissioners is the Hearings Body and de novo review is desired, a request for de novo review by the Board, stating the reasons the Board should provide the de novo review as provided in Section 22.32.027 of Title 22. It Is the msponslblUty of the Appellant to complete a Notice of Appeal as set forth In Chapter 22.32 of the County Code. The Notice of Appeal on the reverse side of this form must Include the Items listed above. Failure to complete all of the above may render an appeal Invalid Any additional comments should be Included on the Notice of Appeal. Appellant's Name (print): To In h f Cfit 11+- 1- 4� 'kT' JPhone: (5 /() ?go D — 2.22 C Mailing Address: C4986, qOVejDVt City/State/Zip: Mt 14654j (X 976W Land Use Application Being Appealed: M P — b -7 — 2. f' Property Description: Township (S Range 1( Section 3 / T L t `i 6 ( Appellant's Signature: cs EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 22.32.024, APPELLANT SHALL PROVIDE A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF ANY HEARING APPEALED, FROM RECORDED MAGNE'RC TAPES PROVIDED BY THE PLANNING DIVISION UPON REQUEST (THERE IS A $5.00 FEE FOR EACH MAGNETIC TAPE RECORD). APPELLANT SHALL SUBMIT THE TRANSCRIPT TO THE PLANNING DIVISION NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF THE DAY FIVE (5) DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE SET FOR THE DE NOVO HEARING OR, FOR ON -THE -RECORD APPEALS, THE DATE SET FOR RECEIPT OF WRITTEN RECORDS. (over) 1/07 TAN -16-2008 04:54P FROM: Notice of Appeal TO:15413851764 P.3 We are appealing the denial of our partition application (MP -07-29) because of the Hearings Officer claim that we do not have legal access to use the Harington Loop Rd. from our property to either Gist Rd. or Hwy 20. Therefore, we are requesting that the Board of County Commissioners a de novo review the lower decision by the Hearings Officer and overturn the denial of partition application MP -07-29. Harrington Loop is listed on the Deschutes County database as a county road. Deschutes County has been maintaining Harrington Loop Rd. across and in front of our property for many years. Mr. Kolb of the Deschutes County Road Department discusses the need to dedicate 30 feet of right-of- way from the section along our property frontage. We readily agreed to this request. There is a church across from our property that brings in many Harrington Loop road users on a regular basis. This means that Harrington Loop has been de facto used as a public road for many years. Thus public access has been allowed from either Gist Road or Hwy 20. This is further substantiated by the continuous maintenance by Deschutes County of the road over the years. See CU9915 for access to Harrington Loop provided by permit process from County Road Department Also, our neighbors, the Hunts, identified on Map 1511 31, lot 900, bought a similar parcel of land just to the east of us. That parcel was available to us at the same time we bought our parcel, lot 901 in 1968. They have been allowed to build a house and use Harrington Loop as their major access road, so we should have the same identical rights. Consequently, this implies that this section of Harrington Loop has previously been determined to be a public road. See CU -05-47 which declares Harrington Loop as a County road and the access permit SW7556 officially granting access. When we originally bought the property in 1968, the records did not show that Harrington Loop was a private road. No restrictions on our warranty deed were placed to indicate that Harrington Loop was private. There was a small access driveway from Harrington Loop when we first bought the property. This implies use of the Harrington Loop road even before we bought It. Finally, we have been traveling to the property at least once a year and sometime several times a year since we have purchased the property. We have driven onto property from both Hwy 20 and Gist Rd many times. We would like to request that the fee for this appeal be waived because of a small perceived technicality found by the Hearings Officer. The applicant is willing to extend the 150 -day time line by another 60 days to allow adequate review of the new information not contained in the original record. 22 January, 2008 Community Development Department Planning Division Building Safety Division Environmental Health Division k. .._{_. { { ` 117 NW Lafayette Avenue Bend Oregon 97701-1925 (541)388-6575 FAX (541)385-1764 http://www.co.deschutes.or.us/+:dd/ DESCHUTES COUNTY PLANNING DIVISION STAFF REPORT FILE NUMBER: MP -07-29 HEARING DATE: Tuesday, November 13, 2007, 6:30 p.m. Barnes and Sawyer Rooms, Deschutes Services Center 1300 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon 97701 APPLICANT/OWNER: John and Charlene Stoltz 5680 Oregon Road Mt. Hood Parkdale, Oregon 97041 REQUEST: The applicant is requesting a Minor Partition for a land division to divide an approximate 19.82 -acre parcel into three parcels in the Exclusive Farm Use — Tumalo/Redmond/Bend subzone, and to place a single-family dwelling on each of the three new parcels. The minimum lot size under sections 18.16.055, 18.16.060 and 18.16.065 has been waived by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners through Order No. 2006-046. The State of Oregon waived the state restrictions on parcel sizes and the establishment of one dwelling on the resulting undeveloped parcel under Statewide Planning Goal No. 3, ORS 215, and OAR 660, Division 33, none of which were in effect on March 15, 1968. STAFF CONTACT: Cynthia Smidt, Associate Planner I. APPLICABLE CRITERIA: Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, the County Zoning Ordinance: A. Chapter 18.16, Exclusive Farm Use Zone Quality Services Performed with Pride B. 1. Section farmland 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section Chapter 18. 1. Section 2. Section 18.16.030, Conditional uses permitted — high value and nonhigh value 18.16.050, Standards for dwellings in the EFU zones 18.16.055, Land divisions 18.16.060, Dimensional standards 18.16.065, Subzones 18.16.070, Yards 84, Landscape Management Combing Zone 18.84.020. Application of provisions. 18.84.050. Use Limitations. Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code, Partitions. A. B. C. D. Chapter 17.22, Approval of Tentative Plans for Partitions 1. Section 17.22.020. Requirements for approval. 2. Section 17.22.030. Improvement requirements. Chapter 17.36, Design Standards 1. Section 17.36.020. Streets. 2. Section 17.36.040. Existing Streets. 3. Section 17.36.160. Easements. 4. Section 17.36.170. Lots -Size and shape. 5. Section 17.36.180. Frontage. 6. Section 17.36.210. Solar access performance. 7. Section 17.36.260. Fire Hazards 8. Section 17.36.290. Individual wells. Chapter 17.44, Park Development Chapter 17.48, Design and Construction Specifications 1. Section 17.48.160. Road development requirements — Standards. 2. Section 17.48.170. Road development requirements — Partitions. 3. Section 17.48.180. Private Roads. II. BASIC FINDINGS: A. LOCATION: The subject property is identified on Deschutes County Assessor's map 15-11-31 as tax lot 901. A street address had not been assigned to the subject property at the time of this report. B. LOT OF RECORD: Tax lot 901 was conveyed in a Contract of Sale on March 15, 1968. A Warranty Deed was later recorded with the Deschutes County Clerk's Office (Volume 198, Page 409) on August 15, 1973. At the time the 1968 contract was executed, there were no requirements for land partitions nor were there any used to regulate zoning and minimum lot sizes. Based on these findings, Deschutes County recognizes tax lot 901 as a legal lot of record. C. ZONING: The property is zoned Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) — TumalofRedmond/Bend subzone. The property is also within the Landscape Management (LM) Combining zone. This property is designated Agriculture on the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 2 D. SITE DESCRIPTION: The subject property is approximately 19.82 acres with relatively level terrain. The site is sparsely vegetated with juniper trees, native shrubs, and bunch grasses. The property does not contain water rights. According to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Deschutes County and the National Wetlands Inventory, respectively, the subject property is not located in the 100 -year flood plain and contains no wetlands. The property is currently undeveloped. These were verified by site visit on October 25, 2007. E. SURROUNDING LAND USES: The area surrounding the subject property consists of vacant lands, rural residences, and agricultural uses. Surrounding the property to the west, east, and south are small farm parcels, developed or vacant, zoned Exclusive Farm Use. Harrington Loop Road borders the property along the north boundary. Beyond Harrington Loop Road are rural residential parcels, developed or vacant, zoned Multiple Use Agricultural. Further to the north, west, and east are additional small sized rural residential properties zoned Multiple Use Agricultural. A majority of these properties are developed with residential uses. Zoning in the area is a mixture of Exclusive Farm Use (EFU-TRB), Multiple Use Agricultural (MUA10), and Flood Plain (FP). F. PROPOSAL: The applicant proposes to divide the approximate 20 -acre parcel into three parcels: Parcels 1 and 2 will be approximately five (5) acres each and Parcel 3 will be 10 acres.' The intended use of the parcels is for single-family dwellings. A private road easement is proposed to travel from Harrington Loop Road south, down the middle of the property and end in "an adequate fire truck turnaround" or cul-de-sac. The private road will separate Parcels 1 and 2, both oriented along the western boundary, from Parcel 3 which will be oriented along the eastern boundary. As illustrated on the submitted tentative partition plan, the proposed three parcels are rectangular in shape with Parcel 1 (5 acres) located along the western boundary, at the corner of Harrington Loop Road and the proposed private road. Parcel 2 (5 acres) is located south of Parcel 1 and along the western boundary, at the end of the private road. Parcel 3 (10 acres) will be located along the eastern boundary, also at the corner of Harrington Loop Road and the private road. The applicants propose dual access, taken from the private road and from Harrington Loop Road, to Parcels 1 and 3, while Parcel 2 will only have access from the private road. Water will be provided to each new parcel by a private individual well. Each parcel will be served by an on-site septic system. The applicant has not applied for a Conditional Use permit for a nonfarm dwelling on each of the resulting parcels, based on the waiver granted by the County (Order No. 2006-046 mentioned above). G. PUBLIC AGENCY COMMENTS: The Planning Division mailed notice to several agencies and received the following comments: 1. Deschutes County Environmental Health Division: No records [exist for the property]. Each proposed lot much have an approved site evaluation. 1 The County Assessor's records indicate the subject property is 19.82 acres. However, based on the submitted application and the property description recorded on the deeds and for ease of reporting lot sizes in this report, staff will refer to the parent parcel as 20 acres with the proposed parcels being 5 acres each for Parcel 1 and 2 and 10 acres for Parcel 3. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 3 2. Deschutes County Road Department: George Kolb, County Engineer, provided the following comments: Background information: • Harrington Loop Road is a County Road with a paved surface from Gist Road to Peterson Ridge Road and is maintained by Deschutes County. This portion of Harrington Loop was legalized by the County in 2006. • The portion of Harrington Loop from Highway 20 to Gist Road is a gravel road that is maintained by Deschutes County on a limited basis. There is no record of right-of-way dedication or establishment of right-of-way on this portion of Harrington Loop therefore the applicant will be required to dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way from the section along their property frontage. The applicant is to meet the following conditions if this land use application is approved: 1. All easements of record or existing rights -of -ways shall be noted on the final mylar. 2. The applicant shall dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way from the section line along their property frontage for Harrington Loop Road. 3. The surveyor or engineer submitting the plat shall submit information showing the location of the existing road in relationship to the road right-of-way, on behalf of the applicant to the County Road Department. This information can be submitted on a worksheet and does not necessarily have to be on the final plat. All existing road facilities and new road improvements are to be located within legally established or dedicated right-of-ways. In no case shall a road improvement be located outside of a dedicated road right-of-way. If research reveals that inadequate right-of-way exists or that the existing roadway is outside of the legally established or dedicated right-of-way, additional right-of-way will be dedicated as directed by the Deschutes County Road Department to meet current County standards. Staff Comment: Planning staff inquired with Mr. Kolb regarding the impact on Harrington Loop Road as a result of the three additional homes being proposed. George Kolb, issued a response dated October 25, 2007. Mr. Kolb's comments are below: I don't think it will burden that portion of Harrington Loop. One thing I did overlook is that they are accessing one of the parcels on an easement versus a public right-of- way. If I remember the code right, Parcel No. 2 will either have to be a flag lot or the 60 foot road and utility easement would have to be dedicated and built to the standards for a partition. 3. Deschutes County Property Address Coordinator: If this application is approved, the applicants shall contact the Property Address Coordinator for new addresses. 4. Deschutes County Transportation Planner: Planning staff inquired with Peter Russell, County Transportation Planner regarding the impact on Harrington Loop MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 4 Road as a result of the three additional homes being proposed. Mr. Russell issued a response dated October 24, 2007. Mr. Russell's comments are below: On a traffic analysis standpoint, this won't be a burden on Harrington Loop Road. I'm not wild about the Harrington Loop/20 intersection, which is likely where the bulk of those 30 trips would end up, but the trip rate falls below what our traffic requirements would need to trigger a traffic study. 5. The following aaencies did not respond or had no comments: Cloverdale Fire Department, Cascade Natural Gas, Central Electric Cooperative, Deschutes County Assessor, Deschutes County Transportation Planner, Deschutes County Surveyor, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), Pacific Power and Light, Qwest, and Watermaster — District 11. H. PUBLIC COMMENTS: The Planning Division sent notice of this proposal to all property owners within 750 feet of the subject property. No written comments were received. The applicant has also complied with the posted notice requirements of Section 22.23.030 (B) of Title 22. The applicant has submitted a Land Use Action Sign Affidavit dated October 31, 2007 that indicates that the applicant posted notice of the land use action on October 31, 2007. I. REVIEW PERIOD: The application was submitted to the Planning Division on August 6, 2007. The Planning Division deemed this application complete and accepted it for review on September 6, 2007. Notification of the public hearing was posted in the Bend Bulletin Newspaper on October 15, 2007. As of the date of the public hearing for this matter, November 13, 2007, staff estimates that 82 days will remain on the 150 -day review clock for this land use application. J. BALLOT MEASURE 37: The property owner has received approval of a waiver of land use regulations from Deschutes County, which is listed under Board of County Commissioners Order No. 2006-046, signed by the Board on April 5, 2006 and recorded with the County Clerk on April 7, 2006. Section 2 on page 2 of this Order states the following: The Board hereby elects to not apply nonexempt County land use regulations, to the subject property described in Exhibit "B" in lieu of payment of just compensation under Ballot Measure 37. Claimants are hereby authorized to use the subject property as permitted at the time they acquired the. Claimants may apply for a use of the subject property consistent with the zoning and regulations in effect at the time they acquired the property. That land use shall be permitted if the subject property fully complies with all regulations in effect on March [15], 1968. The Community Development Director is hereby authorized to determine the effects that any other non-exempt regulations in effect on this date would have on Claimants' proposed development differently than current non-exempt regulations. However, the current procedural regulations for land division and development applications and approval, including, but not limited to setbacks, access, height, and landscaping requirements shall be applied. Staff finds that the applicant purchased the subject property prior to the adoption of the following two land use regulations in the County. Staff is not aware of any previous land MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 5 use regulations which would be applicable to the applicant's property prior to the purchase of the subject property. • Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on June 17, 1970 by Resolution No. 1 signed on this same June 17, 1970 date. • Subdivision Ordinance No. PL -2, passed and adopted by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on September 9, 1970. Additionally, the applicant received approval of a waiver from the State of Oregon through a Final Order for Claim No. M124485, signed by the Director of the State of Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Administrator, DAS, State Services Division on September 11, 2006, waiving the State's regulations to March 15, 1968. The waiver from the State documents the following: 1. In lieu of compensation under ORS 197.352, the State of Oregon will not apply the following laws to John and Charlene Stoltz's division of the 19.82 -acre property into eight parcels or to their development of a dwelling on each parcel: applicable provisions of Goal 3, ORS 215 and OAR 660, division 33. These land use regulations will not apply to the claimants only to the extent necessary to allow them to use the subject property for the use described in this report, and only to the extent that use was permitted when they acquired the property on March 15, 1968. 2. The action by the State of Oregon provides the state's authorization to the claimants to use the subject property for the use described in this report, subject to the standards in effect on March 15, 1968. 3. To the extent that any law, order, deed, agreement or other legally enforceable public or private requirement provides that the subject property may not be used without a permit, license or other form of authorization or consent, the order will not authorize the use of the property unless the claimants first obtain that permit, license or other form of authorization or consent. Such requirement may include, but are not limited to: a building permit, land use decision, a "permit" as defined in ORS 215.402 or 227.160, other permits or authorizations from local, state or federal agencies and restrictions on the use of the subject property imposed by private parties. 4. Any use of the subject property by the claimants under the terms of the order will remain subject to the following laws: (a) those laws not specified in (1) above; (b) any laws enacted or enforced by a public entity other than the Commission or the department; and (c) those laws not subject to ORS 197.352 including, without limitation, those laws exempted under ORS 197.352(3). 5. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms and conditions, in order for the claimants to use the subject property, it may be necessary for them to obtain a decision under ORS 197.352 from a city and/or county and/or metropolitan service district that enforces land use regulations applicable to the property. Nothing in this order relieves the claimants from the necessity of obtaining a decision under ORS 197.352 from a local public entity that has jurisdiction to enforce a land use regulation applicable to a use of the subject property by the claimants. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 6 III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: In the Arnett decision (County file TP -06-977), the Board of County Commissioners found the threshold questions following the property owner's Measure 37 waivers are: 1. What if any land use regulations applied to the subject property on March 15, 1968; 2. What if any current non-exempt land use regulations apply to the proposed partition because they would not have the effect of reducing the value of the subject property, and does the proposed partition comply with applicable current non-exempt regulations; 3. What if any current exempt land use regulations apply to the proposed partition, and does the proposed partition comply with the current exempt regulations identified as applicable? These questions are addressed in the findings below. 1. What If Any Land Use Regulations Were In Effect as of March 15, 1968? FINDING: The record indicates that there were no applicable land use regulations regarding the partition of land within Deschutes County on March 15, 1968. 2. What If Any Current Non-exempt and Exempt Land Use Regulations Apply to the Proposed Partition? FINDING: Based on the Arnett decision, staff believes that the provisions of Titles 17 and 18, subdivision and partition ordinance and the zoning ordinance, respectively, of the Deschutes County Code, apply to the applicant's proposal to the extent application of these provisions does not result in a reduction in the value of the subject property or to the extent they are exempt under Measure 37. As discussed in detail in this report, staff finds that with three exceptions the provisions of Title 18 governing development of EFU-zoned land do not apply to the proposed partition because they would reduce the value of the subject property and therefore were waived by the county's Measure 37 order or they are exempt regulations dealing with health and safety. However, staff believes the provisions of Title 17 do apply to the proposed partition because either they do not reduce the subject property's value or they are exempt from Measure 37. Compliance with those provisions is discussed in the findings below. 3. Does the Applicant's Proposed Partition Comply With the Regulations Identified as Applicable in 1968? FINDINGS: The record does not include a copy of the provisions of ORS Chapter 92 in effect on March 15, 1968 when the Stoltz's purchased the property. Staff was not able to obtain or view a copy of these statutes. However, in the Arnett decision, the Board found that given the subject matter covered by the current provisions of ORS Chapter 92, the Board believed it is unlikely the version in effect in March of 1968 included any provisions either establishing minimum lot sizes or prohibiting partitioning of the subject property. Staff believes the same applies here. MP -07-29 - Stoltz Page 7 4. Does the Applicant's Proposed Partition Comply with the current Exempt and Non-exempt Regulations Identified as Applicable? FINDING: The proposed partition's compliance with applicable current federal, state and county land use regulations is discussed in detail in the findings below. IV. CONCLUSIONARY FINDINGS: Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, County Zoning. A. CHAPTER 18.16, EXCLUSIVE FARM USE ZONE 1. Section 18.16.025. Uses permitted subject to the special provisions under DCC 18.16.038... A. Dwellings customarily provided in conjunction with farm use (farm -related dwellings). 2. Section 18.16.030. Conditional uses permitted — High value and nonhigh value farmland. The following uses may be allowed in the Exclusive Farm Use zones on either high value or nonhigh value farmland subject to applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Plan, DCC 18.16.040 and 18.16.050, and other applicable sections of DCC Title 18. A. Nonfarm dwelling and accessory uses thereto. B. Lot of record dwelling. FINDING: The proposal consists of partitioning one 20 -acre parcel into three parcels, two being 5 acres and one being 10 acres. The applicants have been granted a waiver from the non-exempt County land use regulations adopted after January 1, 1970 which resulted in a reduction of property value. Zoning regulations were absent from County codes prior to 1970. Consequently, any dwellings on the proposed parcel would not be considered farm, nonfarm or lot of record dwellings, and a land use permit is not required for such a dwelling. County records indicate that there is no conditional use permit or administrative determination being reviewed for a dwelling on the resulting parcels. 3. Section 18.16.050. Standards for dwellings in the EFU zones. Dwellings listed in DCC 18.16.025 and 18.16.030 may be allowed under the conditions set forth below for each kind of dwelling, and all dwellings are subject to the landowner for the property upon which the dwelling is placed, signing and recording in the deed records for the County, a document binding the landowner, and the landowner's successors in interest, prohibiting them from pursuing a claim for relief or cause of action alleging injury from farming or forest practices for which no action or claim is allowed under ORS 93.396 or 30.397. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 8 FINDING: Staff believes this criterion of requiring the signing of the document that prohibits landowners of the proposed parcels from pursuing a claim for relief or cause of action alleging injury from farm or forest practices would be considered a non-exempt regulation. However, staff also believes that recording this waiver does not reduce property values for the proposed parcels because there is no evidence to suggest that the recordation of such waivers results in the reduction of property value. In County decision MP -05-21, the Hearings Officer concludes that this standard was not waived under the BM37 orders. Staff recommends any approval be conditioned to this effect. 4. Section 18.16.070. Yards. A. The front yard shall be 40 feet from a property line fronting on a local street, 60 feet from a property line fronting on a collector and 100 feet from a property line fronting on an arterial. B. Each side yard shall be a minimum of 25 feet, except that for nonfarm dwelling proposed on parcels or lots with side yards adjacent to a property currently employed in farm use, the side yard shall be a minimum of 100 feet. C. Rear yards shall be a minimum of 25 feet, except that for nonfarm dwellings proposed on parcels or lots with rear yards adjacent to a property currently employed in farm use, the rear yard shall be a minimum of 100 feet. D. In addition to the setbacks set forth herein, any greater setbacks required by applicable building or structural codes adopted by the State of Oregon and/or the County under DCC 15.04 shall be met. FINDING: Staff believes that current standard setbacks apply since there is no evidence to suggest that the required minimum setbacks result in a reduction of property value. Staff notes however, that since the dwellings on these proposed parcels would not be considered nonfarm parcels, the 100 -foot setback required for nonfarm dwellings adjacent to farm use would not apply. Agricultural practices within on mile of the subject property include mostly small-scale farm uses consisting of livestock grazing and hay production. Most of these small-scale farm uses occur on properties that have dwellings and thus serve primarily as rural residences; these parcels are not devoted entirely to farm use. The only two properties abutting the subject property that are currently engaged in farm use and receiving farm deferral is one to the west and one to the south (tax lot 1000 and 707, respectively, of tax map 15-11-31). Furthermore, in County file TP-07-977/MA-06-21, the Hearings Officer found that the 100 -foot setback was not an exempt regulation based on the fact that there was evidence presented that showed no health and safety issues in that specific situation. The applicant indicates that the proposed dwellings on the resulting parcels will meet minimum required setbacks. Staff recommends it be made a condition of any approval that the proposed dwellings comply with setback standards (front setback of 40 feet, rear setback of 25 feet, and side setback of 25 feet) of the EFU zone and the solar setback standards of 18.116.180(6)(1). This compliance can be checked at the time of building permit application. 5. Section 18.16.055. Land Divisions. 6. Section 18.16.060. Dimensional standards. 7. Section 18.16.065. Subzones. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 9 FINDING: The minimum lot size under the above listed sections has been waived by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners through Order No. 2006-046. The waiver states the applicants "may apply for a use of the subject property consistent with the zoning and regulations in effect at the time they acquired the property" March 15, 1968. Except for the frontage standards of 18.16.060(D) and the building height restriction of 18.16.060(E), Staff believes that the criteria and standards listed under these three sections do not apply to the proposed parcels. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearings Officer. B. CHAPTER 18.84, LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT COMBINING ZONE 1. Section 18.84.020. Application of provisions. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all areas within one-fourth mile of roads identified as landscape management corridors in the Comprehensive Plan and the County Zoning Map. The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to all areas within the boundaries of a State scenic waterway or Federal wild and scenic river corridor and all areas within 660 feet of rivers and streams otherwise identified a landscape management corridors in the comprehensive plan and the County Zoning Map. The distance specified above shall be measured horizontally from the center line of designated landscape management roadways or from the nearest ordinary high water mark of a designated landscape management river or stream. The limitation in this section shall not unduly restrict accepted agricultural practices. 2. Section 18.84.050. Use Limitations. A. Any new structure or substantial alteration of a structure requiring a building permit, or an agricultural structure, within an LM Zone shall obtain site plan approval in accordance with DCC 18.84 prior to construction. As used in DCC 18.84 substantial alteration consists of an alteration which exceeds 25 percent in the size or 25 percent of the assessed value of the structure. FINDING: Gist Road and Highway 20 are identified on the County Zoning Map as the landscape management features in the area. The subject property fall just outside of the Gist Road LM zoning. However, a majority of the property falls within the landscape management combining zone of Highway 20. The applicant is proposing a 3 -parcel land division with a single-family dwelling on each new parcel. All of Parcel 1 and a majority of Parcel 3 fall within the LM zone. Only a small portion (northeast corner) of Parcel 2 falls within the LM zone. Section 2 on page 2 of this County Waiver states that the "...current procedural regulations for land division and development applications and approval, including, but not limited to setbacks, access, height, and landscaping requirements shall be applied." Staff believes that the landscaping requirements include the LM zoning requirements. The purpose of the Landscape Management (LM) Combining zone is "to maintain scenic and natural resources of the designated areas and to maintain and enhance scenic vistas and natural landscapes as seen from designated roads, rivers or streams." Furthermore, the record does not suggest that these requirements result in a reduction in property value. Staff believes these requirements enhance property values. If this request is approved at the time an application for development of this property is submitted, MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 10 staff recommends that the applicant be required to apply for a Landscape Management review. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearings Officer. Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code, the Subdivision Ordinance In general, the County believes that the requirements of Title 17 are appropriate in such decisions related to land divisions based on Ballot Measure 37 waivers because there is no evidence to suggest that these requirements result in a reduction in property value. In addition, as described in section 17.04.020(A), the purpose of the Title 17 regulations is to "... promote the public health, safety and general welfare." Therefore, staff's opinion is that Title 17 may be exempt from Ballot Measure 37 (BM37). A. CHAPTER 17.22, APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE PLANS FOR PARTITIONS 1. Section 17.22.020. Requirements for approval. A. No application for partition shall be approved unless the following requirements are met: 1. Proposal is in compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 92, the applicable comprehensive plan and applicable zoning ordinance. A proposed partition is not in compliance with the zoning ordinance if it would conflict with the terms of a previously issued approval for a land use on the property or would otherwise create a nonconforming use on any of the newly described parcels with respect to an existing structure or use; FINDING: The proposed partition will be in compliance with ORS Chapter 92 if it is in conformance with applicable criteria of Title 17 and Title 18 of the County Code. The County waiver of land use regulations (Order No. 2006-046) allows the subject property to be divided into three parcels as shown on the tentative plan. The property is currently undeveloped and there is no previous land use approval with which the partition proposal would conflict or that would create a nonconforming use. Evidently, the proposal would be in compliance with the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance as a result of the waiver issued by the Board of County Commissioners. Staff is unclear as to whether approval of this partition, and the siting of the proposed dwellings on the resulting parcels, would result in a nonconforming use. 2. Proposal does not conflict with existing public access easements within or adjacent to the partition; FINDING: An October 10, 2005 Preliminary Title Report submitted with the application does not identify an easement within or adjacent to the partition. 3. The partition is accessed either by roads dedicated to the public or by way of United States Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads where applicant has submitted a written agreement with the appropriate land management agency providing for permanent legal access to the parcels and any required maintenance. This provision shall not be subject to variance; MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 11 FINDING: The applicant is proposing a three lot partition with a private road easement connecting to Harrington Loop Road. As indicated in the County Road Department's comments, the portion of Harrington Loop Road, from Highway 20 to Gist Road, has "no record of right-of-way dedication or establishment of right-of- way." Based on this information, staff recommends that the applicant dedicate "30 - feet of right-of-way from the section line along their property frontage for Harrington Loop Road." Continuing, the applicant indicates that the proposed private road easement branching off of Harrington Loop Road will have a road right-of-way width of 60 feet and will conform to County private road standards. There is no evidence in the record to indicate that the proposed road is intended to be publicly dedicated. However, the applicant proposes Parcels 1 and 3 will have dual access from Harrington Loop Road, a public road, and the private road and Parcel 2 will have access from the private road only. The above criterion requires partitions to be accessed by roads dedicated to the public or by way of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) roads. The applicant does not propose to use USFS or BLM roads and County records do not indicate the presence of such roads in the vicinity. Further, according to DCC 17.36.020, streets in subdivisions and partitions shall be dedicated to the public "unless located in a destination resort, planned community or planned or cluster development." The applicant does not propose a destination resort, planned community, planned or cluster developments as defined in DCC 18.040.030. For this reason, the County Road Department recommended that the applicant be required to dedicate the proposed private road. In County decision MP -07-3, the Hearings Officer found that the proposed land division would be prohibited because of the application of this requirement, thus reducing the property value. The Hearings Officer continues to state, "Adequate access contemplates both legal and physical access. In other words, if the applicant does not demonstrate there is legal access to the proposed partition parcels he also cannot demonstrate this access would be available to emergency vehicles." However, the Hearings Officer concludes that through documentation of a recorded vehicular access easement, adequate legal access to the partition parcels can be guaranteed. Based on these findings by the Hearings Officer, staff believes that the same would apply with this proposal. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearing's Officer. 4. An access permit can be obtained from either the County Public Works Department, the City Public Works Department or the State Highway Division; FINDING: Any new access to Harrington Loop Road will require an access permit. Based on the previous finding, staff finds that no permit is required for access off the proposed private road easement. Staff recommends it be made a condition of any approval that the applicant obtain an access permit for access taken from Harrington Loop Road. 5. Each parcel is suited for the use intended or offered, considering the size of the parcels, natural hazards, topography and access; FINDING: The intended use of the proposed parcels is residential. The parcel sizes are suitable to site a dwelling and meet the minimum yard setbacks. The property is relatively level and there are no topographic concerns or natural hazards for the MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 12 property. Access will be from Harrington Loop Road and a proposed private road as discussed above in this report. 6. All required utilities, public services and facilities are available and adequate and are proposed to be provided by the petitioner; FINDING: The applicant submitted the following information to demonstrate that public services and utilities are adequate: Electricity The applicant indicates that a letter will be obtained from the local electrical company indicating electric service will be provided. However, no letter has been submitted into the record. Staff solicited comments from Central Electric Cooperative and Pacific Power and Light. Pacific Power and Light did acknowledged the proposal and return comments stating "No comment." Road access. Access to the proposed parcels will be from Harrington Loop Road or by the proposed private road. As indicated in a foregoing finding of this report, staff recommends that the Hearings Officer confirm or deny the permission of a recorded vehicular access easement as adequate legal access to the partition parcels. Furthermore, staff believes that the applicant should be required to construct the private road easement to the standards set forth in DCC 17.48.180, Private Roads. Telephone. The record indicates that the properties will be served by Qwest Communications; however, no letter from Qwest has been submitted by the applicant. Staff solicited comments from Qwest but no response was received. Domestic water. The applicant indicates that each of the new parcels will be provided with individual wells and on-site septic systems. Fire protection. According to County records, the subject property is located in the Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District. Police protection. Deschutes County Sheriff. Based on these findings and the applicant's ability to conform to the conditions of approval specified above, staff believes the proposal can meet this criterion. 7. A water rights division plan, reviewed and approved by the appropriate irrigation district or the watermaster's office, if water rights are associated with the subject property; FINDING: The applicant states and County records confirm that there are no water rights associated with the subject property nor is the property within an irrigation district. Staff solicited comments from the watermaster's office but did not receive a response. 8. For partitions or portions thereof within one-half mile of SM zones, the applicant shows that a noise or dust sensitive use, as defined in Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, can be sited consistent with the requirements of chapter 78.56 of Title 18, as demonstrated by the site MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 13 plan and accompanying information required to be submitted under section 17.28.010(C) of this chapter. FINDING: The subject property is not within one-half mile of any SM zone. Therefore, this criterion does not apply. B. If the Planning Director determines that the proposed partition constitutes series partitioning, or if series partitioning has occurred in the past, then the Planning Director may refer the application to the hearings officer for a determination as to whether the application should be subject to the requirements of DCC 17.36.300, Public Water Supply System, and DCC 17.48.160, Road Development Requirements for Subdivisions. FINDING: The parent parcel was created in 1968 upon the purchase of the property by the applicants. At that time, there were no subdivision or minimum lot size regulations in place in the County. The proposed partition will be the first division since this time. Therefore, staff believes this land division proposal is not considered a series partition. 2. Section 17.22.030. Improvement requirements. In the approval of a land partition, the County shall consider the need for street and other improvements, and may require as a condition of approval any improvements that may be required for a subdivision under the provisions of DCC Title 17. All roads in partitions shall be dedicated to the public without reservation or restriction, except where private roads are allowed by the applicable zoning regulations, such as in planned or cluster developments. FINDING: The County Road Department requests that existing and proposed road facilities be located within a dedicated road right-of-way. The Road Department further indicates that the section of Harrington Loop Road adjacent to the subject property is not a dedicated or established road right-of-way; therefore, it is requested that the applicant dedicate "30 -feet of right-of-way from the section line along their property frontage for Harrington Loop Road." The property width is 660.76 feet and with a road depth of 30 feet this would equate to 19,823 square foot of road dedication for Harrington Loop Road. Based on the previous findings in this report, staff believes the proposed private road be considered as adequate legal access and be constructed to County road standards for private roads. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearing's Officer. B. CHAPTER 17.36, DESIGN STANDARDS 1. Section 17.36.020. Streets. A. The location, width and grade of streets shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, topographical conditions, public convenience and safety, and the proposed use of land to be served by the streets. The street system shall assure an adequate traffic circulation system for all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles, with intersection angles, grades, tangents and curves appropriate for the traffic to be carried, considering the terrain. The MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 14 subdivision or partition shall provide for the continuation of the principal streets existing in the adjoining subdivision or partition or of their property projection when adjoining property which is not subdivided, and such streets shall be of a width not less than the minimum requirements for streets set forth in DCC 17.36. C. Streets in partitions shall be dedicated to the public. FINDING: The applicant is proposing a three lot partition with a 60 -foot wide private road connecting to Harrington Loop Road. Further, the applicant indicates that the road will be constructed to County private road standards. Staff believes if the applicant meets these conditions, compliance with criterion 'A' above can be met. Moreover, as addressed in foregoing findings, staff recommends the Hearings Officer make it a condition of approval that the applicant dedicates to the public the existing and proposed road facilities. Further, staff recommends the applicant comply with road standards and specifications set forth in DCC 17.48. 2. Section 17.36.040. Existing Streets. Whenever existing streets, adjacent to or within a tract, are of inadequate width to accommodate the increase in traffic expected from the subdivision or partition or by the county roadway network plan, additional rights of way shall be provided at the time of the land division by the applicant. During consideration of the tentative plan for the subdivision or partition, the Planning Director or Hearings Body, together with the Public Works Director, shall determine whether improvements to existing streets adjacent to or within the tract, are required. If so determined, such improvements shall be required as a condition of approval for the tentative plan. Improvements to adjacent streets shall be required where traffic on such streets will be directly affected by the proposed subdivision or partition. FINDING: According to the Trio Generation2, the additional three (3) dwellings on the property will generate approximately 10 vehicle trips per day per dwelling which equates to 30 vehicle trips per day. Based on the County Road Department and the County Transportation Planner's e-mail response, the additional 30 trips per day will not burden Harrington Loop Road in that area. Staff recommends the Hearings Officer make it a condition of approval that the applicant dedicates to the public the existing road facilities of Harrington Loop Road. Based on this information, staff believes the proposed improvements would adequately accommodate the increased traffic. 3. Section 17.36.160. Easements. A. Utility Easements. Easements shall be provided along property lines when necessary for the placement of overhead or underground utilities, and to provide the subdivision or partition with electric power, communication facilities, street lighting, sewer lines, water lines, gas lines or drainage. 2 Institute of Transportation Engineers. (1997). Trip Generation 61i' Edition Volume 1 of 3. Washington DC: Institute of Transportation Engineers. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 15 Such easements shall be labeled "Public Utility Easement" on the tentative and final plat; they shall be at least 12 feet in width and centered on lot lines where possible, except utility pole guyline easements along the rear of lots or parcels adjacent to unsubdivided land may be reduced to 10 feet in width. FINDING: An October 10, 2005 Preliminary Title Report submitted with the application does not identify easements on the subject property. The submitted tentative plan illustrates a proposed utility easement together with the proposed private road easement. The applicant will need to verify with the utility companies whether any utility easements will be necessary for the partition, and all utility and vehicular access easements should be shown on the final mylar. 4. Section 17.36.170. Lots -Size and shape. The size, width and orientation of lots or parcels shall be appropriate for the location of the land division and for the type of development and use contemplated, and shall be consistent with the lot or parcel size provisions of Titles 18 through 21 of this code: A. In areas not to be served by a public sewer, minimum lot and parcel sizes shall permit compliance with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Quality and the County Sanitarian, and shall be sufficient to permit adequate sewage disposal. Any problems posed by soil structure and water table and related to sewage disposal by septic tank shall be addressed and resolved in the applicant's initial plan. FINDING: The submitted tentative plan illustrates the proposed partition will result in three parcels, rectangular in shape, and 5, 5, and 10 acres in size. County records show there is no septic system on-site. The County Environmental Health Division requests that each proposed parcel have an approved site evaluation prior to final approval. Staff recommends that the applicant obtain an on-site septic feasibility determination for each new parcel prior to final plat approval. According to National Wetlands Inventory, the subject property does not contain wetlands. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) map of the area shows one soil mapping unit found on the subject property. This mapping unit is 98A, Plainview Sandy Loam and is typically used for livestock grazing or irrigated cropland. The proposed residential development is not located in areas that are irrigated. Based on the waiver granted by the County, Staff believes the size, width, and orientation of the proposed parcels are consistent with the EFU zone and are appropriate for the location of the land division and the residential uses contemplated. 5. Section 17.36.180. Frontage. A. Each lot or parcel shall abut upon a public road for at least 50 feet, except for lots or parcels fronting on the bulb of a cul-de-sac, then the minimum frontage shall be 30 feet, and except for partitions off of U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads.... B. All side lot lines shall be at right angles to street lines or radial to curved streets wherever practical. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 16 FINDING: Based on the County Road Department's comments regarding Harrington Loop Road, each parcel created through the partition will not abut upon a public road. However, as discussed previously in this report, staff recommends that the applicant dedicate to the public the existing road facilities of Harrington Loop Road. Moreover, in County decision MP -07-3, the Hearings Officer found that not only did the County BM37 waiver invalidate the public road access requirement of Title 17 but also the public road frontage requirements. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearings Officer. 6. Section 17.36.210. Solar access performance. A. As much solar access as feasible shall be provided each lot or parcel in every new subdivision or partition, considering topography, development pattern and existing vegetation. The lot lines of lots or parcels, as far as feasible, shall be oriented to provide solar access at ground level at the southern building line two hours before and after the solar zenith from September 22nd to March 21st. If it is not feasible to provide solar access to the southern building line, then solar access, if feasible, shall be provided at 10 feet above ground level at the southern building line two hours before and after the solar zenith from September 22nd to March 21st, and three hours before and after the solar zenith from March 22nd to September 21st. FINDING: The proposed partition will create a two 5 -acre and one 10 -acre parcel, rectangular -shaped, and with north lot line orientation that would activate solar setback standards of Title 18. Staff believes these proposed parcels sizes are sufficient to provide adequate solar access for any structures built on these parcels. 7. Section 17.36.260. Fire Hazards Whenever possible, a minimum of two points of access to the subdivision or partition shall be provided to provide assured access for emergency vehicles and ease resident evacuation. FINDING: The proposed partition will have its primary access from Harrington Loop Road to the north. Through a proposed roadway, access to the proposed parcels will travel south from Harrington Loop Road to the parcels. Access to Harrington Loop Road can be taken from Gist Road to the west and Highway 20 to the east. Staff believes that the proposal satisfies this criterion. 8. Section 17.36.290. Individual wells. In any subdivision or partition where individual wells are proposed, the applicant shall provide documentation of the depth and quantity of potable water available from a minimum of two wells within one mile of the proposed land division. Notwithstanding section 17.36.300, individual wells for subdivisions are allowed when parcels are larger than 10 acres. FINDING: The applicant submitted a well log report for two nearby properties indicating the depth of the completed wells between 330 and 395 feet. Staff believes this criterion is satisfied. MP -07-29 - Stoltz Page 17 C. CHAPTER 17.44, PARK DEVELOPMENT FINDING: Deschutes County Code 17.44 addresses the dedication of land for parks, or the permission of paying a fee in lieu of a dedication. However, DCC 17.44 also exempts property from the parks development requirement if the subject property is within either the Central Oregon Park and Recreation District or the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District. The subject property is within the Central Oregon Park District's boundaries, and is thus exempt from the parks dedication or fee in lieu of dedication. D. CHAPTER 17.48, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 1. Section 17.48.160. Road development requirements — Standards. B. Improvements of Public Rights of Way. 1. The developer of a subdivision or partition will be required to improve all public ways that are adjacent or within the land development. FINDING: As addressed previously in this report, the County Road Department requests, and staff recommends, that existing and proposed road facilities be located within a dedicated road right-of-way. The section of Harrington Loop Road abutting the subject property to the north is not a dedicated or established road right-of-way. Thus, the Road Department requests that the applicant dedicate the "30 -feet of right- of-way from the section line along their property frontage for Harrington Loop Road." This area equates to approximately 19,823 square feet of road right-of-way to be dedicated to the public. Based on the previous findings in this report, staff believes the proposed private road be considered as adequate legal access and be constructed to County road standards for private roads. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearing's Officer. 2. Section 17.48.170. Road development requirements — Partitions. Roadway improvements within a partition and to a road maintained by a public agency shall be constructed prior to final approval of the partition, depending on the maximum parcel size as follows: B. For a parcel size of less than 10 acres, the road standards used shall be the same as for a subdivision. FINDING: The submitted tentative plan illustrates the proposed partition will result in three parcels, two being 5 acres and one being 10 acres in size. As indicated throughout this report, staff recommends the Hearings Officer make it a condition of approval that the applicant construct the proposed private road (easement) to the private road standards and specifications set forth in DCC 17.48.180. This should be confirmed or denied by the Hearings Officer. 3. Section 17.48.180. Private Roads. The following minimum road standards shall apply for private roads: MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 18 A. The minimum paved roadway width shall be 20 feet in planned unit developments and cluster developments with two -foot wide gravel shoulders; B. Minimum radius of curvature, 50 feet; C. Maximum grade, 12 percent; D. At least one road name sign will be provided at each Intersection for each road; E. A method for continuing road maintenance acceptable to the County; F. Private road systems shall include provisions for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. In cluster and planned developments limited to ten dwelling units, the bicycle and pedestrian traffic can be accommodated within the 20 -foot wide road. In other developments, shoulder bikeways shall be a minimum of four feet wide, paved and striped, with no on -street parking allowed within the bikeway, and when private roads are developed to a width of less than 28 feet, bike paths constructed to County standards shall be required. FINDING: The submitted tentative plan illustrates a private road easement with an approximate width of 60 feet. The applicant also indicates that the road easement will be constructed to County road standards. Staff recommends any approval be conditioned to this effect. V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Staff believes that the applicant's submittal meets the applicable requirements of Titles 17 and 18, and the following conditions should be included in any approval: A. Approval is based upon the submitted plan. Any substantial change to the approved plan will require a new application. B. Prior to final plat approval, the applicant/owner shall obtain septic site evaluation approval for Parcels 1, 2, and 3 from the County Environmental Health Division. C. The applicant/owner shall have a licensed land surveyor prepare a partition plat which conforms to Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 92 and Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code. The plat shall include the exact sizes for each parcel. D. The final plat shall include a statement of water rights. E. All ad valorem taxes, fees and other charges that have become a lien upon the entire parcel shall be paid. The final plat shall be signed by the County Assessor and County Treasurer. F. All easements of record shall be shown on the final plat. G. The applicant/owner shall execute and record with the Deschutes County Clerk required access road easement to create the private access for all three partition parcels. H. The design and construction of the private road shall be in accordance with Section 17.48.180 of the Deschutes County Code. MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 19 I. The applicant shall dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way from the section line along the subject property frontage for Harrington Loop Road (approximately 19,823 square feet of road right-of-way area). J. The applicant shall obtain access permits for any new access to Harrington Loop Road from the County Community Development Department prior to final plat review. K. Prior to final plat approval, the applicant shall obtain new addresses for each resulting parcel from the Deschutes County Property Address Coordinator. I. Prior to final plat approval, the applicant/owner shall sign and record a waiver, binding the landowner and the landowner's successors in interest, prohibiting them from pursuing a claim for relief or cause of action alleging injury from farming or forest practices for which not action or claim is allowed under ORS 30.396 or 30.397. J. A current Title Report shall be submitted with the final plat application. K. Building height of the proposed structures will be no more than 30 feet in height from grade. L. The applicant shall comply with the setback standards (front setback of 40 feet, rear setback of 25 feet, and side setback of 25 feet) of the EFU zone and the solar setback standards of DCC 18.116.180(B). M. Prior to issuance of the building permit for the dwelling, the applicant shall apply for and received approval of a Landscape Management site plan review for the dwelling. N. The applicant shall site and shield all exterior lighting, including security lighting, so that it is directed downward and is not directly visible from Highway 20. In addition, all exterior lighting must comply with the Deschutes County Covered Outdoor Lighting Ordinance per Sections 15.10 of Title 15 of the DCC. Dated this 1s` day of November, 2007 Mailed this 15' day of November, 2007 MP -07-29 — Stoltz Page 20 DECISION OF DESCHUTES COUNTY EHARINGS 0 FILE NUMBER: APPLICANTS/ PROPERTY OWNERS: REQUEST: STAFF REVIEWER: HEARING DATE/ RECORD CLOSED: MP -07-29 John and Charlene Stoltz 5680 Oregon Road Mt. Hood, Oregon 97041 6.t JAN 2008 NIntLED DESCHUTES 1V The applicants request approval of a minor ` `on to divide a 19.82 -acre parcel zoned EFU-TRB into three parcels, and to place a single-family dwelling on each new parcel. This application follows state and county waivers under Measure 37. Cynthia Smidt, Associate Planner November 13, 2007 I. APPLICABLE STANDARDS AND CRITERIA: A. Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, the Deschutes County Zoning Ordinance B. 1. Chapter 18.16, Exclusive Farm Use Zone * Section 18.16.030, Conditional Uses Permitted — High Value and Nonhigh Value Farmland * Section 18.16.050, Standards for Dwellings in the EFU Zones * Section 18.16.055, Land Divisions * Section 18.16.060, Dimensional Standards * Section 18.16.065, Subzones * Section 18.16.070, Yards 2. Chapter 18.84, Landscape Management Combing Zone * Section 18.84.020, Application of Provisions * Section 18.84.050, Use Limitations Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code, the Subdivision/Partition Ordinance 1. Chapter 17.22, Approval of Tentative Plans for Partitions * Section 17.22.020, Requirements for Approval * Section 17.22.030, Improvement Requirements . Chapter 17.36, Design Standards Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 1 of 33 * Section 17.36.020, Streets * Section 17.36.040, Existing Streets * Section 17.36.160, Easements * Section 17.36.170, Lots - Size and Shape * Section 17.36.180, Frontage * Section 17.36.210, Solar Access Performance * Section 17.36.260, Fire Hazards * Section 17.36.290, Individual Wells 4. Chapter 17.44, Park Development * Section 17.44.010, Dedication * Section 17.44.020, Fee in Lieu of Dedication 5. Chapter 17.48, Design and Construction Specifications * Section 17.48.160, Road Development Requirements — Standards * Section 17.48.170, Road Development Requirements — Partitions * Section 17.48.180, Private Roads II. FINDINGS OF FACT: A. Location: The subject property does not have an assigned address. It is identified as Tax Lot 901 on Deschutes County Assessor's map 15-11-31. B. Zoning and Plan Designation: The subject property is zoned Exclusive Farm Use- Tumalo/Bend/Redmond Subzone (EFU-TRB), and Landscape Management (LM) Combining Zone because of its proximity to Highway 20 and Gist Road. It is designated Agriculture on the Deschutes County Comprehensive Plan map. C. Site Description: The subject property is approximately 19.82 acres in size, rectangular in shape, relatively level and undeveloped. Vegetation consists of scattered juniper trees and a dense cover of native shrubs and grasses. The property has no irrigation water rights and is not located within the boundaries of an irrigation district. According to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Deschutes County and the National Wetlands Inventory, respectively, the subject property is not located within the 100 -year flood plain and contains no wetlands. D. Soils: According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) data in the record, the subject property is composed of the following soil type: Soil Unit 98A, Plainview sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes: This soil type consists of 85% Plainview soil and similar inclusions and 15% contrasting inclusions. The Plainview soils are well drained and have a moderately rapid permeability with an available water capacity of about 5 inches. The Plainview soils are rated IIIe with irrigation and VIe without irrigation, and are considered high value soils when irrigated. The major uses of this soil type are irrigated cropland and livestock grazing. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 2 of 33 E. Surrounding Zoning and Land Uses: Land to the west, east and south is zoned EFU- TRB and developed with small-scale farms and rural residences. Land to the north across Harrington Loop is zoned Multiple Use Agriculture (MUA-10) and is developed with rural residences. F. Procedural History: The subject application was submitted on August 6, 2007 and accepted by the county as complete on September 6, 2007. Therefore, the 150 -day period for issuance of a final local land use decision under ORS 215.477 expires on February 4, 2008. A public hearing on the application was held on November 13, 2007. At the hearing the Hearings Officer received testimony and evidence and closed the evidentiary record. The applicants waived their right to submit final argument pursuant to ORS 197.763 and therefore the record closed on November 13, 2007. As of the date of this decision there remain 28 days in the 150 -day period. G. Proposal: The applicants request approval to divide the 19.82 -acre subject property into three parcels and to place a single-family dwelling on each parcel. The parcels would be rectangular in shape and would have the following sizes: Parcels 1 and 2 would be approximately five acres in size and Parcel 3 will be approximately 10 acres in size. The applicants propose access to proposed Parcels 1 and 3 from Harrington Loop as well as from a proposed 60 -foot -wide private access easement running south from Harrington Loop down the center of the subject property to the southern property. Proposed Parcel 2 would have access only from the private access easement. The applicants propose an emergency vehicle turnaround at the southern terminus of the private access easement. The applicants propose domestic water for each lot from individual private on-site wells, and sewage disposal from individual on-site septic systems. H. Public/Private Agency Comments: The Planning Division sent notice of the applicants' proposal to a number of public and private agencies and received responses from: the Deschutes County Environmental Health Division, Road Department (road department), Property Address Coordinator, and Transportation Planner. These comments are set forth verbatim at pages 3-5 of the staff report. The following agencies did not respond to the notice or had no comments: the Deschutes County Assessor and Surveyor; the Cloverdale Rural Fire District (fire district); the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD); the Oregon Department of Water Resources, Watermaster- District 11; Cascade Natural Gas; Central Electric Cooperative; Pacific Power; and Qwest. Public Notice and Comments: The Planning Division mailed individual written notice of the applicants' proposal and the public hearing to the owners of record of all property located within 750 feet of the subject property. In addition, notice of the public hearing was published in the Bend "Bulletin" newspaper, and the subject property was posted with a notice of proposed land use action sign. As of the date the record in this matter closed, the county had received no public comments in response to these notices. No members of the public testified at the public hearing. J. Lot of Record: The staff report states the county recognizes the subject property as a legal lot of record having been created by a 1968 warranty deed prior to the effective date Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 3 of 33 of any partition requirements. K. Measure 37: The property owners received approval of a waiver of land use regulations from Deschutes County by Order No. 2006-046, signed by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners (board) on April 5, 2006 and recorded with the Deschutes County Clerk on April 7, 2006. This order provides in pertinent part: "Section 2. The Board hereby elects to not apply nonexempt County land use regulations, to the subject property described in Exhibit `B' in lieu of payment of just compensation under Ballot Measure 37. Claimants are hereby authorized to use the subject property as permitted at the time they acquired the. Claimants may apply for a use of the subject property consistent with the zoning and regulations in effect at the time they acquired the property. That land use shall be permitted if the subject property fully complies with all regulations in effect on March [15], 1968. The Community Development Director is hereby authorized to determine the effects that any other non-exempt regulations in effect on this date would have on Claimants ' proposed development differently than current non-exempt regulations. However, the current procedural regulations for land division and development applications and approval, including, but not limited to setbacks, access, height, and landscaping requirements shall be applied. " In addition, the property owners received approval of a waiver from the State of Oregon through a Final Order for Claim No. M124485, signed by the Director of DLCD and the Administrator of the State Services Division on September 11, 2006. The final order provides in pertinent part as follows: "1. In lieu of compensation under ORS 197.352, the State of Oregon will not apply the following laws to John and Charlene Stoltz's division of the 19.82 -acre property into eight parcels or to their development of a dwelling on each parcel: applicable provisions of Goal 3, ORS 215 and OAR 660, division 33. These land use regulations will not apply to the claimants only to the extent necessary to allow them to use the subject property for the use described in this report, and only to the extent that use was permitted when they acquired the property on March 15, 1968. 2. The action by the State of Oregon provides the state's authorization to the claimants to use the subject property for the use described in this report, subject to the standards in effect on March 15, 1968. 3. To the extent that any law, order, deed, agreement or other legally enforceable public or private requirement provides that the subject property may not be used without a permit, license or other form of authorization or consent, the order will not authorize the use of the Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 4 of 33 property unless the claimants first obtain that permit, license or other form of authorization or consent. Such requirement may include, but are not limited to: a building permit, land use decision, a "permit" as defined in ORS 215.402 or 227.160, other permits or authorizations from local, state or federal agencies and restrictions on the use of the subject property imposed by private parties. 4. Any use of the subject property by the claimants under the terms of the order will remain subject to the following laws: (a) those laws not specified in (1) above; (b) any laws enacted or enforced by a public entity other than the Commission or the department; and (c) those laws not subject to ORS 197.352 including, without limitation, those laws exempted under ORS 197.352(3). 5. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms and conditions, in order for the claimants to use the subject property, it may be necessary for them to obtain a decision under ORS 197.352 from a city and/or county and/or metropolitan service district that enforces land use regulations applicable to the property. Nothing in this order relieves the claimants from the necessity of obtaining a decision under ORS 197.352 from a local public entity that has jurisdiction to enforce a land use regulation applicable to a use of the subject property by the claimants." L. Measure 49: On November 6, 2007 the voters passed Ballot Measure 49. This measure modifies the compensation and land use regulation waiver provisions of Measure 37, and took effect on December 6, 2007. Measure 49's impact on the applicant's proposal is discussed in the findings below. III. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW: A. SUMMARY: The Hearings Officer has found I cannot approve the applicants' proposed three -lot partition or the establishment of dwellings on each of the new parcels because the applicants have not demonstrated they have adequate legal access to the subject property from Harrington Loop to either Gist Road or Highway 20. That is because the record indicates Harrington Loop between Highway 20 and Gist Road is not dedicated to the public, and the applicants have not demonstrated they have a legal right of access across Harrington Loop such as a recorded access easement. However, because I anticipate the applicants will appeal this decision to the board, I have included in this decision findings on all applicable partition and dwelling approval criteria to assist planning staff and the board. B. PRELIMINARY ISSUE: 1. Measure 49 Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 5 of 33 FINDINGS: a. Text of Measure. Measure 49 took effect on December 6, 2007. It modifies the provisions of Measure 37, codified in ORS 197.352, and provides in pertinent part as follows: Section 2. As used in this section and sections 3 and 5 to 22 of this 2007 Act: * * * (10) "High-value farmland" means: * :F (c) Land that is in an exclusive farm use zone or a mixed farm and forest zone and that on the date of adjournment sine die of the 2007 regular session of the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly is: * * * (B) Within the boundaries of a district, as defined in ORS 540.505; * * *. [1] Section 5. A claimant that filed a claim under ORS 197.352 on or before the date of adjournment sine die of the 2007 regular session of the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly is entitled to just compensation as provided in: (1) * * * (3) Section 6 or 7 of this 2007 Act, at the claimant's election, if the property described in the claim is located entirely outside any urban growth boundary and entirely outside the boundaries of any city; A waiver issued before the effective date of this 2007 Act to the extent that the claimant's use of the property complies with the waiver and the claimant has a common law vested right on the effective date of this 2007 Act to complete and continue the use described in the waiver. Section 6. (1) A claimant that filed a claim under ORS 197.352 on or before the date of adjournment sine die of the 2007 regular session of the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly is eligible for three home site approvals on the property if the requirements of this section and sections 8 and 11 of this 2007 Act are met. The procedure for obtaining home site approvals under this section is set forth in Section 8 of this Act. 1 ORS 540.505 defines "district" as "an irrigation district formed under ORS chapter 545." Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 6 of 33 (2) The number of lots, parcels or dwellings that may be approved for property under this section may not exceed the lesser of: (3) (a) The number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in a waiver issued by the state before the effective date of this 2007 Act, or, if a waiver was not issued, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in the claim filed with the state; or (b) Three, except that if there are existing dwellings on the property or the property contains more than one lot or parcel, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings that may be established is reduced so that the combined number of lots, parcels or dwellings, including existing lots, parcels or dwellings located on or contained within the property, does not exceed three. Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, a claimant that otherwise qualifies for relief under this section may establish at least one additional lot, parcel or dwelling on the property. In addition, if the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in a waiver issued by the state before the effective date of this 2007 Act or, if a waiver was not issued, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in the claim filed with the state is more than three, the claimant may amend the claim to reduce the number to no more than three by filing notice of the amendment with the form required by Section 8 of this 2007 Act. * (8) Except as provided in section 11 of this 2007 Act, if the Department of Land Conservation and Development has issued a final order with a specific number of home site approvals for property under this section, the claimant may seek other governmental authorizations required by law for the partition or subdivision of the property or for the development of any dwelling authorized, and a land use regulation enacted by the state or county that has the effect of prohibiting the partition or subdivision, or the dwelling, does not apply to the review of those authorizations. Section 7. (1) Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 7 of 33 A claimant that filed a claim under ORS 197.352 on or before the date of adjournment sine die of the 2007 regular session of the Seventy-fourth Legislative Assembly for property that is not high-value farmland or high- value forestland and that is not in a ground water restricted area is eligible for four to 10 home site approvals for the property if the requirements of this section and sections 8 and 11 of this 2007 Act are met. The procedure for obtaining home site approvals under this section is set forth in Section 8 of this 2007 Act. (2) The number of lots, parcels or dwellings that may be established on the property under this section may not exceed the lesser of: (3) * * * (a) The number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in a waiver issued by the state before the effective date of this 2007 Act or, if a waiver was not issued, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in the claim filed with the state; (b) 10, except that if there are existing dwellings on the property or the property contains more than one lot or parcel, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings that may be established is reduced, so that the combined number of lots, parcels or dwellings, including existing lots, parcels or dwellings located or contained within the property, does not exceed 10; or (c) The number of home site approvals with a total value that represents just compensation for the reduction in fair market value cause by the enactment of one or more land use regulations that were the basis for the claim, as set forth in subsection (6) of this section. If the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in a waiver issued by the state before the effective date of this 2007 Act or, if a waiver was not issued, the number of lots, parcels or dwellings described in the claim filed with the state is more than 10, the claimant may amend the claim to reduce the number to no more than 10 by filing notice of the amendment with the form required by section 8 of this 2007 Act. Section 8. (1) No later than 120 days after the effective date of this 2007 Act, the Department of Land Conservation and Development shall send notice to all the following claimants that filed a claim for property outside an urban growth boundary: * * * (b) A claimant whose claim was approved by the state before the effective date of this 2007 Act; * * * * * * (2) The notice required by subsection (1) of this section must: (a) Explain the claimant's options if the claimant wishes to subdivide, partition or establish a dwelling on the property under sections 5 to 22 Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 8 of 33 (3) * * * of this 2007 Act; (b) Identify any information that the claimant must file; and (c) Provide a form for the claimant's use. A claimant must choose whether to proceed under Section 6 or 7 of this 2007 Act by filing the form provided by the department within 90 days after the date the department mails the notice and form required under subsection (1) of this section. In addition, the claimant must file any information required in the notice. If the claimant fails to file the form within 90 days after the date the department mails the notice, the claimant is not entitled to relief under Section 6 or 7 of this 2007 Act. Section 11. (1) A subdivision or partition of property, or the establishment of a dwelling on property, authorized under sections 5 to 11 of this 2007 Act must comply with all applicable standards governing the siting or development of the dwelling, lot or parcel, including, but not limited to, the location, design, construction or size of the dwelling, lot or parcel. However, the standards must not be applied in a manner that has the effect of prohibiting the establishment of the dwelling, lot or parcel authorized under sections 5 to 11 of this 2007 Act unless the standards are reasonably necessary to avoid or abate a nuisance, to protect the public health or safety or to carry out federal law. * * * (3) (a) A city or county may approve the creation of a lot or parcel to contain a dwelling authorized under sections 5 to 11 of this 2007 Act. However, a new lot or parcel located in an exclusive farm use zone, a forest zone, or a mixed farm and forest zone may not exceed: (A) Two acres if the lot or parcel is located on high-value farmland, on high-value forestland or on land within a ground water restricted area; or (B) Five acres if the lot or parcel is not located on high-value farmland, on high-value forestland or on land within a ground water restricted area. (b) If the property is in an exclusive farm use zone, a forest zone or a mixed farm and forest zone, the new lots or parcels created must be clustered so as to maximize suitability of the remnant lot or parcel for Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 9 of 33 farm or forest use. b. Analysis. The applicants cannot develop the proposed partition unless and until they receive final partition plat approval from the county. As discussed in the findings below, the Hearings Officer has imposed conditions of approval requiring the applicants to complete several tasks before applying for final partition plat approval from the county. I find from the plain language of Sections 5 and 6 of Measure 49 that the measure applies to the applicants' proposed partition because the applicants filed a claim under Measure 37 prior to the adjournment of the 2007 Legislative Assembly. Under Section 5 of Measure 49, the applicants are entitled to: 1. receive just compensation and/or a waiver of land use regulations under Section 6 of Measure 49 (for property outside an urban growth boundary); 2. use the waiver issued to them before the effective date of Measure 49 to the extent the use of their property "complies with the waiver and the claimant has a common law vested right" to "complete and continue the use described in the waiver" as of the effective date of Measure 49; or 3. develop the specific number of home sites approved in the state -issued waiver as long as the lots are no larger in size than 2 acres (high-value farmland) or 5 acres (non high-value farmland) and are clustered. As set forth in the Findings of Fact above, the applicants received a state waiver under Measure 37 that expressly approved "division of the 19.82 -acre property into eight parcels * * * [and] development of a dwelling on each parcel." The Hearings Officer finds the subject property does not constitute "high-value farmland" as defined by Measure 49 because it is not located within the boundaries of an irrigation district and does not have irrigation water rights. Therefore the applicants are not prohibited under Measure 49 from developing parcels larger than 2 acres in size. However I find it is not clear whether the applicants can demonstrate they have a "vested" right to develop the three proposed parcels or three new dwellings since they had not obtained tentative partition plat approval on the date Measure 49 took effect. In any case, under Section 8 of Measure 49, DLCD must issue the applicants a notice explaining their options under the measure, and the applicants must file the required DLCD form to exercise their rights under Measure 49. For these reasons, I find the tentative partition plan and dwelling approvals granted by this decision do not guarantee that the applicants will be able to obtain final partition plat approval and dwelling approval from the county. C. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS UNDER MEASURE 37 WAIVER FINDINGS: Both the state and county found the applicants purchased the subject property on March 15, 1968, and granted the applicants' requests for a waiver of those non-exempt land use regulations adopted after that date that resulted in a reduction of the subject property's value. Therefore, the Hearings Officer finds the threshold questions following the Measure 37 waivers are: Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 10 of 33 1. what land use regulations were in effect as of March 15, 1968; 2. what, if any, current non-exempt and exempt land use regulations apply to the applicants' proposal; 3. does the applicants' proposal comply with the regulations identified as applicable on March 15, 1968; and 4. does the applicants' proposal comply with the current exempt and non-exempt regulations identified as applicable? These questions are addressed in the findings below. 1. What Land Use Regulations Were In Effect as of March 15, 1968? FINDINGS: The record indicates that as of March 15, 1968 there were no land use regulations in effect in Deschutes County. However, the 1967 version of ORS Chapter 92 was in effect. 2. What If Any Current Non-exempt and Exempt Land Use Regulations Apply to the Applicants' Proposal? FINDINGS: In its decision in Arnett (TP -06-977, MA -06-21), the board held the provisions of Titles 17 and 18 of the Deschutes County Code, the county's current subdivision/partition and zoning ordinances, respectively, applied to the applicant's proposal in that case to the extent application of those provisions did not result in a reduction in the value of the property. The Hearings Officer adheres to that holding here. As discussed in the findings below, I have found that with few exceptions the provisions of Title 18 governing development of EFU-zoned land do not apply to the proposed partition because they would reduce the value of the subject property and therefore were waived by the county's Measure 37 order. However, I find the provisions of Title 17 do apply to the proposed partition because either they do not reduce the subject property's value or they are exempt from Measure 37 because they address public health and safety. Compliance with the applicable provisions of Titles 17 and 18 is discussed in the findings below. 3. Does the Applicants' Proposal Comply with the Regulations Identified as Applicable on March 15, 1968? FINDINGS: The record does not include a copy of the provisions of ORS Chapter 92 in effect on March 15, 1968 when the applicants purchased the property. However, in its Arnett decision the board concluded that given the subject matter covered by the current provisions of ORS Chapter 92 it is unlikely the version in effect in March of 1968 included any provisions either establishing minimum lot sizes or prohibiting partitioning of the subject property. The Hearings Officer adheres to that analysis here. 4. Does the Applicants' Proposal Comply with the Current Exempt and Non-exempt Regulations Identified as Applicable? Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 11 of 33 FINDINGS: The proposed partition's compliance with applicable current state and county land use regulations is discussed in detail in the findings below. C. Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, the Deschutes County Zoning Ordinance 1. Chapter 18.16, Exclusive Farm Use Zones a. Section 18.16.025, Uses Permitted Subject to the Special Provisions Under DCC 18.16.038 A. Dwellings customarily provided in conjunction with farm use (farm -related dwellings). b. Section 18.16.030, Conditional Uses Permitted — High Value and Nonhigh Value Farmland The following uses may be allowed in the Exclusive Farm Use zones on either high value or nonhigh value farmland subject to applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Plan, DCC 18.16.040 and 18.16.050, and other applicable sections of DCC Title 18. A. Nonfarm dwelling and accessory uses thereto. B. Lot of record dwelling. FINDINGS: As discussed above, there were no state or county zoning or partition regulations in effect when the applicants purchased the subject property in March of 1968. Consequently, the Hearings Officer finds dwellings on the proposed partition parcels would not be considered farm, nonfarm or lot -of -record dwellings, and therefore they would not require conditional use permits. c. Section 18.16.050, Standards for Dwellings in the EFU Zones Dwellings listed in DCC 18.16.025 and 18.16.030 may be allowed under the conditions set forth below for each kind of dwelling, and all dwellings are subject to the landowner for the property upon which the dwelling is placed, signing and recording in the deed records for the County, a document binding the landowner, and the landowner's successors in interest, prohibiting them from pursuing a claim for relief or cause of action alleging injury from farming or forest practices for which no action or claim is allowed under ORS 93.396 or 30.397. FINDINGS: In several previous decisions (e.g., Stills, MP -05-21), the county's hearings officers have held that in the absence of evidence in the record that signing and recording the waiver document required by this section would result in the reduction of property value this requirement was not waived by the county's Measure 37 waiver order. The Hearings Officer adheres to these holdings here. As discussed in the findings below, I have found the applicants have not demonstrated there is adequate legal access to the subject property, and therefore I Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 12 of 33 cannot approve the proposed partition or dwellings. However, because I anticipate this decision will be appealed to the board, I have included findings on all applicable partition and dwelling approval criteria to assist planning staff and the board. I find that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to execute and record a waiver document as described in this section. b. Section 18.16.055, Land Divisions c. Section 18.16.065, Subzones FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds the provisions of these sections, which establish minimum lot sizes for each EFU subzone, are not applicable to the applicants' proposal because they would prevent the applicants from partitioning their property and thereby would reduce the value of the property, and therefore were waived by the county's Measure 37 waiver order. d. Section 18.16.060, Dimensional Standards * * * E. Building height. No building or structure shall be erected or enlarged to exceed 30 feet in height, except as allowed under DCC 18.120.040. FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds the dimensional (lot size) standards in this section were waived by the county's Measure 37 waiver order, but that the 30 -foot height limit is applicable to the proposed dwellings because this limitation would not reduce the value of the subject property. Therefore, I find that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to comply with this height limit, with compliance with this requirement verified at the time of building permit issuance. e. Section 18.16.070, Yards A. The front yard shall be 40 feet from a property line fronting on a local street, 60 feet from a property line fronting on a collector and 100 feet from a property line fronting on an arterial. B. Each side yard shall be a minimum of 25 feet, except that for nonfarm dwelling proposed on parcels or lots with side yards adjacent to a property currently employed in farm use, the side yard shall be a minimum of 100 feet. C. Rear yards shall be a minimum of 25 feet, except that for nonfarm dwellings proposed on parcels or lots with rear yards adjacent to a property currently employed in farm use, the rear yard shall be a minimum of 100 feet. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 13 of 33 D. In addition to the setbacks set forth herein, any greater setbacks required by applicable building or structural !codes adopted by the State of Oregon and/or the County under DCC 15.04 shall be met. FINDINGS: As set forth in the findings above, the county's Measure 37 waiver order states "the current procedural regulations for land division and development applications and approval, including, but not limited to setbacks, access, height, and landscaping requirements shall be applied. Therefore, the Hearings Officer finds the EFU Zone minimum setbacks were not waived. I further find the proposed partition parcels will be large enough to assure single-family dwellings can be built that will meet these minimum EFU Zone setbacks. I find that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring that the proposed dwellings on the partition parcels satisfy the minimum setbacks in this section, and that compliance with these standards — along with the 30 -foot height limitation -- be verified at the time of building permit issuance. For the foregoing reasons, the Hearings Officer finds that the applicants' proposed dwellings satisfy, or with imposition of the conditions of approval described above will satisfy, all applicable current EFU Zone provisions that were not waived by the state and county. 2. Chapter 18.84, Landscape Management Combining Zone a. Section 18.84.020, Application of Provisions The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all areas within one- fourth mile of roads identified as landscape management corridors in the Comprehensive Plan and the County Zoning Map. The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to all areas within the boundaries of a State scenic waterway or Federal wild and scenic river corridor and all areas within 660 feet of rivers and streams otherwise identified a landscape management corridors in the comprehensive plan and the County Zoning Map. The distance specified above shall be measured horizontally from the center line of designated landscape management roadways or from the nearest ordinary high water mark of a designated landscape management river or stream. The limitation in this section shall not unduly restrict accepted agricultural practices. b. Section 18.84.050, Use Limitations A. Any new structure or substantial alteration of a structure requiring a building permit, or an agricultural structure, within an LM Zone shall obtain site plan approval in accordance with DCC 18.84 prior to construction. As used in DCC 18.84 substantial alteration consists of an alteration which exceeds 25 percent in the size or 25 percent of the assessed value of the structure. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 14 of 33 FINDINGS: Both Gist Road and Highway 20 are identified as LM corridors. The record indicates the subject property is located outside the Gist Road LM corridor, but the majority of the property — including all of Parcel 1 and most of Parcel 3 — is located within the Highway 20 LM corridor. As set forth above, Section 2 of the county's Measure 37 waiver order states "landscaping requirements shall be applied." The staff report states this language should be read to include the provisions of the LM Zone because the purpose of the zone is "to maintain scenic and natural resources of the designated areas and to maintain and enhance scenic vistas and natural landscapes as seen from designated roads, rivers or streams." In addition, staff argues there is no basis in this record from which to conclude application of the LM Zone provisions would reduce the value of the subject property. For these reasons staff asserts the proposed dwellings should be subject to LM site plan review prior to issuance of building permits. The Hearings Officer concurs with staff that the LM Zone applies to the proposed dwellings if ultimately they are sited within the Highway 20 LM corridor. Therefore, I fmd that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring that prior to issuance of a building permit for a dwelling on any of the partition parcels the applicants or their successors in interest either demonstrate that the dwelling will be located outside the boundaries of the LM Zone, or that if the dwelling would be located within the LM Zone boundaries the applicants or their successors must apply for and obtain LM site plan approval for the dwelling(s) located within the LM Zone. D. Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code, the Subdivision/Partition Ordinance 1. Chapter 17.22, Approval of Tentative Plans for Partitions a. Section 17.22.020, Requirements for Approval A. No application for partition shall be approved unless the following requirements are met: 1. Proposal is in compliance with Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 92, the applicable comprehensive plan and applicable zoning ordinance. A proposed partition is not in compliance with the zoning ordinance if it would conflict with the terms of a previously issued approval for a land use on the property or would otherwise create a nonconforming use on any of the newly described parcels with respect to an existing structure or use; FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds ORS Chapter 92 is implemented through Title 17, and therefore if the proposed partition complies with Title 17 it also will comply with ORS Chapter 2 Only a small portion of Parcel 2 near its northeast corner is located within the Highway 20 LM corridor. The applicants or their successors in interest may be able to demonstrate that the dwelling sites on Parcels 2 and/or 3 fall outside the Highway 20 LM corridor, and/or that one or more of the dwellings on the three partition parcels would not be visible from Highway 20 and therefore would be subject to the "non- visible" LM site plan review standards. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 15 of 33 92. I further find approval of the proposed partition would not conflict with the terms of any previous land use approval or create a nonconforming use inasmuch as the county has issued a waiver under Measure 37 allowing the subject property to be divided into three parcels with dwellings established on each of the new parcels. 2. Proposal does not conflict with existing public access easements within or adjacent to the partition; FINDINGS: The applicants' October 10, 2005 preliminary title report does not show any public access easements on the subject property with which the proposed partition would conflict. The Hearings Officer finds that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval that they provide a current preliminary title report prior to submitting the final partition plat for approval. 3. The partition is accessed either by roads dedicated to the public or by way of United States Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads where applicant has submitted a written agreement with the appropriate land management agency providing for permanent legal access to the parcels and any required maintenance. This provision shall not be subject to variance; FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, proposed partition Parcels 1 and 3 would have access from both a 60 -foot -wide private access easement and from Harrington Loop. Proposed Parcel 2 would have access only from the private access easement. In his August 21, 2007 comments on the applicants' proposal, County Engineer George Kolb stated in pertinent part: • Harrington Loop Road is a County Road with a paved surface from Gist Road to Peterson Ridge Road and is maintained by Deschutes County. This portion of Harrington Loop was legalized by the County in 2006. • The portion of Harrington Loop from Highway 20 to Gist Road is a gravel road that is maintained by Deschutes County on a limited basis. There is no record of right-of-way dedication or establishment of right-of-way on this portion of Harrington Loop therefore the applicant will be required to dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way from the section along their property frontage. • The applicant is to meet the following conditions if this land use application is approved: 1. All easements of record or existing rights -of -ways shall be noted on the final mylar. 2. The applicant shall dedicate 30 feet of right-of-way from the section line along their property frontage for Harrington Loop Road. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 16 of 33 3. The surveyor or engineer submitting the plat shall submit information showing the location of the existing road in relationship to the road right- of-way, on behalf of the applicant to the County Road Department. This information can be submitted on a worksheet and does not necessarily have to be on the final plat. All existing road facilities and new road improvements are to be located within legally established or dedicated right-of-ways. In no case shall a road improvement be located outside of a dedicated road right-of-way. If research reveals that inadequate right-of- way exists or that the existing roadway is outside of the legally established or dedicated right-of-way, additional right-of-way will be dedicated as directed by the Deschutes County Road Department to meet current County standards. "(Emphasis added.) The Hearings Officer finds the above -underscored language in Mr. Kolb's comments is ambiguous. The underscored language in the second paragraph states there is no evidence of right-of-way dedication or establishment "on this portion" of Harrington Loop, but does not clarify whether "this portion" refers to the entire road segment from Highway 20 to Gist Road, or only to the road segment abutting the subject property. Adding to this ambiguity are Mr. Kolb's statements that the county maintains the segment of Harrington Loop from Highway 20 to Gist Road — suggesting the county considers this segment of Harrington Loop to be dedicated -- but that the applicants should be required to dedicate right-of-way "from the section line along their property frontage." The record indicates the closest section line is the western boundary of Section 31 adjacent to Gist Road and approximately 1,200 feet west of the subject property's western boundary. In addition, in his October 24, 2007 comments on the applicants' proposal, Mr. Kolb stated in pertinent part: "One thing I did overlook is that they are accessing one of the parcels on an easement versus a public right-of-way. If I remember the code right, Parcel No. 2 will either have to be a flag lot or the 60 foot road and utility easement will have to be dedicated and built to the standards for a partition. " This statement also could be read to suggest the segment of Harrington Loop between Highway 20 and Gist Road is a dedicated public right-of-way. At the public hearing, the applicants agreed to include on the partition plat a 30 -foot -wide dedication for Harrington Loop along the subject property's northern boundary. However, the Hearings Officer finds I lack authority to require the applicants to dedicate the additional right- of-way from their western property boundary to Gist Road since they don't own the intervening property. And I find Mr. Kolb's comments reasonably can be read to suggest there is not any dedicated road access to the subject property. In the Hearings Officer previous decision in Hopp (MP -07-3), cited in the staff report, I held that applicant would not be required to satisfy the dedicated public road access requirement in this section because the only access from a public road to the property at issue in that case consisted of an existing private access easement across property not owned by the applicant, and therefore the applicant could not dedicate it. I noted that the applicant believed he had a prescriptive right to use this easement. I further noted that, like the Measure 37 waiver order in this case, Hopp's county waiver order stated in pertinent part: Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 17 of 33 "However, the current procedural regulations for land division and development applications and approval, including, but not limited to setbacks, access, height, and landscaping requirements shall be applied. " (Emphasis added.) In the Hearings Officer's previous decision in Hurtley (TP -06-974), which involved an application for a subdivision on EFU-zoned land, I made the following findings concerning the application of identical waiver language to minimum setbacks for dwellings: "Opponents argue the above -underscored language means the applicant's proposed subdivision must satisfy all minimum setbacks established in Section 18.16.70 for all lots including the 100 foot setbacks from parcels engaged in farm use, and because it does not do so it cannot be approved. The applicant responds that the county's waiver order cannot be read to require compliance with the EFU Zone setbacks in section 18.16.70 because: (1) the above -quoted language was intended to require compliance with current procedural regulations and setbacks are not procedural; ' * * *; and (4) in any case if the Hearings Officer were to require compliance with the 100 foot setback it would render at least two proposed subdivision lots unbuildable, which would be inconsistent with the intent of the county's waiver order and would give rise to another Measure 37 claim. The Hearings Officer concurs with the applicant's analysis. The above -quoted waiver language is ambiguous on its face because it describes as 'procedural' the characteristics of a use that are clearly `substantive' — i.e., `setbacks, access, height and landscaping requirements. ' I find that in the context of the county's entire waiver order, this language cannot reasonably be read to require compliance with setbacks that would reduce the value of the applicant's property and that do not address public health or safety considerations. While the 100 foot setbacks may have a public health and safety component by providing separation between dwellings and farm activities such as spraying of herbicides and pesticides, there is no evidence in this record that such activities are occurring on abutting parcels engaged in farm use. * * *. " (Emphasis in original.) In the Hearings Officer's decision in Hopp, I adhered to my analysis in Hurtley, and held: "The county's waiver order also effectively waived application of the public road access requirement in this section to the applicant's proposed partition because application of this requirement would preclude the proposed partition, thereby reducing the value of the subject property. However, I find public health and safety considerations clearly are implicated where, as here, the record indicates a portion of the proposed private access drive serving the partition is not located within its recorded easement. That is because, as I have held in several previous partition decisions, adequate access contemplates both legal and physical access. In other words, if the applicant does not demonstrate there is legal access to the proposed partition parcels he also cannot demonstrate this access would be available to emergency vehicles ". Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 18 of 33 I went on to find in Hopp that legal access to the partition parcels could be assured through the measures recommended by the applicant including acquiring and recording an access easement for the portion of the access drive not located within the recorded easement, and therefore recommended that if the board approved Hopp's partition on appeal it should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicant to either provide the county with documentation of a recorded easement where the current access road exists or relocate the road onto the existing easement. The Hearings Officer finds the question presented by the applicants' proposed partition in this case is whether application of the dedicated public road access requirement would preclude partitioning the subject property, and if so, whether considerations of public health and safety nevertheless would require that the proposed partition be denied due to the lack of public road access. If the segment of Harrington Loop between Highway 20 and Gist Road in fact is not dedicated to the public — and the record strongly suggests it is not — and because the applicants cannot dedicate segments of Harrington Loop located outside their property, enforcement of the dedicated public road access requirement in this section would preclude partitioning the subject property and thereby reduce its value. However, because for reasons of public health and safety the applicants must demonstrate they have both adequate legal and physical access to the subject property, the lack of evidence that Harrington Loop is a dedicated public road or that the applicants have another form of legal access to their property across Harrington Loop — such as a recorded access easement — means they have not demonstrated they have adequate legal access. On appeal to the board the applicants may be able to submit additional evidence of dedication of Harrington Loop or other legal right of access to the subject property from either Highway 20 or Gist Road via Harrington Loop.3 However, in the absence of adequate evidence in this record showing such a right of access, the Hearings Officer finds the applicant's proposal does not satisfy the requirements of this section, and this requirement was not waived by the county's Measure 37 waiver order because it clearly addresses public health and safety — i.e., adequate access to the proposed partition parcels and dwellings. With respect to the proposed private access easement, the applicants' burden of proof states this easement would be 60 feet wide and would be improved to the county's standards for private roads. The Hearings Officer finds the proposed private access easement also does not satisfy the requirements of this subsection. As discussed above, in previous post -Measure 37 partition decisions I have held I can approve a partition with access from a private road if the proposed partition would be prohibited because of this requirement, therefore reducing the value of the subject property. However, I find application of the dedicated public road requirement to the applicants' proposed private access drive would not prohibit partitioning the subject property into three parcels. That is because the partition could be configured so that each parcel would have direct access to Harrington Loop -- e.g., using a "flag lot" configuration for Parcel 2. And 3 For example, in Sporalsky (MP -07-11), the Hearings Officer denied a proposed partition on the basis that the applicants had not demonstrated legal access to the subject property via Chaney Road, a roadway comprised of recorded access easements and a county -owned parcel over which no easement had been granted by the county or recorded. On appeal to the board, the applicants submitted evidence of acquisition of the county -owned property that created legal access across the entire segment of Chaney Road and thereby allowed the board to approve the partition. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 19 of 33 for the reasons set forth in the findings above, I find application of the dedicated public road requirement was not waived by the county's Measure 37 waiver order because it clearly addresses public health and safety. For the foregoing reasons, the Hearings Officer finds I cannot approve the proposed partition as configured and without proof of legal access from Harrington Loop to either Highway 20 or Gist Road. However, because I anticipate this decision will be appealed to the board, I have included in this decision findings on all applicable partition and dwelling approval criteria to assist planning staff and the board in the event of an appeal. 4. An access permit can be obtained from either the County Public Works Department, the City Public Works Department or the State Highway Division; FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds that if the applicants' proposal is approved by the board on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants prior to submitting the final partition plat for approval to obtain from the Deschutes County Community Development Department access permits for any new parcels taking access from Harrington Loop. 5. Each parcel is suited for the use intended or offered, considering the size of the parcels, natural hazards, topography and access; FINDINGS: The intended use of the proposed new parcels is residential. The Hearings Officer finds the proposed parcel sizes are suitable for the siting of single-family dwellings meeting the applicable minimum setbacks. The subject property has generally level terrain and no obvious natural hazards. Assuming legal access to the three proposed partition parcels from Harrington Loop to either Highway 20 or Gist Road can be demonstrated by the applicants, access will be provided from Harrington Loop. 6. All required utilities, public services and facilities are available and adequate and are proposed to be provided by the petitioner; FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds all required public facilities and services are available to the proposed partition parcels, as follows: 1. Domestic Water. The applicants propose to provide water to each partition parcel from individual on-site wells, and have submitted copies of well logs showing water is available in the area of the subject property at depths between 275 and 300 feet. 2. Sewage Disposal. The applicants propose to provide sewage disposal through individual on- site septic systems. If the applicants' proposal is approved by the board on appeal, the Hearings Officer finds such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to obtain approved septic site evaluations for all three parcels. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 20 of 33 3. Fire Protection. The subject property is located within the boundaries of the Cloverdale Rural Fire District. The fire district did not comment on the applicants' proposal. As discussed in the findings above, the applicants have proposed to provide an emergency vehicle turnaround at the southern terminus of the private access road providing access to proposed Parcel 2. The Hearings Officer finds that if the applicants' proposal is approved by the board on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring that prior to submitting the final partition plat for approval the applicants provide to the Planning Division written documentation from the fire district that Harrington Loop will have adequate width and surface improvements to provide access for emergency vehicles. 4. Police Protection. Police protection will be provided by the Deschutes County Sheriff. 5. Transportation Facilities. The applicants propose access to Parcels 1 and 3 from both Harrington Loop and the proposed private access road, and access to Parcel 2 only from the private road. As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found this proposed parcel configuration and access do not satisfy the requirement of Title 17 that access be from a road dedicated to the public. I am aware that the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual predicts each single-family dwelling will generate approximately 10 average daily vehicle trips (ADTs). In his October 24, 2007 comments on the applicants' proposal, the county's transportation planner Peter Russell stated: "On a traffic analysis standpoint, this won't be a burden on Harrington Loop Road I'm not wild about the Harrington Loop/20 intersection, which is likely where the bulk of those 30 trips would end up, but the trip rate falls below what our traffic requirements would need to trigger a traffic study." In his October 24, 2007 comments on the applicants' proposal, George Kolb stated in pertinent part: "I don't think it [the applicants' proposal] will burden that portion of Harrington Loop." Based on Mr. Russell's and Mr. Kolb's comments, the Hearings Officer finds that if the applicants can resolve the issue of adequate legal access to the subject property and to the proposed partition parcels, the affected transportation facilities will be adequate to handle the minimal additional traffic that would be generated by dwellings on the three new parcels. 6. Electricity. The record indicates electricity is provided to the area surrounding the subject property by Central Electric Cooperative. Although this utility did not comment on the applicants' proposal, the Hearings Officer finds the presence of other dwellings in the area indicates electricity will be available to new dwellings on the proposed new parcels. 7. Telephone. The applicants' burden of proof states telephone service is provided in the area surrounding the subject property by Qwest. This utility also did not comment on the applicants' proposal. However, the staff report states, and the Hearings Officer agrees, that the presence of other dwellings in the area surrounding the subject property indicates telephone service will be available to dwellings on the proposed new parcels. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 21 of 33 For the foregoing reasons, the Hearings Officer finds that if the applicants can resolve the issue of adequate legal access to the subject property and to the proposed partition parcels, the proposed partition will satisfy this criterion. 7. A water rights division plan, reviewed and approved by the appropriate irrigation district or the Watermaster's office, if water rights are associated with the subject property; FINDINGS: The record indicates the subject property is not located within the boundaries of an irrigation district and has no irrigation water rights. Therefore, the Hearings Officer finds this criterion is not applicable. 8. For partitions or portions thereof within one-half mile of SM zones, the applicant shows that a noise or dust sensitive use, as defined in Title 18 of the Deschutes County Code, can be sited consistent with the requirements of chapter 18.56 of Title 18, as demonstrated by the site plan and accompanying information required to be submitted under section 17.28.010(C) of this chapter. FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds this criterion is not applicable because the subject property is not located within one-half mile of any SM zone. B. If the Planning Director determines that the proposed partition constitutes series partitioning, or if series partitioning has occurred in the past, then the Planning Director may refer the application to the hearings officer for a determination as to whether the application should be subject to the requirements of DCC 17.36.300, Public Water Supply System, and DCC 17.48.160, Road Development Requirements for Subdivisions. FINDINGS: "Series partition" is defined in Section 17.08.030 as "a series of partitions of land resulting in the creation of four or more parcels over a period of more than one calendar year." The Hearings Officer finds the proposed partition does not constitute a series partition because as discussed in the Findings of Fact above, the subject property was created by a 1968 deed, and there is no evidence in the record of any partitions involving the subject property since that date. b. Section 17.22.030, Improvement Requirements In the approval of a land partition, the County shall consider the need for street and other improvements, and may require as a condition of approval any improvements that may be required for a subdivision under the provisions of DCC Title 17. All roads in partitions shall be dedicated to the public without reservation or restriction, except where private roads are allowed by the applicable zoning regulations, such as in planned or cluster developments. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 22 of 33 FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the evidence in this record concerning the legal status of access to the subject property from Harrington Loop is not sufficient from which I can find the proposed partition parcels and dwellings will have access from a dedicated public right-of-way. The applicants have proposed to dedicate 30 feet of right- of-way for Harrington Loop along their northern property boundary. However, it is unclear from this record whether such dedication would assure a dedicated road right-of-way beyond the property's boundaries to Gist Road, the nearest dedicated public road. For these reasons, I have found I cannot approve the proposed partition. In addition, as discussed in the findings above, I have found the applicants' proposed private access easement that would provide access to all three parcels, and the only access to Parcel 2, would not meet the requirement that the partition parcels have access to a dedicated public right-of-way. In addition, I find access from a private road is not permitted under this section because the applicants are not proposing a planned or cluster development. Therefore, I find the applicants' proposal does not satisfy this criterion. 2. Chapter 17.36, Design Standards a. Section 17.36.020, Streets A. The location, width and grade of streets shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, topographical conditions, public convenience and safety, and the proposed use of land to be served by the streets. The street system shall assure an adequate traffic circulation system for all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles, with intersection angles, grades, tangents and curves appropriate for the traffic to be carried, considering the terrain. The subdivision or partition shall provide for the continuation of the principal streets existing in the adjoining subdivision or partition or of their property projection when adjoining property which is not subdivided, and such streets shall be of a width not less than the minimum requirements for streets set forth in DCC 17.36. C. Streets in partitions shall be dedicated to the public. FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the applicants' proposal does not comply with the requirement that access to the partition parcels be from a dedicated public road because the evidence is not sufficient to demonstrate the segment of Harrington Loop from the subject property to either Highway 20 or Gist Road is dedicated to the public, and the proposed private access road would not be dedicated to the public. For these same reasons, I find the applicants' proposal also does not satisfy the requirement of this section that partition streets be dedicated to the public. b. Section 17.36.040, Existing Streets Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 23 of 33 Whenever existing streets, adjacent to or within a tract, are of inadequate width to accommodate the increase in traffic expected from the subdivision or partition or by the county roadway network plan, additional rights of way shall be provided at the time of the land division by the applicant. During consideration of the tentative plan for the subdivision or partition, the Planning Director or Hearings Body, together with the Public Works Director, shall determine whether improvements to existing streets adjacent to or within the tract, are required. If so determined, such improvements shall be required as a condition of approval for the tentative plan. Improvements to adjacent streets shall be required where traffic on such streets will be directly affected by the proposed subdivision or partition. c. Section 17.36.060, Minimum Right of Way and Roadway Width The street right of way and roadway surfacing widths shall be in conformance with standards and specifications set forth in DCC 17.48. Where DCC 17.48 refers to street standards found in a zoning ordinance, the standards in the zoning ordinance shall prevail. FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the evidence in this record is not sufficient to demonstrate the segment of Harrington Loop between the subject property and either Highway 20 or Gist Road is dedicated to the public. I also have found the proposed private access road within the partition does not satisfy the requirements of Title 17 that access to the proposed partition parcels be from a dedicated public road. I also find the evidence in this record is not sufficient to show the width and improvements to the segment of Harrington Loop between Highway 20 and Gist Road satisfy the county's minimum standards for local public roads. Therefore, I find the applicants have not demonstrated their proposal satisfies the requirements of these sections. d. Section 17.36.160, Easements A. Utility Easements. Easements shall be provided along property lines when necessary for the placement of overhead or underground utilities, and to provide the subdivision or partition with electric power, communication facilities, street lighting, sewer lines, water lines, gas lines or drainage. Such easements shall be labeled "Public Utility Easement" on the tentative and final plat; they shall be at least 12 feet in width and centered on lot lines where possible, except utility pole guyline easements along the rear of lots or parcels adjacent to unsubdivided land may be reduced to 10 feet in width. B. Drainage. If a tract is traversed by a watercourse such as a drainageway, channel or stream, there shall be provided a stormwater easement or drainage right of way conforming Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 24 of 33 substantially with the lines of the watercourse, or in such further width as will be adequate for the purpose. Streets or parkways parallel to major watercourses or drainageways may be required. FINDINGS: The affected utility providers did not comment on the applicants' proposal or request any easements. The record indicates there are no natural watercourses on the property. The Hearings Officer finds that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to show all existing and required utility easements on the final partition plat. e. Section 17.36.170, Lots - Size and Shape The size, width and orientation of lots or parcels shall be appropriate for the location of the land division and for the type of development and use contemplated, and shall be consistent with the lot or parcel size provisions of Titles 18 through 21 of this code: FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds that at approximately 10 acres and 5 acres in size, the proposed partition parcels will be of sufficient size and dimensions to accommodate the establishment of single-family dwellings meeting the minimum setbacks in the EFU-TRB Zone. A. In areas not to be served by a public sewer, minimum lot and parcel sizes shall permit compliance with the requirements of the Department of Environmental Quality and the County Sanitarian, and shall be sufficient to permit adequate sewage disposal. Any problems posed by soil structure and water table and related to sewage disposal by septic tank shall be addressed and resolved in the applicant's initial plan. FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds that if the board approves the applicants' proposal on appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to obtain approved septic site evaluations for all three partition parcels prior to submitting the final partition plat for approval. B. Where property is zoned and planned for business or industrial use, other widths and areas may be permitted by the Hearings Body. Depth and width of properties reserved or laid out for commercial and industrial purposes shall be adequate to provide for the off-street service and parking facilities required by the type of use and development contemplated. FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds this criterion is not applicable because the applicants do not proposed business or industrial use. f. Section 17.36.180, Frontage Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 25 of 33 A. Each lot or parcel shall abut upon a public road for at least 50 feet, except for lots or parcels fronting on the bulb of a cul-de- sac, then the minimum frontage shall be 30 feet, and except for partitions off of U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management roads. B. All side lot lines shall be at right angles to street lines or radial to curved streets wherever practical. FINDINGS: The submitted tentative partition plat shows Parcels 1 and 3 would have at least 50 feet of frontage on Harrington Loop and all three parcels would have at least 50 feet of frontage on the proposed private access easement. However, as discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the applicants have not demonstrated the segment of Harrington Loop between the subject property and either Highway 20 or Gist Road is dedicated to the public, and the applicants have not proposed to dedicate the private access easement. Therefore, I find the applicants' proposal does not satisfy the requirements in Subsection (A) of this section. I find the proposed partition parcels do satisfy the requirements of Subsection (B) of this section. f. Section 17.36.210, Solar Access Performance A. As much solar access as feasible shall be provided each lot or parcel in every new subdivision or partition, considering topography, development pattern and existing vegetation. The lot lines of lots or parcels, as far as feasible, shall be oriented to provide solar access at ground level at the southern building line two hours before and after the solar zenith from September 22" to March 21St. If it is not feasible to provide solar access to the southern building line, then solar access, if feasible, shall be provided at 10 feet above ground level at the southern building line two hours before and after the solar zenith from September 22"d to March 21St, and three hours before and after the solar zenith from March 22"d to September 21st. B. This solar access shall be protected by solar height restrictions on burdened properties for the benefit of lots or parcels receiving the solar access. C. If the solar access for any lot or parcel, either at the southern building line or at 10 feet above the southern building line, required by this performance standard is not feasible, supporting information must be filed with the application. FINDINGS: The Hearings Officer finds all proposed partition parcels will be large enough to provide solar access as required by this section. g. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 26 of 33 Section 17.36.260, Fire Hazards Whenever possible, a minimum of two points of access to the subdivision or partition shall be provided to provide assured access for emergency vehicles and ease resident evacuation. FINDINGS: The submitted tentative partition plat shows Parcels 1 and 3 would have access from both Harrington Loop and the proposed private access easement, and Parcel 2 would have access only from the private easement. As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the proposed partition does not satisfy the Title 17 requirements that all partition parcels have access from a dedicated road because the record does not demonstrate the segment of Harrington Loop from the subject property to either Highway 20 or Gist Road is dedicated to the public. However, I have found that the applicants could reconfigure the proposed partition to create a "flag lot" for Parcel 2 that would allow all three parcels to have access from Harrington Loop, and therefore if the applicants can demonstrate Harrington Loop is a dedicated public road the proposed partition could satisfy the public road access requirement. I find that if the applicants can resolve the issue of adequate legal access to the proposed parcels, it should not be necessary for the applicants to provide a second point of access to the partition parcels. And if the applicants can demonstrate Harrington Loop is a dedicated public road, and they dedicate the proposed private access drive to the public, the proposed partition parcel configuration could be retained, and a second point of access to Parcels 1 and 3 would be provided. h. Section 17.36.290, Individual Wells In any subdivision or partition where individual wells are proposed, the applicant shall provide documentation of the depth and quantity of potable water available from a minimum of two wells within one mile of the proposed land division. Notwithstanding DCC 17.36.300, individual wells for subdivisions are allowed when parcels are larger than 10 acres. FINDINGS: The applicants propose to create one parcel larger than 10 acres and two parcels smaller than 10 acres. Each parcel would be served by an individual on-site well. The applicants submitted copies of two well logs for wells in the area showing water depths of approximately 500 feet and well depths from 585 to 615 feet. Based on this evidence the Hearings Officer finds the applicants' proposal complies with this section. i. Section 17.36.300, Public Water System In any subdivision or partition where a public water system is required or proposed, plans for the water system shall be submitted and approved by the appropriate state of federal agency. A community water system shall be required where lot or parcel sizes are less than one acre or where potable water sources are at depths greater than 500 feet, excepting land partitions. Except as provided for in DCC 17.24.120 and 17.24.130, a required water system shall be constructed and operational, with lines extended to the lot line of each and every lot depicted in the proposed subdivision or partition plat, prior to final approval. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 27 of 33 FINDINGS: Therefore, the Under this section, a community water system is not required for partitions. Hearings Officer finds this criterion is not applicable to the applicants' proposal 3. Chapter 17.44, Park Development a. Section 17.44.010, Dedication of Land * * * b. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 28 of 33 B. For subdivisions or partitions outside of an urban growth boundary, the developer shall set aside a minimum area of the development equal to $350 per dwelling unit within the development, if the land is suitable and adaptable for such purposes and is generally located in an area planned for parks. C. For either DCC 17.44.010 (A) or (B), the developer shall either dedicate the land set aside to the public or develop and provide maintenance for the land set aside as a private park open to the public. D. The Planning Director or Hearings Body shall determine whether or not such land is suitable for park purposes. E. If the developer dedicates the land set aside in accordance with DCC 17.44.010 (A) or (B), any approval by the Planning Director or Hearings Body shall be subject to the condition that the County or appropriate park district accept the deed dedicating such land. F. DCC 17.44.010 shall not apply to the subdivision or partition of lands located within the boundaries of the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District or the Central Oregon Park and Recreation District. Section 17.44.020, Fee in Lieu of Dedication A. In the event there is not suitable park or recreation area or site in the proposed subdivision or partition, or adjacent thereto, then the developer shall, in Lieu of setting aside land, pay into a park acquisition and development fund a sum of money equal to the fair market value of the land that would have been donated under DCC 17.44.010 above. For the purpose of determining the fair market value, the latest value of the land, unplatted and without improvements, as shown on the County Assessor's tax roll shall be used. The sum so contributed shall be deposited with the County Treasurer and be used for acquisition of suitable area for park and recreation purposes or for the development of recreation facilities. Such expenditures shall be made for neighborhood or community facilities at the discretion of the Board and/or applicable park district. B. DCC 17.44.020 shall not apply to subdivision or partition of lands located within the boundaries of the Bend Metro Park and Recreation District or the Central Oregon Park and Recreation District. FINDINGS: The record indicates the subject property is located within the boundaries of the Central Oregon Park District, and therefore the Hearings Officer finds the applicants' proposal is exempt from the park land dedication and fee in lieu of dedication. 4. Chapter 17.48, Design and Construction Specifications a. Section 17.48.160, Road Development Requirements - Standards * * * B. Improvements of Public Rights of Way 1. The developer of a subdivision or partition will be required to improve all public ways that are adjacent or within the land development. FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the evidence in this record is not sufficient to demonstrate the segment of Harrington Loop Road from the subject property to either Highway 20 or Gist Road is dedicated to the public. I have further found I lack authority to require the applicants to dedicate right-of-way for Harrington Loop from the subject property to either Highway 20 or Gist Road because the applicants do not own the intervening property, and therefore the applicants' proposed dedication of 30 feet of right-of- way for Harrington Loop along the subject property's northern boundary would not resolve the question of adequate legal access to the partition parcels or proposed dwellings. In addition, as discussed above, the evidence in this record does not show the width or nature of improvements to the segment of Harrington Loop Road from the subject property either to Highway 20 or Gist Road, and therefore it is not possible to determine whether and to what extent the road's width and improvements satisfy the county's minimum right-of-way and improvements standards for a rural local road. Therefore, I find the applicants' proposal does not satisfy this criterion.4 b. Section 17.48.170, Road Development Requirements - Partitions Roadway improvements within a partition and to a road maintained by a public agency shall be constructed prior to final approval of the 4 It is possible that requiring the applicants to satisfy the requirements of this section would exceed what is roughly proportional to the minimal traffic impacts from the partition. However, that cannot be determined from this record. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 29 of 33 partition, depending on the maximum parcel size as follows: A. For a parcel size of 10 acres or larger, the minimum road improvement standard shall be 20 feet wide with five inches of aggregate surfacing (cinders are acceptable), the centerline of which coincides with the centerline of the right of way; B. For a parcel size of less than 10 acres, the road standards used shall be the same as for a subdivision. FINDINGS: This criterion establishes minimum improvement standards for road within a partition and roads "maintained by a public agency" — i.e., not necessarily roads dedicated to the public. Therefore, I find these standards apply to both Harrington Loop and the applicants' proposed private access easement. One of the proposed partition parcels would 10 acres in size and the other two parcels would be 5 acres in size. The Hearings Officer has not previously determined which road improvement standard in this section applies under these circumstances. However, I find that because the "maximum parcel size" in the proposed partition is 10 acres, it is appropriate to apply the standards in Subsection (A) — i.e., 20 feet of aggregate or cinder surface five inches deep. As discussed in the findings above, the record does not show what are the existing right-of-way width and improvements for the segment of Harrington Loop between the subject property and either Highway 20 or Gist Road. Therefore, the Hearings Officer cannot determine whether additional improvements to Harrington Loop would be required to comply with the standards in Subsection (A) of this section. With respect to the proposed private access easement, I find that if the board approves the applicants' proposal and proposed partition configuration non appeal, such approval should be subject to a condition of approval requiring the applicants to dedicate that easement to the public and to improve it to the county's minimum standards under Subsection (A). c. Section 17.48.180, Private Roads The following minimum road standards shall apply for private roads: A. The minimum paved roadway width shall be 20 feet in planned unit developments and cluster developments with two -foot wide gravel shoulders; B. Minimum radius of curvature, 50 feet; C. Maximum grade, 12 percent; D. At least one road name sign will be provided at each intersection for each road; E. A method for continuing road maintenance acceptable to the County; Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 30 of 33 F. Private road systems shall include provisions for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. In cluster and planned developments limited to ten dwelling units, the bicycle and pedestrian traffic can be accommodated within the 20 -foot wide road. In other developments, shoulder bikeways shall be a minimum of four feet wide, paved and striped, with no on -street parking allowed within the bikeway, and when private roads are developed to a width of less than 28 feet, bike paths constructed to County standards shall be required. FINDINGS: As discussed in the findings above, the Hearings Officer has found the applicants cannot provide access to the proposed partition parcels from a private road because they are not proposing a planned or cluster development. I also have found it is not appropriate to approve use of a private road for the proposed partition because the applicants could reconfigure the partition to provide access for all three parcels to Harrington Loop, and therefore application of the public road requirement would not prevent the applicants from partitioning the subject property and accordingly would not reduce the value of the property. For these reasons, I find the private road standards in this section do not apply to the applicants' proposal. For the foregoing reasons, the Hearings Officer finds the applicants' proposed partition does not comply with all applicable criteria in Title 17. IV. DECISION: Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearings Officer hereby DENIES the applicants' proposed partition and the establishment of new single-family dwellings. In the event this decision is appealed to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and the board approves the proposed partition on appeal, the Hearings Officer hereby RECOMMENDS such approval be SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. This approval is based upon the applicants' submitted tentative partition plan, burden of proof statement and supplemental materials, and written and oral testimony. Any substantial change to the approved plan will require a new land use application and approval. PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE FINAL PARTITION PLAT FOR APPROVAL: 2. The applicants/owners shall obtain approved septic site evaluations for all three partition parcels from the Deschutes County Environmental Health Division. 3. The applicants/owners shall have a licensed land surveyor prepare a partition plat in conformance with ORS Chapter 92 and Title 17 of the Deschutes County Code. The surveyor shall submit information showing the location of the existing Harrington Loop in relationship to the dedicated right-of-way. This information can be submitted on a worksheet and does not necessarily have to be on the final plat. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 31 of 33 4. The applicants/owners shall obtain access permits from the Deschutes County Community Development Department for any new access to Harrington Loop. 5. The applicants/owners shall pay to the Deschutes County Treasurer all ad valorem taxes, fees and other charges that have become a lien upon the entire parcel. 6. The applicants/owners shall execute and record with the Deschutes County Clerk a document binding the landowner, and the landowner's successors in interest, prohibiting them from pursuing a claim for relief or cause of action alleging injury from farming or forest practices for which no action or claim is allowed under ORS 93.396 or 30.397. 7. The applicants/owners shall provide to the Planning Division written documentation from the Cloverdale Rural Fire District that Harrington Loop will have adequate width and surface improvements to provide access for emergency vehicles. WITH OR ON THE FINAL PARTITION PLAT: 8. The final partition plat shall include the following information: a. the exact size of each parcel; b. all easements of record; and c. all required utility easements. 9. The applicants/owners shall submit a current title report or subdivision guarantee. 10. The applicants/owners shall dedicate to the public the 60 -foot -wide private access easement shown on the submitted tentative partition plat, and shall improve this roadway to the county's minimum standards for partition parcels 10 acres or larger in size. PRIOR TO REQUESTING A BUILDING PERMIT FOR EACH DWELLING: 11. The applicants/owners or their successors in interest shall: a. demonstrate that the dwelling will be located outside the boundaries of the LM Zone; or b. if the dwelling would be located within the LM Zone boundaries, apply for and obtain LM site plan approval for the dwelling. FOLLOWING FINAL PARTITION PLAT APPROVAL/AT ALL TIMES: 12. Any new dwellings shall comply with the 30 -foot height limit in the EFU-TRB Zone. Compliance with this requirement shall be verified at the time of building permit issuance. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 32 of 33 13. Any new dwellings shall comply with the minimum setbacks in the EFU-TRB Zone. Compliance with these setbacks shall be verified at the time of building permit issuance. 14. The applicants/owners shall contact the Deschutes County Property Address Coordinator for new addresses for the partition parcels. Dated this 7e, day of January, 2008. d`^ Mailed this . day of January, 2008. Karen H. Green, Hearings Officer THIS DECISION BECOMES FINAL TWELVE DAYS AFTER MAILING UNLESS TIMELY APPEALED. Stoltz MP -07-29 Page 33 of 33