BINGEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
 

October 5, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Prigel at 7:00 p.m. Council members present: Terry Trantow, Randy Anderson, Jeanette Fentie, Betty Barnes and Laura Mann. Clerk Jan Brending and Attorney Tad Connors were present. Audience: John Deo, William Maley, Marilyn Winter, Matt Riley, Jeff and Jill Rogers, Jeff Cooper.

Public Comment
Betty Barnes, Bingen
Betty Barnes asked if anyone attended the Klickitat County EDA meeting and whether or not the 2004 EDA grant for $25,000 had been carried over to 2005. Brian Prigel said he did not attend the meeting and staff said they had not heard from Don Struck.

Approval of Minutes – September 7 and September 21, 2004
The following corrections were noted to the September 7 minutes:

Page 2, 4^th paragraph, change the sentence to read “Jan Brending noted that prior to final approval a name for the private driveway providing access to lots 2 and 3 would be required.”

Page 2, 8^th paragraph, 1st sentence, add the word “approval” after “preliminary”.

The following corrections were noted to the September 21 minutes:

Page 1, 7^th paragraph, change the last sentence to read as follows: “Terry Trantow said one sign is attached to the back of a van on the north side of Steuben. Anderson noted that the second sign is attached to the tree stakes at the driveway entrance of the business.”

Terry Trantow moved to approve the minutes of September 7 and September 21, 2004 as amended. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Public Hearing – Variance Request – William Maley
Jan Brending noted that on the variance request the correct minimum width of the proposed lot is 51.40 feet not 32 feet as noted in the public notice.

William Maley said he is requesting a variance from the City’s requirement for a minimum 60 foot lot width for property within a R1 zoning district. Maley said he has enough property that it can be divided into two parcels. He said however that the topography of the property makes it difficult for placement of the home on the 2^nd lot if the first lot meets the minimum lot width requirement. Maley said the driveway for the 2^nd house will be very steep. Maley reviewed the proposed short plat for his property. He said lot #1 is shaped as a flag lot to provide sewer access to lot #2 and to help achieve the 6,000 square feet needed for lot #1. Maley said that if the variance is not granted he will still propose a short plat for the property. He said the variance will make the second lot a better lot without steep access.

Marilyn Winter, a resident of Bingen, asked if the variance request is just for the property owned by Mr. Maley or if it would affect all the properties in Bingen.

Brian Prigel said the variance request is only for Mr. Maley’s property.

It was noted that if the variance request was denied a second variance request could be made at the time a house is proposed for the second lot. The request could be for a variance of the minimum side yard setback requirement although there is no guarantee that such a request would be approved.

Brian Prigel said that the property is currently a single parcel with a house under construction. He said there is enough property for a two-lot short plat regardless of approval or denial of the variance. Prigel said topography of the second lot may make building a new home on it difficult.

Terry Trantow said that two homes could be built on the property. He said accessibility to the second lot is really the issue. Trantow noted that he feels a later variance request could be a “man-made” issue.

Jeanette Fentie said the issue is before the city council now and asked why it shouldn’t be dealt with at this time.

Terry Trantow said he would be more favorable of a variance for minimum lot width then he would be for a variance of setback requirements.

Laura Mann said she does not know how much it would cost to build a house on the 2^nd lot but noted there are many different ways in which a house can be constructed.

Randy Anderson said he feels it is important to look at whether the city is setting a precedent in approving the variance request. He said he also feels it is necessary to look at what is best for the city and the public.

Jeanette Fentie noted that the property has some major drainage issues. She noted that where the house is under construction some of the land sloughed off into the property directly south. Fentie said the property drains into Dry Creek and is very steep, sandy and unstable. Fentie said the current parcel accommodates one home. She said that with a minimum 60 foot lot width the property could be divided into two parcels. Fentie said she does not think the request, even considering the topography, is an unusual situation.

Randy Anderson said he agrees with Fentie. He said there are other parcels that have similar topography and steep driveways.

Terry Trantow moved to approve the variance request by William Maley allowing a minimum lot width of less than 60 feet due to topographic conditions and providing a less steep driveway access to the proposed lot 2. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion failed 2 to 3 with the following vote: Anderson – nay, Barnes – aye, Fentie – nay, Mann – nay, Trantow – aye.

Terry Trantow suggested that in the design of the short plat information showing the location of Bridgeview Court and Highway 141 should be provided.

Final Short Plat Approval – Jeffrey Rogers
Jan Brending said that Jeff Rogers has submitted the appropriate paperwork required for final approval of his proposed short plat. The paperwork includes information on the construction of the private road and driveway access, a proposed road maintenance agreement, and stormwater drainage plan developed by a certified engineer. Brending noted the short plat should be numbered 2004-003.

Laura Mann moved to give final approval to the Jeff Rogers Short Plat, 2005-003. Jeanette Fentie seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously with Terry Trantow abstaining.

Boundary Line Adjustment – Versatile Supply, Inc. (Norm Deo)
Jan Brending said that Versatile Supply has submitted a final drawing for the proposed boundary line adjustment between property owned by Big River Diner and Versatile Supply. She said the paperwork includes a letter signed by both Big River Diner and Versatile Supply supporting the proposed boundary line adjustment.

Randy Anderson moved to approve the boundary line adjustment submitted by Versatile Supply, Inc. Betty Barnes seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously with Terry Trantow abstaining.

Sign Application – Glenn Taylor Windemere
Jan Brending said Glenn Taylor Windemere has submitted a sign application for a monument sign located on the front of the subject property perpendicular to Highway 14 (Steuben). She said the proposed sign is less than 150 square feet and meets the City’s sign ordinance requirements. Brending noted a building permit will be necessary before the sign can be installed.

Randy Anderson moved to approve the sign application by Glenn Taylor Windemere. Terry Trantow seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Sign Application – La Colminense
Jan Brending said La Colminense is a meat market/grocery store that has opened at 107A W. Humboldt next to the Bingen Family Salon. Brending said the business is asking for approval of two signs that would be mounted to the front of the building and the side of the building which faces the 1^st Independent Bank parking lot. She said the square footage of both signs are less than 150 square feet.

Laura Mann moved to approve the sign application by La Colminense. Randy Anderson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Sign Application – Carquest
Jan Brending said Carquest has submitted a sign application for three signs for the new location at 405 E. Steuben. She said Carquest logo signs would be located on the front face of the building and on the west side of the building. Brending said in addition a sign saying “Auto Parts” would be located on front face of the building. She said the total square footage of the signs is less than 150 square feet. Brending said there was some concern that the total square footage of the signs on the front of the building might exceed the requirement that total square footage of signs cannot exceed 4 percent of the face of the building. It was noted that because the Carquest logo sign is not square and that because there is actually a gap between the words “auto” and “parts” that the square footage is very close to the 4 percent requirement.

Randy Anderson moved to approve the sign application by Carquest. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.

Betty Barnes noted that the old signage at the previous Carquest location needs to be removed.

Jan Brending noted that a building permit will be required for the installation of the signs.

Mayor’s Update
Tree Located within Right-of-Way
Brian Prigel reported that there is a tree located in the right-of-way at the western property line of Ken’s Automotive. He said the tree has been pruned by the PUD over the years so that most of the branches are growing on one side of the tree. Prigel said there is concern about the tree coming down and causing damage to property. He said he is not generally in support to taking trees out but that in situations where a tree could cause damage it is prudent to take the tree out.

Randy Anderson moved to authorize removal of the tree growing in the right-of-way at the western property line of Ken’s Automotive. Laura Mann seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Bad Seed Cider House Sign
Brian Prigel said a letter has been drafted and will be mailed to Bad Seed Cider House regarding the temporary placement of their signage for the business.

Business Proposal
Brian Prigel said the City will likely receive a proposal in the near future regarding the building that used to house Carquest. He said a potential business owner would like to modify the existing sidewalk and create a new driveway into the building. Prigel said this would require relocation of the decorative lighting in front of the building.

Park Well
Brian Prigel said that within the last couple of weeks the production from the Park Well went down to a significant minimum level. He said the well was taken off line and the pump pulled. Prigel said he will be meeting with staff to discuss the results of pulling the pump and what actions are to be taken.

Budget Committee
Jan Brending noted that a budget committee meeting is necessary in the next week. She said currently Laura Mann sits on the committee but another council member is needed. Randy Anderson volunteered to serve on the budget committee.

A budget committee meeting is set for Tuesday, October 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Communications Tower
Laura Mann said she has noticed a new communications tower located on Depot Street. Brian Prigel said the communications tower was installed by Burlington Northern Railroad to meet its communication needs.

Jan Brending noted that a building permit was obtained for the tower and that it is located within an industrial zone with no height restrictions.

Fire Department
Betty Barnes asked how the installation of the fire siren was going. Jan Brending noted that an electrician has been contacted who will be working with Wheelers Communication to complete the installation.

Brian Prigel noted that delivery of the fire truck appears to still be on time even though it is being built in Florida and in spite of being hit by a hurricane. A mid-November delivery is expected.

Vouchers
Vouchers audited and certified as required by RCW 42.24.080 and expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.090 as of this date October 5, 2004. The council by unanimous vote does approve for payment the following list: warrants 6264 through 6299 totaling $102,662.80, manual warrants 6263 totaling $125.00, and payroll warrants 6031 through 6042 totaling $18,412.52 for a total of $121,200.32: Current - $10,385.36; Street - $3,607.87; Street Construction and Maintenance - $78,021.60; Water - $10,007.52; Sewer - $1,679.54; Treatment Plant - $5,106.80; Dallesport Treatment Plant - $5,791.63, and Water Construction and Maintenance - $6,600.00.

At 8:45 p.m. the Council adjourned.

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City Clerk                                                                    Mayor