Planning commission holds hearing on proposed changes to administrative-deviation rules

The Leavenworth Planning Commission opened a public hearing on proposed changes to the administrative-deviation provisions identified in the staff report as T.04.15.

Staff described the amendment as a minor change that would limit the ability of some applicants to seek administrative deviations in certain residential districts, particularly for height and related dimensional standards. The change responds to recent edits to other zoning sections and to concerns about how administrative deviations interacted with multi-family and infill development.

Commission discussion focused on the role of administrative deviations as a discretionary, administrative alternative to formal variance processes. Some commissioners expressed concern that removing or narrowing the administrative path could force applicants into the formal variance process even for modest adjustments, while others said administrative deviations should remain tight so they are not used to routinely exceed height limits or other standards.

A member of the public urged the commission to rely on data before making broad process changes. Commissioners requested that staff provide records showing how many administrative deviations had been granted in the prior 24 months so the commission can see whether the administrative pathway was being used frequently or only for exceptional cases.

No final action on T.04.15 was recorded in the transcript excerpt. Commissioners signaled interest in reviewing deviation counts and examples before making a recommendation to the governing body.

Staff also clarified that building-code compliance and state-adopted codes remain binding and that certain dimensional standards are still enforced under building code and zoning provisions.

The commission closed the public hearing on this item with direction to return with additional data.