Council stands by building codesby Nathan Arneal The North Bend City Council stood by its ordinances at its Nov. 3 meeting and did not approve a building permit that requested a garage peak of 18.5 feet. Scott and Beth Coufal said they wanted to have storage space above their planned 26-by-34-foot garage, so they requested the higher peak. Councilman Ken Streff said there are garages in town that peak higher than 15 feet that were grandfathered in when current regulations were passed. He also said he checked with other municipalities and said most towns have a limit between 15 and 20 feet. Councilman Alex Legge said the city has to abide by its rules. “You guys were here when we told people no,” Legge said, addressing the other councilmen. “Now the very same people are the ones wanting to relax the very enforcements you helped put in.” Legge and councilman Waylon Fischer said it is illegal to allow variances to the city code. Councilman Chuck Krenzer said changing such a regulation must start with the planning commissioner who would offer the council a recommendation as to whether or not to change the ordinance. The Coufals said they would consider taking their request to the planning commission. A vote on their building permit was tabled. Mayor Rod Scott warned against trying to make everyone happy. “The trouble is,” Scott said, “you start stuff like this, then you’re doing it every time someone turns around.” Legge said the council has to stay consistent to avoid looking like it is playing favorites. Read the full story in the print or e-edition. <<Back to the front page |