02/17/2011: "Move My House?? No."

A postcard titled “Have you heard about the CAO?” has caused confusion for some, and the producers of it have sent out a press release in an attempt to clear up a potential misunderstanding:

//PRESS RELEASE:// - Common Sense Alliance (CSA) recently produced a blue and white postcard entitled “Have you heard about the CAO?” which was distributed via the U. S. Postal Service to San Juan County shoreline property owners.

We understand that some people may have misconstrued a statement in the postcard regarding “a proposal to move houses 150 to 200 feet or more away from shorelines and wetlands.” CSA in no way intended to imply that an existing home or structure would be required to be physically relocated because of current or proposed regulations.

The postcard addresses the pending CAO update, which will affect property owners in two ways.

First, for new construction within a shoreline setback or wetland buffer, an owner may be required to locate the structure an increased distance from the shoreline or designated buffer zone from what would be required under the current 50 to 100 foot setback.

Second, existing homes and structures found to lie within proposed new buffers or setbacks will likely become “non-conforming,” a designation that brings with it potential limits on expansion, renovation, and replacement.

If you have any further questions or comments about this matter, please address them to Common Sense Alliance at info@commonsensealliance.net or to the County.