LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS

Overview

A Lot Line Adjustment is a minor movement of property lines between two or more adjoining parcels.  Lot Line Adjustments are used to correct minor trespasses (such as building over or too close to a property line) or to add acreage to a parcel for the owner’s convenience.

State Law requires the City to review Lot Line Adjustments to ensure that the land taken from one parcel is added to an adjacent parcel, and that no new parcels are created.  The City also reviews the adjustment to determine that the resulting parcels will conform to City=s Zoning and Building Ordinances and that the adjustment will not cause an adverse impact on the neighborhood or the environment.

How to Apply

Application materials are available at the Community Development Department, Third floor, and City Hall.  The department staff can assist you with the materials needed for a complete application packet.  Once you have put together a complete application packet, return the materials to the department for processing.

The Application Review Process

Step 1: Application acceptance/Department review

Once your application has been accepted and fees collected, the department staff will perform a preliminary review of the application to determine if the application is complete.  The review will focus on the request in order to accurately describe your project in the public notice and to the decision maker.  Should your application be found incomplete, you will receive a notice indicating what items must be submitted before processing can continue.

Step 2: Development Coordination Committee

The City of Eureka submits all Lot Line Adjustment proposals to the City=s Development Coordination Committee for review and input.  Development Coordination is an opportunity for you, the applicant, to work with City departments and public service agencies on an informal basis to review your project.  The committee, which meets weekly, will determine compliance with individual department or agency requirements and develop draft conditions of approval to be applied to your Lot Line Adjustment.

Step 3: Staff Review

Once the Development Coordination Committee has concluded their review of your Lot Line Adjustment, staff will analyze the project for conformance with the City=s zoning and building codes.

Step 4: Decision by the Community Development Director

The Community Development Director has the power to approve, approve with conditions or deny your project.  The Director will take into account all comments from the applicant, the Development Coordination Committee and general public before making a decision.

Step 5: Appeals

The applicant or any other person may appeal the Community Development Director=s decision to the Planning Commission. The appeal must be made in writing within 15 calendar days and shall be accompanied with the required processing (check with the Community Development Department for information regarding fees or the appeal process).

Planning Commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council by the applicant or any interested person adversely affected by the lot Line Adjustment provided that the appeal is filed with the City Clerk within 10 calendar days of the decision.  Appeals must be submitted in writing on forms provided by the City Clerk and be accompanied with the required fees (check with the Community Development Department or City Clerk for information regarding fees for the appeal process).  The City Council=s decision will be final.

Expiration of Subdivision Approval

The tentative approval of your Lot Line Adjustment is effective for one year form the effective date of your Lot Line Adjustment.  If the conditions of approval cannot be completed within one year, you may apply to the Community Development Department for a one time, one year extension.  Please note: applications for extensions must be submitted before the expiration date, and may be granted only when the circumstances and conditions of the original approval have not changed.

How to Get Help

If you are having difficulties preparing your application, call or visit the Community Development Department and discuss your project with the department staff.  If you are still confused over the application procedure, you may wish to hire a consultant; such as an engineer, land surveyor, or professional planner.  A listing of qualified professionals is available in the yellow pages of the phone directory.