There is nothing wrong with people filing complaints about zoning and conditional use permit violations. Viking Cove—“a unique and breathtaking venue for the occasion of a lifetime”—is zoned “Rural Residential Mud Bay,” areas designated for “single family dwellings and cottage industries.” Chetney purchased the property in 2013 and established three vacation rentals before applying for a conditional use permit. A permit was applied for and granted in 2014 by the Planning Commission under the definition “vacation rental” with conditions: No more accommodations be built. Maximum of 20 guests. Chetney also submitted a construction declaration to build a 40-ft. x 80-ft. storage building. Since 2014, three more rentals were advertised—a violation of the permit—and then excused by the Planning Commission as long as only three units are rented and occupancy stays at 20. Since 2015, complaints of violation have been filed. Have the Chetneys violated their permit by turning the “vacation rental” business also into an “event venue” business and has the construction declaration also been violated? The storage building is now an event hall. Violation. The vacation rental business is now also an event venue business—without any public process initiated or a parking permit. Violation. No matter how crafty Alekka Fullerton makes her argument, Katey Palmer and others are right to complain. Viking Cove is no longer a “cottage industry.” [See HBC18.20.020] Rob Goldberg representing Chetney? Conflict of interest.

Linda Moyer

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