Hearing examiner: state Ecology must sign off before shoreline permits are final

Hearing examiner Mark Scheidmeyer closed the public portion of the hearing by reminding the city that the consolidated approval still requires subsequent state review for shoreline permits.

"The shoreline conditional use permit and the shoreline variance are both required to receive final approval from Ecology, not just review of my decision but a final approval of those two requirements," Scheidmeyer said, noting that his written decision will be followed by that separate state review. He also told the parties he would prepare findings covering the four permit types and would aim to issue a decision promptly.

The examiner and staff confirmed there were no public commenters present at the hearing. No formal vote or action was taken at the hearing; the matter remains under review pending the examiner's written decision and Ecology’s final sign-off.