APPEAL OF ADMIN DECISION1
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BEFORE THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
OFFICE OF HEARING EXAMINER
RODNEY AND SANDY RICH,
Appellants,
V,
CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, acting
through its Department of Planning and
Community Development,
No. COD -14020
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE
DECISION
Rodney and Sandy Rich, Appellants herein, pursuant to City of Bainbridge Island
Municipal Code (`BIMC ") § 1.26.070(D), BIMC § 2.16.020(P), BIMC § 2.16.020(C)(2)5
BIMC § 2.16.010 (Table 2.16.010 -1), and BIMC § 2.16.100(B), hereby appeal to the
Bainbridge Island Office of Hearing Examiner that certain administrative decision dated
December 12. 2014 (the "Decision ") issued by Katherine Cook, Director, City of Bainbridge
Island Department of Planning and Community Development ( "the City ") under the signature
of City Attorney Lisa Marshall. The Decision is made upon a Request for Director's Review.
That request addressed a Code Enforcement Action initiated by a Notice of Violation and
Order to Correct dated June 23, 2014, under File NO. COD - 140200
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 1 of 12
[90260 -11
DENNIs D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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prejudice that the Decision has caused, or likely will cause them, for which review and relief
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wr
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IN
10 Dr. Eric and Janice Rasmussen, 11721 Sunset Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island,
Washington, 98110, ail: J13ldlo t 11110o.00m.
DENNIs D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 2 of 12 200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
[90960.61 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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P AjII12II1pjIqIlIIII1qp� III 111111111i
I Ikv� 01 X411 61 [11111W W
A p ellants appeal the Administrative Decision dated December 12, 2014. A
JIM
4,1 The Decision
(Ex. 1, emphasis supplied).'
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and/or int- • nsistent in that it states the retaining wall cannot be permitted,
• • '# • •
' See also Decision, p. 6 ( "Because the retaining wall cannot be permitted... ").
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 3 of 12 200 Winslow Way West, suite 380
[90260 -11 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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IIIIIIrII
1 : 1 t,- 1 • �- 1 11`1• '`1'•' - 1 • r
IMMM Mrs ml-
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developed with a single-family residence and appurtenant structures. The address of th+
property is 11691 Sunset Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110, tax parcel
:• 11' 1 ' 111• - I' 11- 1
contains steep slopes which appear to be regulated under the City's Critical Areas Ordinance,
MINOR
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Second Addition, Vol. 3 of Plats, page 134., recorded February 16, 1911. Although thTr
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comprised of certain structures and improvements (" the Boundary Markers"), all which are
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53 One Boundary Marker is a concrete wall constructed by Mr. Rich in 1993 that
runs from Sunset Avenue to the top edge of the bank. At the time the wall was constructed,
APPEAL , . . O 4 of
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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Rio
bottom of the bank, the Rasmussens have erected a wooden deck. That deck has been in place
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half feet over an orange survey bolt on the Rasmussen's bulkhead. Based on the position of
the orange survey bolt, the Rasmussens have stated that they believe that part of the deck was
5A Immediately adjacent to the wooden deck, Mr. and Mrs. Rich have maintained
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P.001. Specifically, have constructed an access trail composed of .1
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the Rasmussen's agreement as to the location of the boundary line, The bank work was done
by Mr. Rich accessing the slope via the Rasmussens' beach stairs. He had permission to us4
51.5 Pursuant to the well-defined "Boundary Markers" set out above, both partira
Thus, besides the well-defined Boundary Markers, the parties recognized those markers as the
boundary through actions and words. In recognition of those certain boundary markers (edgIT
of deck, timber wall, and concrete wall), the parcel boundary changed by operation of law
pursuant to the doctrine of mutual recognition and acquiescence. In the alternative, til
property line is established by adverse possession. Specifically, the north face of the concrete
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 5 of 12 200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
[90260..1:1 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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deck represent the actual boundary. The boundary line has been recognized as the mutual
property line for over 10 years. Merriman v, Cokeley, 168 Wn. 2d 627 630-3 1 230 Pv3d I �
(2010) (describing elements of mutual recognition and acquiescence). Courts in Washington
have agreed that a certain boundary exists when a "fence, a pathway, or some other object or
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P11111! WMITNTIM TRW
removed. The Rasmussens have wholly failed to do so. The wall cuts off the Rich's access to
approximately 23 percent of their waterfront. The Rasmussens have also put up a wire fence
and run wire around a large Maple tree located on the Richs' property. That is so, even bas
upon the ' - survey, on the Rich Property.
5e7 As set out above, -I a Code Enforcement I against Mr. and
Mrs. Rich. Appellants do not obi.eq obi. to obtaining after - the -fact permits or approvals for the
work of concern to the City, which they believe in good faith was allowed by law and exempt.
They also quo Ilot (Ij; l to providing the City the studies requested in the Decision, or to any
Jill F
1110 1111111 111
SUMMARY ' + 1 FOR APPEAIN
6oO Appellants reallege their allegations set out in Sections I — V of the appeal.
APPEAL r OF r 1 •' of 12
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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r
62 The Decision is in error in finding that Appellants have encroached "at least
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BIMC § 18.03.080 (emphasis supplied). Based upon the City Code section, Bainbridgoir
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*A The City also has no basis to regulate or determine boundary lines between
rtrivately owned property ! general police power. The analysis of ! of 2222
begin with the understanding of fundamental principles set forth in the State's constitution:
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
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Brian Snure, A Frequent Recurrence To Fundamental Principles: Individual Rights, 67
rights:
C 6 The author discusses the it natural law yy origins of Article I, section 32 and 2
111111f 1�11111 4P
Yale Law Journal, The Law of Nature in State and Federal Judicial Decisions, 25 YLJ 617,
III- 01
-feel "Imm
fite U-6ted States. but could not
regulate without compensation those "fast lands, " being defined as lands abutting shorelines
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if), 8 A case addressing the accepted doctrine along navigable shorelines is U.S. v,
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE , of
DENNI3 D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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Willow River Power Co., 324 U.S. 499, 65 S.Ct, 761 U.S., 1945, in which the Court reviewed
the historic rights of 1, 1 - . 1 w ng the shorelines. Quoting
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6,9 The key distinction in the historic shoreline cases was a recognition of a very
water - on navigable waters area the public , 1'.. an _ e: . 1 it
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the public had no inherent rights on fast lands. U.S. v. Kansas City Life Ins, Co., 339 U.S.
7999 70 S.Ct, 885 U.S. 1950,
trespass. + exclude - 1 property ri
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION 4 of 12
0.
DENNIs D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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Kaiser Aetna v. U. S., 444 U.S. 164, 100 S.Ct. 383 U.S. Hawaii (1979), at 179 -180.3
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all An MITA, 11 11 1111 1111 111 1 i
6.12 Even if the City's new Shoreline Master Program applies, the law allows
property owners to protect their property. • - retaining wall
required to protect the sl•• r, on ••- property. Thus, it is legal
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Jill 11,1111111, 1111�1111� 11,11 111111111111111 11 11111111 Jill I 11111111111111111111111111 11111, 1 lllllllip�111111111 1111
protect slope stability, a function served by the retaining wall. See BIMC § 16.20.150(E)
(Development Standards). It is error to determine that the retaining wall cannot be approved
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There I. own and reasonably develop real property
*f arbitrary governmental actions, including enforcement of the law without basis in law or
fact. See, e.g., Carpinteria Valley Farms v. County of Santa Barbara, 334 F.3d 796 (Ninth
Circuit, 2003). The Decision violates Appellants' constitutional rights, including their rigo
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s As stated by Mr, Justice Brandeis, `*[a In cssoliti al claw ^ntent of iridividtrrrl property is the legal right to r. xclr:rr e
others fr-onr erlja`�ying it. "" 1eit.atiom on�rittedJ f'htas, itthe, Govermnent wishes to snake w bat was F I- 111er ^ly �LIapa
Pond into za prrhhr� aquatic paii after petltioneras have proceeded as far as they have here, it may not, without
DENN[s D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 10 of 12 200 Winslow way West, suite 380
[90260 -1] Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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VII. APPEAL FEE
7.0 The $530 appeal fee is tendered with this appeal.
VIII. RELIEF REQUESTED
Appellants request that the Office of Hearing Examiner, upon review:
8.0 Reverse and vacate the Decision and remand with instructions to the City that
it process expeditiously and in good faith any and all after - the -fact permit applications
submitted by Appellants to maintain any improvements in question in place, including the
retaining wall.
8.1 Grant any other further relief that is just and fair under the circumstances.
DATED this 24th day of December, 2014.
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
By
Dennis D. Reynolds, WSBA #04762
Attorneys for Appellants Rodney and Sandy Rich
ft
invoking its eminent domain power and paying just compensation, require them to allow free access to the
dredged pond.
DENNIS D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 11 of 12 200 Winslow Way west, Suite 380
[90260 -11 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
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CERTIFICA'I " "E OF SERVICE
I, the undersigned, hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State
of Washington, that I am now, and have at all times material hereto been, a resident of the
State of Washington, over the age of 18 years, not a party to, nor interested in, the above -
entitled action, and competent to be a witness herein.
I caused a true and correct copy of the foregoing pleading to be served this date, in the
manner indicated, to the parties listed below:
Dr. Eric and Janice Rasmussen
11721 Sunset Avenue NE
Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110
ff Ica cp @,,y li o.coni, email
Potential Interested Parites
❑ Legal Messenger
❑ Hand Delivered
❑ Facsimile
❑ First Class Mail
❑ Express Mail, Next Day
ti Email
DATED at Bainbridge Island, Washington, this 24th day of December, 2014.
Christy A.:1 yl
Legal Assistant
APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION - 12 of 12
[90260 -11
DENNIs D. REYNOLDS LAW OFFICE
200 Winslow Way West, Suite 380
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 780 -6777
(206) 780 -6865 (Facsimile)
RICH — Appeal of Administrative Decision
i A :' R
DV.sCq',MBER t 2, 2M
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EMBEDDED PO AND P
PACPF, 5 OF 6
OECtl°:@/CBER 12, 2014
1'llpi you,
i,
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Dennis 3
. Reynolds Law Office
200 Winslow Way W. Suite 380 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Land Use • Fisheries Law • Environmental Law • Business Law • Indian Law • Real Estate
206.780.6777 206.780.6865 fax ww.ddrlaw.com
July ,, 2014
Department of Planning and Community Development
Bainbridge :Island. City Hall.
280 North Madison Avenue
Bainbridge Island,, WA 98110
Re, Ricl . d afx
--- I"' a r �f1 Now 18Q 004 -019 0006
11691 Sunset Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, Washington 98110
Dear Director Cook,
Bainbridge Islam
JUL. ._ .7 2014
Dept. of Marviing
ornmm um "P7 Danvebpra lent
Pursuant to the Bainbridge Island Mau.nicipal Code, Section 1„26,070, please treat: this
letter as a Request toy- Director's review, Review is sought of that certain Letter of Violation
dated June 23, 201.4 and received. ;Iuly 2, 2014.1 ("'the Notice "') issued ii under BIMC § L26.050
and/or BIMC § 1426 „060 by the City's Code 1 nforcernent Officer, Greg 'Vause„ 'The assitpied
file number is COD-14.020.. Mr. and Mrs. Rich re:se'u °ve the right to au'nend the Request alter
review of all relevant City files„
A true and accurate copy of the Notice is attached. as Exhibit A. and by reference is made
part of this request, The Notice alleges two violations of the Bainbridge Island City' (lode, BIMC
§16.1.2,360 (failure to obtain a shoreline permit) and B1MC § 1,5.0 030 (failure to obtain. a
bunlding permit), The Code Enforcement Officer did not perform a site visit " 'he Notice was
issued following a. review of City files in which the Officer determined there were no permits on
record.
"Phis l eulu.test for Director"s Review is made on behalf eel` Rodney and Sanely Rich,, 11691
Sunset Avenue NE, Bainbridge Island, Wa hingtonu 98110, please email my office directly to .set
a mutually comven'ien't date '16r the Director's Review meeting„
SPECIFICATION OF 1111 RO.I1.
1, It was error for the City to determine a Code Violation exists due to the lack of
shoreline permits because the stairway /terraces are exempt from shoreline
permitting requirements per BIMC § 16.12.260.B.9 and B.16. This aspect of the
Notice of Violation should be withdrawn pursuant to BIMC § 1.26.070.B.2.
2. It was error for the City to determine a Code Violation exists because there is no
evidence of. (1) improper clearing or grading (BIMC § 16.12.060), (2)
1 Mr. and Mrs. Rich were, out Of town and (lid not receive the Nonce of Violation urntil their r tuurn ern July 2„ 2014,
�90260 --n.l
BACKGROUND
C;�smaurmy to the allegations of (fie Complainants, the work is not primru�uuily a retaining
structure, but constitutes a stairway to the 1beach, It includes terraces that also function as slope
sta blllzafion.
SUGGESTED RF�LIEF
Very truly cprs,
f ")ENNI , f [:"YNOI..,DS L AW OFFICE
Dennis D,
Enclosures
8
Dcr
I' akx -flp
A,
The u mdersagm ed I . � 1 sinb Idge Island Code Compliance Officer hereby certifies and stales that„
Parcel Number
s
City, State, zip
4189 004 019 0006
Swne as above
ode J Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
DESCRIPTION or VIOLATION
'01 AWC 16, 12360 P&MR mp exonpNon npguir@d before undertaking development or ncdvl(y,
A Nrmfta Required
Specifleallyo The City has received a eomplaaW that you have built a retaining type ;you turr^ artcr a slide on your
learopuea�t. °, .. A check of die City's permit it system shows no halls being, issued -lor your ptol: .)euruy Involving a structure
pulau„ this,
4IVII, INFRACTION CITA0110N MAY LIE ISSUED FOR F",ACH AND 1 V111y DAY " lllaAl ll-ll
VIOLATION CONTINUES BEYOND THE [)X`1 �4 AND flTIME ESTABLISHED ISHED FOR CI >Rlll,L 11011,
I,wRI I L 7.11" `1`IO MAY B[i JSSA.dlwnl) FOR ANY SIJ wal. 1, E4N 1" VIOLATION(s) PE
R BINIC 1. 26,1001
Greg Vause
"ode Complmanee officer
°' odaI,ws atew 611,23 m14
IlPho seow 206 „780M94
w,
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