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Planning Commission Meeting

Highlights

  • 🗣️ Public comment (led by Strong Towns) challenged the history of the 855-acre UGB concept plan, arguing the TGM grant may no longer apply and urging the city to “right-size” any future boundary.
  • 🧭 Staff confirmed the next Planning Commission milestone is to translate the RAC’s preferred growth area into draft mapping alternatives that align with the adopted Housing Needs Analysis (HNA).
  • 🧑‍⚖️ City Attorney Jeff Crane walked through the legal framework: HNAs are mandatory, the city’s HNA appeal is currently stayed at LUBA, and nothing prevents the commission from continuing concept-plan work during that pause.
  • 🏘️ Commissioners debated whether landowner willingness should influence mapping; staff reminded them the statewide planning program requires identifying sufficient buildable land regardless of short-term seller interest.

Notes

  • Public Comment Concerns

    • Ron Bunch (Strong Towns) contended the existing TGM grant was tailored to the rescinded 855-acre UGB—one allegedly geared toward semiconductors and large warehouses. He questioned whether the ex-mayor had council authorization for the original IGA, noted the HB 4026 referendum fight, and urged the city to revisit employment/housing projections before moving ahead.
    • He asked the commission to ensure any new concept plan reflects current political reality, updated code, and explicit community support for land uses like data centers.

  • Staff Direction on Next Steps

    • Planning staff emphasized that the RAC’s months-long engagement still carries weight; commissioners should use its findings (workforce housing focus north of town) as the baseline when sketching mapping scenarios.
    • Even if property owners are undecided today, the commission’s task is to plan infrastructure (roads, sewer, water, open space) so future annexations have a blueprint. This stage is far upstream of any annexation or zoning decision.
    • Staff reiterated the TGM grant now runs through June 2026, but the mapping, infrastructure, and code work must accelerate to stay within that window.

  • Legal Clarifications

    • City Attorney Crane reminded members that Oregon law requires every city to maintain a 20-year land supply via an HNA; saying otherwise is inaccurate.
    • The city’s HNA has been appealed by 1000 Friends of Oregon, yet both parties agreed to stay that appeal while the RAC, Planning Commission, and Council reconsider where growth should occur.
    • Because the appeal is stayed—not vacated—the commission can keep working. The eventual concept plan (and accompanying findings) will help resolve the appeal once the city files its revised UGB package.

  • Commission Questions

    • Vice Chair Labonte asked whether the new map must mirror the RAC’s preferred footprint or if the commission could start from scratch. Staff encouraged honoring the RAC but acknowledged the commission can recommend adjustments.
    • Commissioner House raised concerns about unwilling sellers. Staff noted historical feedback: opposition has been limited mainly to smaller lots south of Highway 26; larger tracts north and east generally supported inclusion. Regardless, statewide planning focuses on need, not willingness.

Follow-Ups

  • Commissioners to review the RAC materials and come prepared to discuss draft mapping scenarios at the next work session.
  • Planning staff will bring map overlays (infrastructure, environmental constraints, RAC focus areas) so commissioners can start sketching specific UGB alternatives.
  • Legal staff to keep the commission informed about the stayed HNA/LUBA timeline and any filings required once the concept plan advances.

Video Recording