The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners convened on November 13, 2024, for a public hearing to discuss an appeal regarding a denied land division request. The meeting, led by Chair John Schaefer, focused on the appeal filed by Calvin Garten, who sought to overturn the Umatilla County Planning Commission's unanimous decision to deny his application for a Type 2 land division.

The proposed partition aimed to create three lots, each at least two acres in size, on a property located south of Highway 730, approximately three miles west of the city of Umatilla. The planning staff, represented by Community Development Director Bob Walder, outlined the reasons for the initial denial, which included insufficient buildable space and the absence of a wetland delineation report. The staff noted that the proposed configuration did not meet the criteria for rural residential properties due to identified wetland areas and required setbacks.

During the hearing, the commissioners heard from the applicant and those in favor of the appeal, as well as opposition testimony. The planning staff reiterated the importance of adhering to the established criteria for land division, emphasizing the need for a wetland mitigation plan as part of the approval process.

The meeting concluded with the board considering the evidence presented and the implications of the appeal. The outcome of this hearing will determine whether the applicant can proceed with the proposed land division or if the planning commission's decision will stand. The commissioners are expected to deliberate further before issuing a final decision.