Benton County officials approve zone change for Buena Vista Arbor Care property

In a recent joint meeting held on March 12, 2025, the Corvallis City Council and Benton County officials delved into the complex history and future of a property currently zoned for urban residential use but long utilized for commercial purposes. The discussion centered around the property’s transition from its original designation in 1968 to its current status, highlighting its nonconforming commercial use that has persisted despite zoning restrictions.

The property, which has been under the ownership of Buena Vista Arbor Care and subsequently Bartlett Tree Care Services, has not seen any residential use since its zoning change back to urban residential in 1979. Officials noted that the last officially recognized commercial activity was the Lewisburg auction, which was deemed a nonconforming use. This designation allowed the property to continue its commercial operations despite being outside the current zoning regulations.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the property had previously faced significant issues, including being classified as a junkyard due to the accumulation of items that posed health and fire hazards. However, after Buena Vista Arbor Care took ownership, the site underwent a cleanup and rehabilitation process, leading to no recorded complaints from neighboring properties regarding its operations.

The conversation also touched on the implications of a potential zone change to urban commercial, which would align the property’s use with its current operations. Officials from the Oregon Department of Transportation and Benton County expressed no concerns about the proposed changes, indicating that the surrounding infrastructure, including roads and emergency services, would remain unaffected.

As the meeting progressed, the council reviewed the necessary criteria for the zone change application, which had been deemed complete following a pre-application conference. Both the City and County Planning Commissions had previously recommended approval for the comprehensive plan map and zone change, signaling a collaborative effort to address the property’s future.

With the property situated at a bustling intersection surrounded by existing commercial uses, the council anticipates that any impacts from the proposed changes would be minimal. The discussions reflect a broader commitment to balancing community needs with the realities of land use, as Corvallis navigates its growth and development in the coming years.