[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6608122,"mediaKeyId","2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3","parentId",2941196,"title","State land-use planner meets with Alsea residents on zoning, housing and ‘multipurpose agriculture’","audioSeconds",3068,"startMs",2307000,"endMs",5375000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3&start=2307&end=5375","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3/thumbnail_2307000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608122/Benton-County/Oregon/State-land-use-planner-meets-with-Alsea-residents-on-zoning-housing-and-multipurpose-agriculture","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608122-12a8c9196cd9d1200534e516640f0eb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=bCXYKFaqso0pfpASkExQwIq38HBi4rBJyb9OjoGNX5jKM-N2kZOEv-ZDHH~3kilGeua8rhfZaoNKEondr72joxGnneJHKLDqYeViGdSs0-bn2QJQb3~VCx4hKfhChJkVkRV35PqJiAz4~1zsiNuUovLTvaIOngoLNoL8sXDS8x0-79qrngrQEljcYTlm6DJSUdTTA0YkkFIFLNPeIKfbPoW7a-khfCPNLDuU5QKr059PNQLyP5IM-TBuqQ9bf02w3ItyxHQsB81-8ZgDFK7tUZkqmNY0RGvWL2Mw6UAoBfKm2G7yslEk58vtnSZku2LvRz5UHZOhEOUVTV1wTRNRUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Benton County, AR","date","2025-04-10T07:00:57.887Z","article","Patrick Wingard, regional representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, told members of the Alsea Community Advisory Committee and residents that Benton County’s zoning and state rules can be adjusted locally if the community builds a clear case.

At a meeting of the Alsea CAC, Wingard said the county can pursue targeted zoning changes such as a return to a local multipurpose agriculture (MPA) designation or other “go below” exceptions to state-exclusive farm use (EFU) rules — but the county and community must document economic, social, environmental and energy effects. “If you can put pen to paper with your planning commission and say, hey…we believe bringing the MPA back is important, and here are the reasons why,” Wingard said.

Why it matters: Residents said the shortage of housing is hampering the community’s ability to retain teachers, clinic staff and farm workers and that existing restrictions on housing in resource zones make it hard for multigenerational farming and small-scale farms to survive. Wingard urged the group to prepare an ESEE analysis (economic, social, environmental, energy) to justify any local zoning exceptions and offered to help the community and county staff prepare and present materials to county and state decision-makers.

Details of the discussion

- Wingard identified several tools and precedents for rural housing and farm support: goal exceptions, overlays, conservation easements and targeted “go below” approaches used in other Oregon counties. He described his role as the field representative covering several counties and said he has worked on small-city planning and rural issues for years.

- Residents repeatedly said the village and valley lack affordable housing, that only one or a very small number of new sewer/water hookups remain available in the village, and that these constraints make it hard for young families and employees to locate locally. Janet, a longtime Alsea resident who identified herself as a realtor, said local families and workers cannot find affordable housing near the jobs they would do. “If someone has a choice of being in a condo or an apartment…out here they can have their own home affordable,” Janet said.

- Wingard cautioned that housing on resource lands carries potential conflicts with farming and forestry operations (noise, dust, spray) and said those trade-offs must be addressed in any zone-change or exception application. He repeatedly urged the CAC and planning commission to document how a local change would benefit the valley economically, socially and environmentally.

- Multiple residents suggested approaches that combine conservation tools with limited housing rights (for example, deed-restricted succession easements or permanent deed restrictions that limit number and placement of dwellings) to protect resource values while allowing housing for local workers. Wingard said such deed restrictions and conservation easements are tools that can be layered into a local solution and that community stories about how land is used can influence decisions.

Follow-up and next steps

Wingard offered to return for further meetings and to help the CAC and Benton County staff draft the documentation the county would need to pursue an MPA overlay or other targeted revisions. He advised the group to focus first on a clear local rationale (the ESEE analysis) and to coordinate with county planning staff on a formal path forward.

Quotes

- “I’m Patrick Wingard. I’m with the Department of Land Conservation Development… I’m a regional representative, so I’m your field rep,” Patrick Wingard said when introducing himself to the group.

- “If you can put pen to paper with your planning commission…we believe bringing the MPA back is important, and here are the reasons why,” Wingard told the committee.

- “If someone has a choice of being in a condo or an apartment…out here they can have their own home affordable,” Janet said of local housing preferences.

- “We don’t have a program person with the kind of experience to bring all these pieces together and work with a professional to develop…that’s our real issue,” Naomi Shadwick said, urging a staffed effort to coordinate projects and funding.

Ending

Wingard encouraged the CAC to coordinate with county planning staff and offered to assist the group and the planning commission as they prepare any formal request. Committee members agreed to continue work on local priorities and to engage staff on possible next steps.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 6, 2025 Alsea CAC Meeting Benton County Oregon","oneSentenceSummary","Patrick Wingard, regional representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, told members of the Alsea Community Advisory Committee and residents that Benton County’s zoning and state rules can be adjusted locally if the community builds a clear case.","taxTitle","Benton County, Oregon","taxId",8787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608109,"Alsea CAC approves minutes from Dec. 2 meeting",27,7268000,7295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3&start=7268&end=7295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3/thumbnail_7268000.jpg","/articles/6608109/Benton-County/Oregon/Alsea-CAC-approves-minutes-from-Dec-2-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608109-bf1174e695f5024ae65098c56fb08b3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=eEX-cl1LRf32YCTzAOedhO5pczpuUbjJ4PwyjiYAC3FAWHrK2ZxB8PZ1IAHAAx1t65krRSKbIu-3YX3OlOkPJ1cBgd2IdqaWQlo~OIXuQOIFG00ngRAP5EAUWrB1L-zJv~j5~bwOjA6O9nqqjddRPl9Bb~CYGlqXBACLKZxtKiHnbILbOvpw5zjzgMxfIYlqu9vNU4Ywq7HnaaTxGRhsj2uVthtUypwYWEW8A9ZpyUWKSgsTUlRuXJFAUy4uRhBIVOdcJNi~s83keo5uGoilofq8fVYhehoWMtN0~M-shkp3nqcTb23Z0ytsy31a082M5ovp8CW0vTS6AxLBdKANsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alsea Community Advisory Committee approved the minutes from its Dec. 2 meeting by voice vote. A motion to approve was made and the chair called the question; members responded with affirmative votes and the minutes were recorded as approved unanimously.

The committee’s chair or clerk recorded the approval in the meeting minutes and closed the meeting. No conditions or amendments to the minutes were recorded in the public transcript.

","Committee members voted to approve the minutes from the December 2 meeting; the approval was recorded as unanimous in the meeting minutes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608113,"Residents welcome new crosswalk lighting and flashing speed signs; mayoral safety measures under observation",72,1948000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3&start=1948&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","/articles/6608113/Benton-County/Oregon/Residents-welcome-new-crosswalk-lighting-and-flashing-speed-signs-mayoral-safety-measures-under-observation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608113-3822d73a1f026e59be273239e211164f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=Er3OSxzRwBduglnPsa~fZ9bLKy0Ve2Agx1XrN7l42KcWMXJpHTzP6KJo0cfIPkrY4MYlPi1nGnX65ZHQraRxPArQ9y9XRYC2YIfOH8fHXEc-3r~s3Ct7HLYxvEt29gLcKHRlCtz-IHOiTdqeHPLWdBxWVUWhgR9BrmIUSaFQs5xTszNOtxSWBDotXSDueVsudLged1DevLhU~efLbOJcADSPoZWZ6W9-keuIIuL0tE3MtXh4cKgqAqSbWOIgnIxX5o5jq0fdqwc6qCsmxugkEOJHnfn5JMVuZiKmM4oOaHwrT8OETiVHDHkCVu9Ozobr4hQ2Rhn0sbC2n38nhcz6Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents at the Alsea Community Advisory Committee meeting described several recent traffic-safety installations and said they hope the new measures will slow cars through town.

Several speakers said the county had installed a solar-powered flashing speed sign and a new streetlight over a pedestrian crossing near the school. One resident described the solar sign as “installed…you cannot miss it,” and committee members said they expected it to be a deterrent to speeding.

Residents said increased visual cues (flashing signs, street lighting, crosswalk improvements) are welcome but questioned whether they would be sufficient to slow traffic. Suggestions ranged from additional signage to enforcement and monitoring. Committee members agreed to observe whether the new devices reduce speed and to continue dialogues with county public-safety staff.

Quotes

- “Today they put up the solar powered big sign. I didn't take a picture, but it says slow down,” one resident said.

Ending

The group did not adopt formal traffic measures during the meeting but agreed to monitor how the signs and lighting affect driver speeds and pedestrian safety near the school.

","Committee members reported new flashing speed-limit signs and a streetlight over a school crossing; residents said the measures may help, but emphasized the need to monitor driver behavior and possible further traffic-calming measures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608117,"Alsea residents raise storm-drain and water-quality concerns to county and LCDC staff",4556,219000,4775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3&start=219&end=4775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941196-af254ecdc8c6b0db8b8f48fc45b8f2d3/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/6608117/Benton-County/Oregon/Alsea-residents-raise-storm-drain-and-water-quality-concerns-to-county-and-LCDC-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608117-b94c76c23bc4630592084024ff6aef28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181753&Signature=jlpIftA6-WNyFLBgwGTdj0t5Zd4-lSWqjb~QMCLX5QYCLyV-I67mcFF0HwJAhCfitbVEVAMVpJxxK-MdJPD7qNzWmRAvqlBZtINRvCsQIECcnw~IvylUD0zwvsQJT2BDV0YhZSqwhLIf0XmeIl60Cq4mOesYBlNP5zTE~xZiGApXZPooLVUZ0SwKuj0etrCCQ1qqnMF5V7mnTzdzDIyD~8ILTkXnqwQtUg18cpCvX4V2WoDSGG6HWYcZlAkXuW78gtWo5AHy2E9pcKgIkjC9OaS3xeY2YwHD~EnQ~QvbSfyl3cq5KoNwOCoARvOCfbZaoXVwgm-d2Dj7UlYXYIy85w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Local residents described storm-drain and surface-water problems after recent road and sidewalk work, telling the Alsea Community Advisory Committee that runoff from the hill is not reaching new or existing drains and is flooding yards and village properties.

Resident John Tittman described water running from a hill, failing to reach a new drain in front of the old bank building and noted possible broken drainage in a field. “There was a water issue…this is an underground water coming off the mountain,” Tittman said during public comment. He later provided his address for the record.

Residents and committee members discussed who is responsible for the work and whether Oregon Department of Transportation or county crews are leading projects. County staff said the county is a partner on the work and that the county has been notified about the drainage problems. Participants repeatedly urged county crews to inspect drains during heavy rain to see where surface flows are going.

Funding and systems

- A resident asked whether county maintenance or special funds intended for sewer projects could be used to address the runoff that is overwhelming sewer infrastructure in parts of town. County staff said sewer funds are for maintenance and repair, not expansion; a separate water-tank project was completed as a separate undertaking.

- Naomi Shadwick and others urged a basin-wide engineer’s assessment of springs and subsurface water. Shadwick said a blanket hydrologic evaluation would help determine where water originates and how it should be managed rather than relying on ad hoc fixes.

Practical considerations and constraints

Participants and staff warned that designing and implementing a durable stormwater solution would be expensive and complex, requiring basin-scale hydrologic and hydraulic analyses. County and state representatives said channelizing or piping runoff can move problems downstream and may have cumulative impacts on river flood levels; residents said localized solutions such as buried pipe have been used on private property.

Ending

Committee members agreed to keep the drainage issues on an ongoing action list and to ask county public-works staff to inspect problem locations during heavy rains. Naomi Shadwick and others asked the committee to explore funding and engineering assistance for a larger assessment of springs and drainage.

Quotes

- “There was a water issue…this is an underground water coming off the mountain,” John Tittman said in public comment.

- “Their maintenance and repair funds, but not expansion funds,” county staff said when asked about sewer funding.

- “We don't have a program person with the kind of experience to bring all these pieces together and work with a professional to develop…that’s our real issue,” Naomi Shadwick said, urging a staffed effort to coordinate funding and technical work.

","Residents reported new storm drains and sidewalk work that they say has redirected or blocked runoff, flooding yards and affecting wells. Speakers urged engineering assessment of underground springs and county follow-up; participants asked whether existing sewer maintenance funds could be used for drainage fixes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

State land-use planner meets with Alsea residents on zoning, housing and ‘multipurpose agriculture’

Alsea CAC approves minutes from Dec. 2 meeting

Residents welcome new crosswalk lighting and flashing speed signs; mayoral safety measures under observation

Alsea residents raise storm-drain and water-quality concerns to county and LCDC staff