Grants Pass city council approves annexation and zoning changes on Allen Creek Road

The City Council of Grants Pass convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss significant developments regarding the annexation and zoning of properties along Allen Creek Road. The meeting began with a presentation by Bradley Clark from the Community Development Department, who outlined the agenda items related to the annexation of several parcels into city limits.

Clark explained that the initiative to annex these properties began over three years ago, stemming from a community forum focused on housing development. The council identified the Allen Creek area as a prime location for expansion due to planned transportation improvements and the presence of unannexed rural properties. The goal is to streamline the development process for potential housing projects by preemptively annexing and rezoning these areas.

The council reviewed a total of nine properties, including five privately owned and four city-owned parcels. Currently, these properties are zoned under Josephine County regulations, which restrict development to larger lot sizes. The proposed city zoning classifications of R-2 and R-3 would allow for higher density housing, significantly increasing the potential housing supply in the area.

During the meeting, Clark noted that the Planning Commission had previously held a public hearing and recommended approval of the annexation and zoning changes. All property owners involved submitted written consent, and no public comments were received prior to the meeting.

The council proceeded with a two-step voting process. First, they unanimously approved the annexation of the parcels into the city limits. Following this, they also unanimously passed the zoning amendments for the affected properties. The council emphasized the importance of these actions in facilitating sustainable growth and addressing the housing supply challenge in Grants Pass.

In conclusion, the council's decisions mark a significant step towards enhancing housing opportunities in the Allen Creek area, with the expectation that development applications will follow as infrastructure improvements progress. The next steps will involve formal adjustments by the Josephine County Assessor and the Oregon Department of Revenue to reflect the changes in jurisdiction.