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Estacada council adopts development code amendments; psilocybin sales barred, new parking-modification process created
Summary
The Estacada City Council voted unanimously to adopt ordinance 2025-001, a package of development-code changes that removes some downtown minor-design public-notice requirements, creates a process for parking-modification requests, and codifies a voter-approved prohibition on psilocybin retail and related activities.
The Estacada City Council voted to adopt ordinance 2025-001, approving a package of development-code amendments that revise downtown design review, establish a parking modification process, and enshrine a local ban on psilocybin production, processing and retailing.
Alan (planning staff) told the council this was the second meeting in the adoption process and summarized the three main parts of the package: revisions to downtown design review procedures, a new process and standards for off-street parking modifications decided by the planning commission, and code language reflecting the November voter-approved prohibition on psilocybin businesses. "This is the second meeting, the adoption process for this small development codes package," Alan said during his presentation.
The downtown design-review changes remove the public-noticing requirement for Type 1 minor design reviews and clarify that repainting a structure with matching or similar paint does not trigger downtown design review. The parking-language amendments create a formal process allowing local businesses and property owners to request a modification to off-street parking requirements; the planning commission — not staff — is specified as the decision-maker under the proposed process, and the ordinance also allows for revocation of approved modifications under defined conditions. The code package renames a subsection to "controlled substances" and inserts definitions and prohibitions to implement the voter-approved ban on psilocybin sales, production, processing and service centers inside city limits.
After staff presentation the council took a roll-call vote. A motion to adopt ordinance 2025-001 with the planning commission findings passed on a 7-0 roll-call vote: Councilor Dolezal, Councilor McElroy, Councilor Metcalfe, Councilor Prokop, Councilor Strobel, Councilor Tenbush and Mayor Drinkwine all voted "yes." The motion language on the record was recorded as "I move to adopt ordinance 2025-001 with planning commission's findings as presented." The mover and seconder were not specified in the audio record.
The ordinance package was supported by the planning commission report, which found the amendments met applicable statewide planning goals and the city's comprehensive-plan policies; staff told council the changes are intended to streamline design reviews, respond to recent business licensing concerns about off-street parking, and implement the community's psilocybin prohibition.
The action is legislative and was recorded as adopted by vote. Councilors said the amendments will make some downtown design processes less burdensome and provide a predictable path for businesses seeking parking modifications. The council did not add or change the findings on the record.
What happens next: the ordinance adoption is the final local legislative action recorded at this meeting. Staff will proceed with implementing the code language as adopted and processing any pending applications under the revised rules.
