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Hermiston approves urban growth boundary amendments, annexation ordinances; one councilor recuses on Amazon tie
Summary
The council adopted Ordinances 23-74 and 23-75 to amend the comprehensive plan and annex Feedville Road properties into the city; vote margins were 6–1 on 23-74 and 6–1 with one abstention on 23-75; one councilor recused due to an Amazon affiliation noted on the record.
Hermiston City Council adopted two ordinances to amend the city’s comprehensive plan and to annex property into the city’s urban growth boundary. City staff and councilors described the change as a step to open land for economic development and future industrial uses.
City Attorney Tubby read final titles for Ordinance 23-74 (amending the comprehensive plan, maps and zoning) and Ordinance 23-75 (annexing specified property on Feedville Road and withdrawing it from special districts). A councilor announced a recusal on the record, citing an affiliation with Amazon.
Councilors discussed water supply and transportation impacts raised by emails and questions from a councilor earlier in the meeting, including staff responses that development obligations would fund needed road upgrades and extensions. A councilor asked whether the city would assume ownership and repair costs for feeder roads; staff replied the developer would pay for required upgrades. Staff also provided written answers to water-usage questions; those answers were entered into the record for meeting minutes.
Councilors who spoke in favor described the ordinances as an economic opportunity. Councilor Kelso said, “I believe this presents an excellent economic opportunity for our city for growth and development, and I'm very much in favor of this ordinance.”
The council voted to adopt Ordinance 23-74; the motion passed 6–1 with Councilor Linton in opposition and another councilor unavailable. Council adopted Ordinance 23-75 by a similar margin; the minutes record a 6–1 outcome with one abstention and Councilor Linton opposed. The staff memo said both ordinances will become effective 30 days after co-adoption of mapped amendments by the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners and appropriate acknowledgment by the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission where required.
Staff noted the ordinances and supporting documents were presented during the August 25 public hearing and that no new public testimony would be accepted at this meeting. Councilors emphasized the need to continue public outreach and to ensure residents receive clear information on timelines and impacts as projects associated with the boundary change move forward.
