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Planning commission recommends annexation of six right‑of‑way segments into Lebanon city limits
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended that city council annex portions of Crowfoot Road, Key Street, Walsam Street and three segments of Stoltz Hill Road to bring those right‑of‑way segments inside city jurisdiction; staff emphasized the action applies only to rights‑of‑way and does not force private property annexation.
The Lebanon Planning Commission unanimously recommended annexation of six public right‑of‑way segments (A‑25‑01) into city limits, forwarding the recommendation to city council after hearing staff explanations and public questions.
Planning staff said the proposal covers only right‑of‑way segments — portions of Crowfoot Road, Key Street, Walsam Street and three segments of Stoltz Hill Road — and does not annex private land. The stated purpose is to clean up boundary lines inside the urban growth boundary so the city has jurisdiction over those streets for police enforcement, nuisance enforcement, and engineering permits when development occurs.
Staff noted the action will make permitting and maintenance clearer by placing the road segments under a single permitting authority rather than splitting review between the city and Linn County. Staff also said the annexation itself does not require immediate street improvements; developers will be required to build curb, gutter and sidewalk across their frontage when they develop, and the city plans to execute road‑transfer agreements with Linn County where appropriate (Crowfoot Road was cited as an example).
Several residents spoke in the public‑comment segment with questions and concerns. Peter Wolfs of Key Street asked whether annexation would force homeowners to join the city; staff responded multiple times that private property owners are not being annexed and that annexation of the right‑of‑way does not force property owners to annex unless they request or require city utilities or choose to redevelop. Staff referenced state practice and county coordination: properties within 300 feet of a sewer main may be required to connect if utilities are available (questions about that process were directed to Linn County and DEQ/regulatory practice).
Amanda Pinner of Crowfoot Road asked what benefit the city receives; staff answered that clean jurisdictional lines speed permitting and maintenance and reduce duplicated county/city reviews as development proceeds. Staff acknowledged an increased maintenance load for city public works but said the annexation came from the city engineering office and the department is prepared to take on the added jurisdiction.
Staff said two written comments were received and provided to the commission; one contained multiple questions about utility costs and process that staff agreed to follow up on outside the hearing.
A commissioner moved that the planning commission recommend approval of annexation A‑25‑01 to the city council based on the staff report findings; a second was made and the motion passed unanimously. The commission recorded no dissenting votes.
