Conservation groups urge pause on West Hills subdivision over loss of Oregon white oak

McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Several residents and conservation leaders told the City Council they oppose a recently approved amendment to the West Hills subdivision, saying the project would destroy rare Oregon white oak habitat and remove hundreds of mature trees.

Barbara Boyer, chair of the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), told the council the February approval to amend the West Hills subdivision will “eliminate approximately 50 acres of mixed woodland, primarily Oregon white oak.” Boyer said the SWCD and its partners have worked for decades to preserve oak habitat and that the habitat is in long‑term decline across the Willamette Valley.

“Once they are gone, they will never come back in our lifetime or the lifetimes of our grandchildren’s children,” Boyer said, urging the council to complete a habitat analysis and consider ordinances to protect Oregon white oak within the city limits.

Why it matters: Commenters described the oak stands and older trees as irreplaceable habitat for native species and called the city’s mitigation approach inadequate. Boyer said the SWCD had helped secure federal conservation funding and was available to collaborate on conservation strategies.

Other public testimony Resident Valerie Anton called the hillside forest “magnificent” and questioned the logic of approving near‑400 dwelling units on steep, wooded ground while the region faces climate and wildfire concerns. Anton and several speakers urged the council to let residents vote on such large conversions of open space.

Clarifying details raised in public comment - The SWCD said the recent amendment to West Hills will remove about 50 acres and that reporting in the local paper estimated “at least 900 trees” would be cut. - A number cited in public remarks for the proposed subdivision footprint was roughly 392 dwellings; commenters also mentioned a proposed tree‑mitigation payment of about $500 per tree as insufficient to replace mature canopy.

What the speakers asked the council to do Speakers urged a moratorium on new approvals that would convert identified oak habitat until the city completed an analysis and adopted protective rules. Boyer specifically requested ordinances to protect Oregon white oak and said SWCD staff could advise city staff, developers and councilors on best practices.

Ending Councilors did not act on the public comments during the work session; speakers left the council with a request that staff follow up on the SWCD’s offer of technical assistance.

Speakers: Barbara Boyer (chair, Yamhill SWCD); Valerie Anton (McMinnville resident); Emily Kerrigan (McMinnville resident).

sections":{"lede":"McMINNVILLE, Ore. — Several residents and conservation leaders told the City Council they oppose a recently approved amendment to the West Hills subdivision, saying the project would destroy rare Oregon white oak habitat and remove hundreds of mature trees.","nut_graf":"The Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District called for a pause on approvals to allow a habitat analysis and ordinance work to protect Oregon white oak within the city.","ending":"No council action was taken; commenters asked staff to follow up and offered technical assistance."},