Hillsboro council approves sewer, zoning and speed changes; adopts park SDC methodology

HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Hillsboro City Council on Jan. 7 adopted several ordinances and resolutions covering utility charges, land-use standards, a local speed limit and park system development charges, and advanced an annexation measure to a second reading.

The items were taken largely without extended debate. Mayor Steve Calloway opened and closed the public hearing on the sanitary sewer and surface-water rates before the council moved to adopt the governing resolution. Councilors then approved a community development code amendment, a temporary speed-zone ordinance, and a parks-related methodology update. After the swearing-in and a brief ceremonial portion, the newly constituted council adopted an order for an applicant-initiated annexation and advanced the implementing annexation ordinance to first reading. The council also adopted a resolution establishing a process to appoint a replacement for a vacant Ward 1 seat.

Why it matters: The actions change local utility billing policy, adjust development standards used by applicants and staff, set a temporary traffic speed limit on a city arterial, and update the methodology used to calculate park system development charges for a new subdivision. The annexation moves a development project through the city’s land-use and annexation process; the appointment resolution sets the method to fill a council vacancy.

Key votes and outcomes

- Resolution No. 2868 — Sanitary sewer and surface-water rates and charges (includes a 2% administrative fee on clean water service charges and an adjustment to the local portion of the industrial sewer rate). Motion: “So moved.” Mover: Councilor Pace. Second: Councilor Martin. Roll-call indicated unanimous approval. Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance No. 6493 — Community Development Code Amendment 006-23 (major adjustments to public benefits standards; clarifies terminology and updates list of public benefits and examples). Motion: “So moved.” Mover: Councilor Pace. Second: Councilor Martin. Roll-call indicated unanimous approval. Outcome: adopted.

- Ordinance No. 6494 — Temporary 30 mph speed zone on Southeast Davis Road (from Southeast River Road to Century Boulevard); council also requested ODOT begin a speed-zone investigation for a permanent limit. Motion: “So moved.” Mover: Councilor Pace. Second: Councilor Martin. Roll-call recorded six ayes. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution No. 2869 — Witch Hazel Village South supplemental park system development charge methodology. Motion: “So moved.” Mover: Councilor Pace. Second: Councilor Martin. Roll-call recorded unanimous approval among voting councilors. Outcome: adopted.

- Order No. 24 and Ordinance No. 6495 — Butternut Woods annexation and zone change (applicant-initiated annexation; city-initiated zone change to apply R-6 and R-7 residential zoning to approximately 18.4 acres). Planning staff presented the proposal and said no written testimony had been submitted prior to the hearing. Public testimony included a brief virtual statement from the applicant’s representative. Motion to adopt Order No. 24: Mover: Councilor Harris; Second: Councilor Sinclair. Roll-call: recorded as passed; the ordinance’s second reading and final adoption was scheduled for Jan. 21. Outcome: order adopted; first reading of annexation ordinance passed.

- Resolution No. 2870 — Process to appoint a replacement for Ward 1, Position A, council seat. Motion: “So moved.” Mover: Councilor Harris. Second: Councilor Case. Council discussion emphasized the appointment as an opportunity for someone to learn local government; roll-call recorded the motion as approved. Outcome: adopted.

Discussion vs. decisions

Most items on the Jan. 7 consent and action agendas were approved with brief staff presentations or no discussion. The annexation and zone-change matter (Butternut Woods) had a staff presentation and a short virtual statement from the applicant’s representative before the council adopted the order and moved the implementing ordinance to a second reading. The temporary speed zone included a council comment expressing support for lower speeds in a highly trafficked area and a request that ODOT consider making the change permanent after investigation.

Speakers (listed in the meeting record)

- Steve Calloway — Mayor (presiding early in the meeting). First referenced at 00:32:57 in the transcript. - Beach Pace — Councilor (moved multiple motions); later sworn in as mayor. First referenced at 00:31:19. - Anthony Martin — Councilor (seconded multiple motions). First referenced at 00:31:19. - Karen Sinclair — Councilor (voted on ordinances and resolutions). First referenced at 00:31:19. - Rick Van Beveren — Councilor (voted on ordinances and resolutions). First referenced at 00:31:19. - Gina Sanchez Rouletto — Councilor (voted on ordinances and resolutions). First referenced at 00:31:19. - Aubrey Alcare — Councilor (voted on ordinances and resolutions). First referenced at 00:31:19. - Dan (last name not stated) — Planning staff presenting the Butternut Woods annexation. First referenced at 01:03:11. - Wayne Hayson — Pioneer Design Group, applicant representative for the annexation; spoke virtually to thank staff. First referenced at 01:06:24.

Authorities referenced in the meeting record

- Resolution No. 2868 — referenced during public hearing and adoption (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]). - Ordinance No. 6493 — Community Development Code Amendment 006-23 (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]). - Ordinance No. 6494 — Temporary speed-zone ordinance (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]). - Resolution No. 2869 — Witch Hazel Village South SDC methodology (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]). - Order No. 24 and Ordinance No. 6495 — Butternut Woods annexation and zone change (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]). - Resolution No. 2870 — Ward 1, Position A appointment process (referenced_by: ["votes-at-a-glance-2025-01-07"]).

Clarifying details

- Butternut Woods annexation area: approximately 18.4 acres; proposed city zoning: a mix of R-6 and R-7 residential zones (planning staff presentation). The staff report said no written testimony had been received prior to the hearing. - Temporary speed zone: 30 miles per hour on Southeast Davis Road from Southeast River Road to Century Boulevard; council requested ODOT initiate an investigation for a permanent limit.

Ending

The council handled several routine policy and land-use items in a single meeting, advancing one annexation to a second reading and adopting an appointment process to fill a council vacancy. Several actions were unanimous or near-unanimous among the councilors present. The annexation ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption at the Jan. 21 meeting.