Yamhill County commissioners direct removal of Westsider Trail from county transportation plan after public debate

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners voted 2–1 on Oct. 24 to direct the county planning director to begin an amendment process to repeal Ordinance 880 and remove the Yam H ellas Westsider Trail from the county Transportation System Plan (TSP).

The motion to begin the repeal and TSP amendment was made by Chair Johnston and passed with Commissioners Starett and Johnston voting aye and Commissioner King voting nay.

Why it matters: The Westsider project — referred to in county materials as a rails-with-trail corridor — has been a contentious local issue for years. Supporters said the corridor would provide safe walking and biking routes, recreation and economic benefits for small towns along the route. Opponents criticized the project’s association with a potential future rail corridor and raised concerns about impacts to adjacent landowners and county finances.

Public comment at today’s meeting was lengthy and sharply divided. Dozens of residents spoke for and against keeping the corridor in the TSP. Several speakers urged the board to keep the corridor in the plan for active-transportation and utility access; others urged its removal because of the project’s history and potential future rail use.

Representative public comments included: - Sonda Martin, Newberg resident: said last-minute placement of the agenda item and prior conduct by commissioners undermined public trust and transparency. - Philip Forve, McMinnville resident: urged county leaders to seek “win‑win” solutions and to engage with stakeholders who oppose the project rather than remove it outright. - Lindsey Bershauer, former county commissioner: urged removal from the TSP and said the project’s language in Ordinance 880 contemplates future rail use, which she said should not remain in the county’s transportation plan without broader public approval.

During discussion, Commissioner King voiced a concern unrelated to contentious public testimony: removing the specific project from the TSP could close off some future options for using the corridor for utilities or intergovernmental water supply connections. King said, in part, “if we remove this, now, sooner rather than later, we can start to take away some of that opportunity.” Administrator Ken Hoefer replied that removing the project from the TSP would not by itself prevent use of the right of way for utilities so long as the county retained the underlying rights.

Board direction and next steps: The action today starts a formal public process. The board’s motion directs the planning director to begin the ordinance repeal and TSP amendment; the change will go through the county’s planning commission for public hearings and then return to the Board of Commissioners for additional hearings before any final removal is adopted.

Vote: Motion passed (2–1). Commissioners Starett and Johnston voted aye; Commissioner King voted nay.

Context: County staff and speakers noted the corridor has been under discussion for more than a decade and had previously been described in county materials as a “rails-with-trail” project. Proponents emphasized safety, recreation and tourism benefits; opponents emphasized landowner impacts and the possibility of future rail use. Officials also noted the county maintains a dedicated fund for bicycle and pedestrian paths and that separate planning efforts (including a George Fox University study of county roads) are underway to identify safer on-road or off-road routes.

Ending note: Staff said property owners adjacent to the corridor and other stakeholders will receive mailed notice; the planning commission and then the board will hold public hearings before any final ordinance repeal or TSP amendment is adopted.