McMinnville updates natural‑resources and natural‑hazards planning as FEMA rules tighten floodplain approvals

Heather Richards, McMinnville Community Development director, told a joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission that staff has completed inventories and draft code chapters intended to implement Oregon land‑use Goal 5 (scenic, historic and natural resources) and Goal 7 (natural hazards) and will seek public hearings and adoption next year.

The update described where the city is in the multiyear “McMinnville Mindfully” planning program: inventories and draft policies are complete, Winterbrook Planning prepared hazard and resource maps in 2021, and staff drafted a new comprehensive‑plan natural‑features chapter and proposed code amendments including a Natural Resources Overlay (proposed Chapter 17.47), a Natural Hazards Overlay (proposed Chapter 17.49) and tree‑code changes to Chapter 17.58.

Why it matters: the package would change where development is allowed in riparian corridors, how the city treats significant and landmark trees on private property, and what applicants must submit to get permits in flood plains subject to new federal and state requirements.

What staff presented

- Inventory and consultants: Winterbrook Planning completed data collection and mapping of floodplains, steep slopes/landslide risk, liquefaction soils, wildfire exposure and seismic risk; staff also inventoried riparian corridors, tree groves and scenic viewpoints.

- Riparian setbacks and the safe harbor: Richards said the city followed the statute’s safe harbor for riparian corridors and recommended setbacks of 75 feet from top of…