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Board advances Title 18 (Goal 5) clear-and-objective amendments; ODFW signaled conditional acceptance
Summary
Deschutes County presented proposed clear‑and‑objective edits to Title 18 (Goal 5 natural-resources protections); the board closed the hearing and later voted to close deliberations and move toward adoption, with staff noting Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reviewed and found the approach acceptable within limits.
Deschutes County staff presented a package of clear‑and‑objective code changes for Title 18 (Goal 5 — natural resources, scenic areas and open space) at a May 20 public hearing and the Board voted to close deliberations and move the package toward ordinance adoption.
Tanya Salzman, senior planner, and consultants from MIG described the amendments as a technical translation: maintaining the acknowledged Goal 5 inventories and protection levels while providing objective criteria to meet state requirements under House Bill 3197. Examples included converting discretionary language about building colors and reflective roofing into measurable standards (a defined palette of muted earth tones, and roof material light reflectance value thresholds) and identifying specific objective criteria for wildlife‑habitat setbacks and building locations relative to existing development.
Staff said the county worked closely with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and other stakeholders. ODFW acknowledged the inherent challenges in translating discretionary habitat protections to objective rules but told staff the county’s approach — referencing prior ecological (EC) analyses and retaining discretionary pathways where appropriate — was acceptable. Public commenters and the planning commission raised concerns about possible unintended effects on rural housing and wildfire risk; commissioners discussed defensible‑space and tree‑planting standards during the hearing.
After the presentation and questions, the board closed the public hearing and, later in the session, voted to close deliberations and proceed toward ordinance adoption; the board asked staff to return with ordinance language and timed implementation. Staff said additional Title 12 (roads, sidewalks and public places) amendments will be coordinated with Title 18 adoption where necessary.
