State land-use planner meets with Alsea residents on zoning, housing and ‘multipurpose agriculture’

Patrick Wingard, regional representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, told members of the Alsea Community Advisory Committee and residents that Benton County’s zoning and state rules can be adjusted locally if the community builds a clear case.

At a meeting of the Alsea CAC, Wingard said the county can pursue targeted zoning changes such as a return to a local multipurpose agriculture (MPA) designation or other “go below” exceptions to state-exclusive farm use (EFU) rules — but the county and community must document economic, social, environmental and energy effects. “If you can put pen to paper with your planning commission and say, hey…we believe bringing the MPA back is important, and here are the reasons why,” Wingard said.

Why it matters: Residents said the shortage of housing is hampering the community’s ability to retain teachers, clinic staff and farm workers and that existing restrictions on housing in resource zones make it hard for multigenerational farming and small-scale farms to survive. Wingard urged the group to prepare an ESEE analysis (economic, social,…