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, environmental, energy) to justify any local zoning exceptions and offered to help the community and county staff prepare and present materials to county and state decision-makers.

Details of the discussion

- Wingard identified several tools and precedents for rural housing and farm support: goal exceptions, overlays, conservation easements and targeted “go below” approaches used in other Oregon counties. He described his role as the field representative covering several counties and said he has worked on small-city planning and rural issues for years.

- Residents repeatedly said the village and valley lack affordable housing, that only one or a very small number of new sewer/water hookups remain available in the village, and that these constraints make it hard for young families and employees to locate locally. Janet, a longtime Alsea resident who identified herself as a realtor, said local families and workers cannot find affordable housing near the jobs they would do. “If someone has a choice of being in a condo or an apartment…out here they can have their own home affordable,” Janet said.

- Wingard cautioned that housing on resource lands carries potential conflicts with farming and forestry operations (noise, dust, spray) and said those trade-offs must be addressed in any zone-change or exception application. He repeatedly urged the CAC and planning commission to document how a local change would benefit the valley economically, socially and environmentally.

- Multiple residents suggested approaches that combine conservation tools with limited housing rights (for example, deed-restricted succession easements or permanent deed restrictions that limit number and placement of dwellings) to protect resource values while allowing housing for local workers. Wingard said such deed restrictions and conservation easements are tools that can be layered into a local solution and that community stories about how land is used can influence decisions.

Follow-up and next steps

Wingard offered to return for further meetings and to help the CAC and Benton County staff draft the documentation the county would need to pursue an MPA overlay or other targeted revisions. He advised the group to focus first on a clear local rationale (the ESEE analysis) and to coordinate with county planning staff on a formal path forward.

Quotes

- “I’m Patrick Wingard. I’m with the Department of Land Conservation Development… I’m a regional representative, so I’m your field rep,” Patrick Wingard said when introducing himself to the group.

- “If you can put pen to paper with your planning commission…we believe bringing the MPA back is important, and here are the reasons why,” Wingard told the committee.

- “If someone has a choice of being in a condo or an apartment…out here they can have their own home affordable,” Janet said of local housing preferences.

- “We don’t have a program person with the kind of experience to bring all these pieces together and work with a professional to develop…that’s our real issue,” Naomi Shadwick said, urging a staffed effort to coordinate projects and funding.

Ending

Wingard encouraged the CAC to coordinate with county planning staff and offered to assist the group and the planning commission as they prepare any formal request. Committee members agreed to continue work on local priorities and to engage staff on possible next steps.