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County sets ADU hearing dates; planner says state law blocks ADUs in 3 Rivers and Camp Sherman
Summary
Jefferson County community development presented a timeline for accessory dwelling unit (ADU) code changes, with a first hearing set for Aug. 6 and a proposed effective date of Dec. 3; staff warned that state definitions prevent ADUs in some recreation or conditionally‑zoned areas including 3 Rivers and Camp Sherman.
Community Development staff presented a Gantt chart for a proposed accessory dwelling unit ordinance and asked the board for direction on public notice and hearing dates at the July 2 meeting.
Derek, the county’s community development director, said the draft ordinance would be published July 30 and that the first hearing is scheduled for Aug. 6, with a proposed second hearing on Sept. 3 to accommodate LUBA timelines; he said a target effective date would be Dec. 3 if the schedule holds. “We’re currently slated to have the first hearing of the proposed ordinance on August 6,” Derek said.
Staff and commissioners discussed planned outreach: a public meeting at Crooked River Ranch on July 9 and local engagement around the region. Derek said staff will prepare a one‑page summary of where the ordinance would and would not apply and invited commissioners to supply anticipated talking points to address public questions.
Derek told the commission that state statute and administrative definitions limit where counties may allow ADUs. He said 3 Rivers is a recreation zone that only conditionally allows single‑family residences and therefore does not meet the state definition of a residentially zoned area; Camp Sherman’s zoning also precludes ADUs under the state rule. “So for that reason, under this legislation, we cannot allow ADUs at the 3 Rivers area as it currently is written,” he said.
Commissioners discussed possible local adjustments — for example, increasing setbacks or working through homeowners’ associations’ architectural review processes — that could narrow impacts if residents express concern about proximity or sightlines. Derek said staff would prepare mapping layers showing which lots meet minimum acreage, setbacks and septic constraints so residents can see whether an ADU is feasible on their parcel before they invest in plans.
Ending: Staff will publish the draft on July 30 if the board authorizes public notice, hold the Aug. 6 hearing and pursue a Sept. 3 second hearing to preserve procedural timelines. County staff emphasized that state law sets hard limits on where ADUs can be authorized and that the proposed code will use objective siting criteria and a short review checklist to reduce unnecessary design work for applicants.
