Multiple residents told the Oregon City Planning Commission Aug. 23 that they had planned small-scale farm enterprises (truck gardening, specialty dairy, tree farms) inside city limits and that a prior permitted-use clause allowing farms on lots 20,000 square feet or larger in certain single-family zones was removed in the adopted code. Speakers said the change could undercut small local producers and the network of support services (feed stores, veterinaries) that serve them.

Tam Seashultz described establishing a goat dairy and cheese operation on a three-acre property inside the city; she said staff told her the new code no longer lists farming as a permitted use in R-10/R-8/R-6 zones. Jackie Williams described an intent to operate an organic flower and herb farm on 3.25 acres and asked why property owners were not better notified. Planning staff confirmed the prior code had permitted "farms, commercial or truck gardening and horticultural nurseries on a lot not less than 20,000 square feet" in the older R-8/R-10 standards and that the clause was removed in the new adopted code. Staff clarified that existing, legally established farm uses are generally treated as nonconforming and may continue while the owner retains the use; new agricultural enterprises established after the effective date would not be allowed in those zones under the current code language. Several residents asked the commission to reopen discussion and consider amending the code to retain or clarify limited agricultural uses on larger lots; the commission directed staff to accept written comments and to address the issue as part of the Oct. 11 continuance.