Oregon City Planning Commission approves two emergency annexations to allow sewer hookups

The Oregon City Planning Commission on Nov. 24 unanimously approved two emergency annexations that will bring 19717 Leland Road and 19530 South Central Point Road into city limits to allow hookups to city sewer service.

Commission staff told the commission both properties faced failing septic systems and received city sewer service this summer as part of life-safety repairs. Staff said the annexations bring the lots into the city but do not include a zone change; the properties will remain in the FU-10 (future urban 10-acre) holding zone and no development is proposed as part of the applications.

Staff outlined annexation factors that these parcels satisfy, including contiguity with existing city boundaries, access to utilities and the absence of island-creation. Staff recommended the City Commission concur with withdrawing the properties from certain county service districts and with administrative annexation into the Tri-Cities Sewer District as needed.

Property owners Curt and Charlotte James (Leland Road) and Ryan Cook (Central Point) attended the hearing and said they were eager to complete the annexation so sewer connections and permitting can move forward. Staff told the commission the city allowed sewer connections in the spring for life-safety reasons, then held permit finaling until annexation applications were complete.

A commissioner moved and the commission conducted a roll-call vote on each annexation; both motions passed with unanimous “Aye” votes from commissioners present. Staff noted the matter will be forwarded to the City Commission for final action, with a tentative City Commission hearing on Dec. 17.

The Planning Commission recorded recommended administrative steps tied to annexation, including removal from county service districts and that the applicants record a covenant acknowledging that development remains subject to city code until any future zone change occurs.