Monmouth council advances zoning changes tied to state law, schedules second reading

Monmouth, Ore. — The Monmouth City Council on Nov. 19 voted to advance legislative amendment 24-01 to the Monmouth Zoning Ordinance and proceed to the first reading of Ordinance 14-18, which reorganizes chapters of code related to subdivisions, partitions and limited land-use review procedures.

Carter Craig, a community planner, told the council the changes respond to recent state legislation (identified in the staff report as Senate Bill 1537) that reclassifies certain types of limited land-use decisions and removes the option for public hearings in some cases. Craig said the planning commission reviewed the edits and recommended approval to the council.

The amendment moves four application types (subdivision, major partition, design review and nonconforming use review) from a type-3 classification to type-2 and designates appeal authorities and who has standing to appeal. Craig said that, without adopting local changes, state law would override the city's code.

"The council voted to initiate these changes back in September," Craig said, adding that the planning commission voted last week to recommend the presented changes. Councilors asked clarifying questions about developer outreach and how the changes would be communicated; Craig acknowledged informal outreach with developers but recommended follow-up education for regular design-review users.

Councilor Selena Solveros moved to approve the legislative amendment and proceed to first reading; the motion passed on a voice vote and the ordinance was set for a second reading and adoption at the next meeting.

What happens next: Carter Craig will return to the council for second reading and adoption of Ordinance 14-18. If adopted, the code revisions will take effect according to the ordinance schedule and in coordination with state requirements.

Quotes in this article are drawn directly from the Nov. 19 council meeting transcript.