Stayton — The Stayton City Council voted unanimously to remand an ordinance to the planning commission after staff said revised state guidance requires additional notice for certain annexations.

Jennifer Siciliano, Stayton’s economic and development director, told the council the ordinance would annex a 21‑acre property on Golf Lane and change its zoning from Marion County urban transition to the City of Stayton’s low‑density residential designation. Siciliano said the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) recently advised the city that assigning a zone during annexation can be treated as a zone change that warrants state notice or a post‑acknowledgement plan amendment (PAPA).

“DLCD indicated that based on the current interpretation and application of case law … they prefer the city provide them with a 30 day notice for the state for all annexations,” Siciliano said. She told the council staff recommended remanding the ordinance to the planning commission so the commission can rehear the application and the city can provide the DLCD notice; she added the applicant has been informed and is supportive of the direction.

Councilors asked whether the planning commission’s medium‑density recommendation or the applicant’s low‑density request would be used when the matter returns; Siciliano and Julia (city manager) said the rehearing would allow the planning commission to revisit the recommendation and the city would then return the ordinance to council. Siciliano also explained the timing staff expects: DLCD gave written guidance and staff proposed a 35‑day notice process to ensure the state has time to comment during the rehearing process.

Councilor Orte moved to remand ordinance number 25‑006 to the planning commission so staff can provide the state notice and rehear the application; the motion was seconded and carried on a 5‑0 vote.

Votes at a glance
• Motion: Remand ordinance 25‑006 to the planning commission so the city can provide DLCD notice and rehear the annexation; outcome: approved 5‑0 (mover: Councilor Orte; second: Mayor; no recorded dissents).

What happens next
Staff will rehear the ordinance at the planning commission, provide DLCD the procedural notice requested, and return the ordinance to the council after the planning commission and state notice requirements have been satisfied. Siciliano said staff will coordinate closely with DLCD, the planning commission and the applicant to move the matter forward efficiently.

Authorities and references cited by staff and council during the discussion included DLCD (Department of Land Conservation and Development) and “relevant ORS” referenced by Siciliano; no specific ORS numbers were read into the record during the meeting.

The council also approved its consent agenda at the start of the meeting, including resolutions 25‑039 and 25‑040, by a separate 5‑0 voice vote earlier in the session.