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Marion County concurs with Woodburn to add about 237 acres to urban growth boundary for industrial land
Summary
After a public hearing the Marion County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 29 concurred with the City of Woodburn’s ordinance to expand its urban growth boundary by roughly 237 acres — an area the city has designated for industrial development to meet identified employment‑land needs.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 29 voted to concur with the City of Woodburn’s ordinance to expand the city’s urban growth boundary by about 237 acres for industrial uses.
The board’s concurrence follows the city’s completed economic opportunities analysis and buildable lands inventory, which the city says identified a deficit of employment land (approximately 370 acres total needed, including 272 acres for industrial use). City staff presented the analysis and said the area being added lies east of Interstate 5, near Butteville Road and north and south of Fall Road, and is currently unimproved farmland inside the city’s earlier urban reserve.
Nut graf: The expansion is intended to provide land designated and reserved for industrial development, responding to local industrial and employment demand. County planning staff reviewed the city’s findings against state statutes and the county’s urbanization policies and recommended concurrence.
What the county decided and why County staff told the board the city had followed the statutory and rule‑based process for UGB expansions, including publicly noticing property owners and holding city hearings. The city proposed to apply a Southwest Industrial Reserve designation once the land is annexed into the city; until annexation, the county will apply its urban transition (UT) zone with a 20‑acre density limit to maintain large parcel integrity for future industrial annexation.
Public input and city outreach The city said it reached out to affected property owners during its economic analysis and again during the legislative amendment process. City staff reported no opposition from landowners; several landowners provided written support. During the county public hearing, one area resident and two real‑estate industry witnesses spoke in favor of the expansion, citing demand for industrial land and economic opportunity.
What happens next Concurrence by the county allows Woodburn to proceed with annexation and apply its industrial zoning once annexation is complete. County staff will apply the UT zone in the interim and monitor annexation progress. The city will manage the detailed infrastructure planning, permitting, and land‑use approvals required for industrial development. The board asked city and county staff to keep commissioners informed as annexation and related infrastructure steps proceed.
Evidence: County planner Austin Barnes summarized the city's analysis and statutory criteria; Mayor Frank Loner and Woodburn staff answered questions and confirmed outreach to landowners. The city’s administrative record and hearing minutes were available to the board for review.
