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Council approves emergency zoning change to allow pharmacy drive‑through after two closures
Summary
With Baker City down to one full‑service pharmacy, council adopted an emergency code amendment under ORS 197.16(2) and resolution 3982 to allow drive‑through pharmacy use in the central commercial zone and read the ordinance as required.
City planners told the Baker City Council on Oct. 14 that two recent pharmacy closures left a single full‑service pharmacy serving the city and that staff sought an emergency code amendment to permit a pharmacy drive‑through in the central commercial (CC) zone.
Planning staff said state law (Oregon Revised Statute 197.16(2)) allows an expedited text amendment when an emergency exists; staff asked the council to adopt Resolution 3982 declaring the emergency and to accept the staff findings included in the staff report. The amendment would add a drive‑up/drive‑through allowance for pharmacies in Table 2.3.0.11 (land uses allowed in commercial zones) and rely on existing site‑design standards.
There was no public testimony during the hearing. Council voted to accept the staff findings, read the ordinance and adopt the emergency measure; the transcript records motions, seconds and an 'all in favor; opposed none' outcome.
Planning staff noted that applications processed under the emergency route must still demonstrate compliance with statewide planning goals and the city's comprehensive plan, and that the amendment does not alter the substantive drive‑through standards (those standards remain in the code). Staff said an existing building could proceed via land‑use review while a new build would require a site‑design review.
The council approved the emergency declaration and ordinance readings at the meeting and directed staff to proceed with the statutory steps recorded in the staff report.
