Planning commission continues Salisbury RV/boat storage hearing after right-of-way and annexation questions

The Planning Commission continued a public hearing on Wednesday on a proposal to use a 1.3-acre tax lot for outdoor RV and boat storage, deferring a decision to Nov. 20 and leaving the written record open for new testimony through Nov. 13.

Staff told the commission the application (CU24-1; SP-24-3) requires conditional-use and site-plan review and noted the applicants had signed a consent to annexation with a one-year waiver under ORS chapter 222. Planning staff also advised the commission that, because the property has not been formally annexed, staff needs to rework findings to apply the county's mixed-use employment zone criteria rather than city criteria.

That technical issue, and confusion over the status and ownership of Merritt Lane, dominated the meeting. Chuck, the public works director, said a 2020 partition plat dedicated 30 feet of public right-of-way across tax lot 1800 and explained why assessor GIS maps can appear inconsistent. "They dedicated 30 feet, public right of way there," Chuck said, noting that some stretches function as public right-of-way and other stretches are private easement.

Neighbors and nearby property owners pressed the commission about the effects of annexation and who would maintain or upgrade the road. Jim McDonald of Ira Sales and Service told commissioners the pattern of public and private access in the area is "a jumbled mess" and asked whether annexation would force the city to absorb costly street and sewer improvements and alter existing access for adjacent properties.

The applicant, identified in the record as Shelly speaking on behalf of the owners and later by Christie Salisbury, described the proposed use as simple long-term storage rather than a campground. "It's just RV and boat storage... it's just really simple," the applicant said, describing a gravel surface, cyclone fencing with barbed wire top and a solar-coded gate. The applicant confirmed no permanent structures, utilities or dedicated landscaping are proposed at this time.

Staff recommended the commission accept public testimony, leave the record open, and continue the hearing so staff can issue revised findings consistent with the correct approval criteria. Stephanie (staff) recommended continuing the hearing to allow staff to prepare revised findings and to give the public a chance to submit written comments for inclusion in the staff report.

A motion to continue the public hearing to Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m., and to leave the written record open until Nov. 13 carried. Commissioner Eddard said, "This is commissioner Eddard, and I will second that motion." Commissioners responded "aye" and the hearing was continued. Staff was directed to publish the revised findings and to provide the public with the statutory citation and assessor map details staff referenced.

The continued hearing will be held at City Hall and the planning department asked those with written testimony to file it by Nov. 13 so it can be included in the packet for the Nov. 20 meeting.