Stayton planning commission schedules public hearing on adding general merchandise to interchange zone

Chair Larry McKinley called the July 29 Stayton Planning Commission meeting to order and the commission voted to hold a public hearing to consider adding general merchandise stores, subject to site plan review, to the city’s interchange development zone.

Jennifer (planning staff) told the commission that a site plan has been submitted and that the amendment would be considered before the site plan review. She said a public hearing is scheduled for the last Monday in August (staff referenced "August 26 or 29" while describing the date). The amendment would add a permitted use called "general merchandise stores" to the interchange development zone, the two lots just north of the Arco station.

McKinley said the commission has previously been approached by Dollar General and that allowing general merchandising in the code would open the door to that type of development. The commission made the scheduling decision so the community can comment before the commission and council take a final position.

An adjacent property owner, Jack Burickel, addressed the commission during non‑hearing discussion, urging caution about street alignment and suggesting alternative uses for nearby parcels; he asked staff and the commission to consider wording that would not disadvantage neighboring properties. The commission acknowledged those concerns and emphasized the hearing is intended to gather community input.

The motion to hold a public hearing was moved from the dais, seconded, and approved by voice vote. No final code change was adopted at the July 29 meeting: the commission only scheduled the hearing to receive public testimony and to discuss the proposal at a future meeting.

The commission signaled it will take oral and written testimony at the upcoming hearing before deciding whether to amend the interchange development zone language.