Yamhill County delays decision on land‑use appeal by Alahe Indigenous Center after full hearing

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 12 closed a public hearing and set deliberations for March 12 on an appeal by Randy and Edith Woodley of permit conditions tied to their agritourism approval for the Alahe Indigenous Center on a 9.4‑acre EF‑40 parcel.

The Woodleys and their attorney argued that several standard conditions — a cap of 24 attendees, limiting events to six per year, restricting overnight camping to a single annual event, and prohibitions on serving self‑grown food — impose a "substantial burden" on their land‑based religious practices and must be reviewed under the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Applicant Randy Woodley told commissioners: "Let us have friends over. Let us teach them. Let us feed them the food we grow. Let them camp overnight when needed." He said limiting overnight gatherings and attendance would make their ministry effectively impossible.

County planning staff recounted the application history and the safety and zoning constraints that shaped the decision. The planner noted the parcel is zoned…