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Resident tells commissioners odor from nearby licensed cannabis grow has made home unlivable; board vows follow-up
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Summary
Carrie Moore told the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners that persistent odors from a licensed marijuana grow 366 feet from her home forced months of contacts with code enforcement and led to a $411 fine; commissioners pledged to follow up and asked staff for a prompt report.
Carrie Moore, a Clackamas County homeowner, told the Board of Commissioners on April 9 that an OLCC-licensed cannabis cultivation site at 20890 South Leland Road has produced an unbearable odor that has affected her ability to use her home and property.
"The odor from that facility has forced us to contact code enforcement nearly 8 months ago," Moore said, adding she filed a formal complaint with county code enforcement and that DEQ and EPA staff had visited her property. Moore told the board she was told county staff had not inspected the site during much of that period and that, after protracted efforts, the county issued a $411 fine to the owners.
The comment prompted multiple commissioners to respond. Commissioner West, joining the meeting online, said he had not previously heard about the complaint and asked staff to act "swiftly and quickly" and be responsive to the resident. Commissioner Savas and Commissioner Helm likewise said they would look into the status of code enforcement actions and requested a report; Helm noted that state environmental agencies had visited and said the county should accelerate its response.
County Administrator Gary Schmidt told the board staff would report back on the current status and options for follow-up. The board did not take formal action at the meeting but several commissioners requested staff briefings and, where appropriate, quicker enforcement steps.
Why it matters: The testimony highlights resident frustration with the pace and perceived effectiveness of local code enforcement when a regulated business generates off-site impacts. Moore’s account cited federal and state visits (DEQ and EPA) and a small administrative fine; commissioners asked staff to clarify the record and return with next steps.
What’s next: Commissioners asked staff to return with the status of the code-enforcement complaint and any options for faster enforcement or escalation; no formal motion or policy change was made at the meeting.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article: Carrie Moore (resident); Commissioner West; Commissioner Savas; Commissioner Helm; Gary Schmidt (County Administrator).
