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Council directs staff to begin public notice for SB 1537 one-time UGB expansion
Summary
The Newberg City Council voted unanimously May 4 to approve a resolution directing staff to publish notice and solicit sites under Senate Bill 1537, which allows a one-time urban growth boundary expansion (now up to 150 net buildable acres) to support housing needs.
The Newberg City Council voted unanimously May 4 to direct staff to issue public notice and solicit candidate sites under Senate Bill 1537 for a one-time urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion.
Planning staff told the council that a recent Department of Land Conservation and Development interpretation treats rural residential land inside the UGB as "developed land," enabling Newberg to meet the statute's demonstration-of-need requirements. The 2025 legislative update to House Bill 4035 increased the maximum expansion from 100 to 150 net buildable acres, staff said, and clarified that the cap applies to net buildable acreage (including commercial, recreation and open-space components), not only net residential acres.
Staff recommended approving Resolution 2026-423 to begin public notice and set a solicitation timeline. Under the proposed schedule, the city would post notice June 1, accept applications through the end of July, do an initial city completeness review in August, and start public selection and hearings in September–October. If a selected site advances, applicants would later submit a comprehensive plan amendment and the UGB amendment within one year.
Staff outlined related fees drawn from the city's current schedule: an initial site submittal fee of $214 (miscellaneous type 1), a comprehensive-plan amendment fee (listed at $3,224), and a UGB amendment fee (listed at $5,136); annexation fees were noted as $3,000 plus $286 per acre. Staff proposed the refinement fee combine applicable fees and said the adoption fee might be partly refundable if applicants reach a specified process stage.
Council members asked whether SB 1537 limits the expansion to residential use; staff replied the statute is aimed at housing and requires 30% of units be affordable but envisions "complete community" features (small-scale commercial, recreation, open space) for sites larger than 15 net acres. Council also queried whether the city may set a minimum site size; staff confirmed the solicitation may include a minimum threshold if council desires.
After questions, a councilor moved to approve Resolution 2026-423; the motion passed unanimously.
The council's next steps are to post the notice as directed and return for later hearings as required by state statute and city procedure.
