Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Hearing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Yamhill County continues farm-dwelling appeal to May 28 after staff and parties present evidence
Summary
During a public hearing on Docket FD-01-26, the Board heard staff and testimony from the applicant and appellant about an 84-acre EF-80 property and continued the hearing to May 28, 2026 to resume at the staff recommendation point after agency approvals were entered into the record.
The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing May 21 on Docket FD-01-26, an appeal of the Planning Director’s approval of a principal dwelling provided in conjunction with farm use, and continued the matter to May 28, 2026.
Senior Planner Tiffanie Willis presented the staff report, describing the subject parcel as 84 acres zoned EF-80 outside city limits with a permitted pole barn, an access easement and livestock. Applicant Reed Marcham testified that the property had been partitioned in 2009 and again later, that a soil scientist determined soils were of low value, and that Planning staff completed an income review as part of the application. Bernadine Marcham provided supporting testimony.
Appellant Clark Ellingson said he keeps about 37 steers on the property and contended a curve on the site did not meet Fire Marshal standards; staff reported that Fire Marshal and Public Works approvals, and septic approval, had been received. In rebuttal, Reed Marcham said foot traffic on the easement consisted neither of residents of his property nor his customers, and he noted the Fire Marshal-approved corner was not adjacent to Ellingson’s property. Planning Director Ken Friday clarified there is no requirement for specific kinds of farming for the permit and proposed continuing the hearing.
Commissioner David “Bubba” King moved to adopt the recommended motion to continue the hearing. The motion passed with Commissioners Mary Starrett and David “Bubba” King voting aye. Commissioner Starrett closed the hearing at 11:00 a.m. The Board will reopen the hearing at 10:00 a.m. on May 28, 2026, in Room 32 of the Yamhill County Courthouse at the point of the staff recommendation.
Why it matters: The continued hearing will allow the Board to receive and consider the Planning Department’s recommendation and agency approvals before issuing a final decision on whether a principal dwelling may be permitted in association with the farm use on the subject property.
Next steps: The hearing will resume at the staff recommendation on May 28, 2026. Any additional written materials should be filed according to the county’s public hearing procedures.
