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Dan Amos appeals denial of forest dwelling at 1569 Savage Creek Road
Summary
Appellant Dan Amos has appealed the Director’s December 1, 2025 denial of a proposed Forest Dwelling at 1569 Savage Creek Rd in Josephine County. Staff says the parcel is part of a tract with existing dwellings and therefore ineligible under the county’s forest template rule; the BCC will review the de novo appeal on May 4, 2026.
Appellant Dan Amos filed an appeal of a December 1, 2025 Director’s decision denying a proposed Forest Dwelling on a parcel at 1569 Savage Creek Road in Josephine County. The appeal packet lists Sandra Sela as the property owner and states the appellant objects to the Director’s denial and asks the Board of County Commissioners to review the decision de novo.
Staff’s written findings state the denial rests on the Josephine County Code’s template rule for dwellings in forest zones: because the subject parcel is part of a larger tract under common ownership and contiguous parcels in that tract already contain dwellings, a new dwelling on the subject parcel is prohibited. Staff cites multiple county code provisions (including Sections 19.65.060, 19.64.070.C, 19.65.080, Chapter 19.76 and 19.65.100.B) and notes that Planning and Assessor records show two other parcels in the tract each have existing dwellings. Staff also reports that it contacted the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), which confirmed staff’s interpretation and referenced ORS 215.750 and alternative forestland dwelling criteria.
The application history in the packet records a pre-application dated September 4, 2024, a submission on June 20, 2025, an incomplete determination on July 18, 2025, and a completion date of September 3, 2025. Staff recorded that the Notice of Decision was mailed December 9, 2025, and that the appeal period was extended to February 20, 2026 because there was not a seated board. A hearing originally scheduled for February 23, 2026, was canceled on February 19, 2026; legal counsel and the applicant agreed to reschedule the appeal hearing to May 4, 2026.
At the May 4 hearing the Board will review the application anew. Staff’s packet advises the Board that it may accept, modify, or reject staff findings and may add, change, or delete conditions if it approves the dwelling; conversely, if it denies the appeal the Board must make clear findings explaining the denial. The packet also states that if the Board approves the application, staff has prepared draft conditions of approval (Exhibit L) for the Board’s consideration.
The appeal remains unresolved. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to hear the matter on May 4, 2026 and make a de novo determination on whether the application satisfies the county code and applicable state law.
