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Polk County approves 55.5‑acre open‑space special assessment for native habitat
Summary
The Polk County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an open‑space special assessment (SA 2601) and adopted draft order 2611 to designate a 55.5‑acre farm/forest parcel as non‑recreational native habitat under Oregon Revised Statutes 308A.300–308A.330.
The Polk County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 1 to approve an open‑space special assessment designation for a 55.5‑acre property in the farm‑forest zone and to adopt draft order 2611.
Senior planner Hannah Brickner told the board the applicant submitted a request to the Polk County Assessor’s Office for special assessment treatment under Oregon Revised Statutes 308A.300–308A.330. The planning commission held a hearing on June 2, 2026, and recommended approval; staff’s findings were included in the staff memorandum provided to the board in advance.
Brickner said staff recommends identifying the open‑space use as non‑recreational native habitat and processing the request like a comprehensive plan amendment. After Brickner’s presentation the board opened the hearing for public testimony; no attendees offered substantive opposition during the public‑testimony period.
A commissioner moved to adopt staff’s recommendation and the draft order; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote. The board closed the hearing and directed staff to finalize the order as the county’s final local decision.
The approval is a local land‑use legislative action to apply an open‑space special assessment to the specified parcel; the staff report and draft order contain the legal findings that support the designation.
