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Board approves relocation of approved forest-template dwelling despite vineyard concerns
Summary
The Yamhill County Board approved a request confirming substantial construction and relocating a previously authorized forest-template dwelling site; planning staff recommended approval and the board adopted staff findings after brief deliberations and public comment that included concerns the house would 'eviscerate' an established vineyard.
The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on July 2 approved a land-use request confirming that substantial construction had occurred on a previously permitted forest-template dwelling and allowing the home site to be moved roughly 100 feet closer to the property's southern boundary.
Planning staff told the board the request satisfies the county's substantial-construction policy and meets the fire-siting criteria in the Yamhill County zoning ordinance. The planner said the applicant had completed several on-site improvements toward the dwelling, including an installed septic system, on-site well, more than 1,000 feet of gravel driveway and electrical service with transformer and meter, and that the proposed new homesite would still permit primary and secondary firebreaks in most directions.
The motion to approve followed an evidentiary hearing in which neighbors and the applicant spoke. Jesse Lang of Dundee, an opponent, said the proposed new home site "replaces the vineyard" and argued the relocation would "eviscerate the farm," removing headland space and turnaround areas needed for vineyard operations. "The new proposed home site is in the middle of the vineyard," Lang said, raising concerns about accepted farm practices and wildfire-risk minimization.
The county planner responded that the proposed site shift moves the house from one undisturbed area to another and "does not appear to lead to a loss of existing or available forest land," concluding the request is consistent with the county's substantial-construction policy and the applicable fire-siting ordinance sections. Chandler Wilkuts, an authorized representative for the applicant, said the applicant supports the planner's decision and offered to answer questions.
After brief deliberations noting the parcel's AF-40 zoning, prior approved home site and roughly seven-acre size, the chair moved to adopt the staff findings and recommendation. The board voted to approve the request and closed the hearing.
The staff report and approval are conditioned as listed in the staff report; the board record indicates the decision references Yamhill County zoning ordinance sections cited in the staff report and Board Order 00-514 (the county's substantial construction policy).
