Scappoose council holds first reading of ordinance to expand UGB, establishes urban reserves

Scappoose City Council on July 20 held the first reading of Ordinance 9-27, a multi-part package to adopt the city's 50-year plan, expand the urban growth boundary (UGB) and amend the comprehensive and zoning maps and development code.

Community Development Director Lori Joseph and consultant Beth Goodman told the council the packages (CPA 2-23; CPMA 1-26; ZC 1-26; DCTA 1-26) respond to a years-long public process. The housing capacity analysis forecasts about 1,284 new dwelling units through 2043, while the existing UGB holds capacity for roughly 1,236 units, creating a shortfall that staff said supports a proposed 64-acre UGB expansion (about 44 buildable acres). The economic opportunities analysis forecasts about 2,125 new jobs through 2043 and a demand for roughly 141 acres of industrial land and 51 acres of commercial land.

Staff described related development-code changes required by state land-use-efficiency measures, including matching duplex minimum-lot-size parity with single-family lots and adjusting duplex parking requirements to one space per unit; the package also proposes increasing lot-coverage allowances for properties with accessory dwelling units. Staff said those efficiency measures were incorporated into the UGB analysis using an assumed 3% average gross density increase across residential designations.

The plan uses a three-part approach: a 64-acre UGB expansion to address short-term deficits and roughly 480 acres of urban reserves to meet longer-term needs through 2073. Consultants explained they screened 23 preliminary study areas and recommended Sub Area 4 and portions of Areas 7 and 8 because they offer earlier infrastructure viability and more buildable acres.

Councilors asked detailed questions about infrastructure, water supply and annexation. Staff and the city attorney said feasibility of extending water, sewer and roads was part of the study-area selection and that full capacity and financing analyses typically occur later, at annexation and project review; developers often must fund or contribute to necessary system improvements as a condition of annexation or approval.

Several councilors expressed caution about timing and the degree of mandatory state adjustments in the near term. Councilor Haugen said he was reluctant to expand the UGB now without clearer evidence of near-term need and said he was uncomfortable with some mandatory lot-size reductions. Staff and the city attorney cautioned that housing-capacity findings, certain land-use-efficiency measures and UGB decisions are interlocked under state law and that removing parts of the package could create legal and procedural complications.

After deliberation, Councilor Holmes moved to approve the consolidated staff findings and conditions and advance the package; Councilor Ryouta seconded. The council passed the motion by voice vote and Mayor Bacchus read the ordinance title for the first reading. The council set a second reading and a final vote for Aug. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. If adopted locally, staff will submit the package to Columbia County for major map amendment hearings and later request acknowledgment from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). Staff also noted a Dec. 31 deadline to submit the adopted package for DLCD acknowledgment.

Next steps: county hearings, potential revisions in response to county input, and the Aug. 17 second reading and final council vote.