The Philomath Planning Commission will host public hearings Monday evening on an annexation application and on a development code amendment to create a “climate friendly” overlay district. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 at Philomath City Hall.
If approved, the annexation would bring into the city a 1.59-acre parcel at 602 S. 15th St. The property appears to have no choice but to access city services with Benton County deeming its septic system as failed. According to the city, the county will not allow the property owner to repair or replace the septic tank. The property currently has a house and two outbuildings.
If annexed, the property would automatically be zoned as low-density residential. However, the owner has submitted a rezoning application in favor of high-density residential with a proposal to construct a “cottage cluster,” which would consist of 16 single-family residences — eight with approximately 1,012 square feet and eight with 500 square feet.
The 1.59 acres is surrounded on all four boundaries by city property.
The other public hearing on the agenda involves a new state requirement related to the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities program, which aims to “reduce climate pollution, provide more transportation and housing choices, and promote more equitable land-use planning outcomes.”
The city has been working with Cascades West Council of Governments in collaboration with the Oregon Department of State Lands to implement the new rules. The new overlay district, the city reports, is intended to provide 21 high-density mixed-use areas within the city.