Public hearings, ordinances and a resolution all appear on the agenda for the Philomath City Council’s meeting planned for 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall.
The public hearings include two related to the annexation of a 1.59-acre property and the third involves a city development code amendment. Extending a ban and establishing time, place and manner restrictions on psilocybin will be presented to the council through the second reading of separate ordinances. And the resolution involves the establishment of an enterprise zone school support fee.
The Philomath Planning Commission moved forward the annexation application of Martin Kribs, who owns the property 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. The county will not allow the property owner to repair or replace the septic tank due to its proximity to the city sewer. 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 second public hearing relates to the rezoning request.
The 1.59 acres is surrounded on all four boundaries by city property.
The evening’s third public hearing 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 high-density mixed-use areas within the city.
Also on the agenda, the council is scheduled for its second and final vote on proposed psilocybin-related ordinances. The vote comes four days after councilors listened to community comments and answered questions during an open house meeting.
The enterprise zone school resolution with approval would establish a support fee rate of 15% — the minimum allowed through state statute. The rate will apply to all qualified property and facilities granted exemption by the state and located in the enterprise zone. The School Board approved the 15% rate at its meeting last week.
The council is also scheduled to meet in executive session to consult legal counsel on litigation issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public.
The regular open meeting can be viewed live on the city’s YouTube channel.