Measure 37: Rush to Judgments

It may come as a surprise to residents of Coos, Jackson and Yamhill Counties, but their local governments are approving Measure 37 demands without any notice or a public hearing. Measure 37 has left the public in the dark while governments forge ahead approving demands. Thus far counties have approved eleven demands with no due process for the public-no notice to neighbors or opportunity for public hearings.

The demands are for a variety of developments, including residential development on prime farmland next to working orchards in Jackson County and 5-acre lots for dwellings in the forest zone of Coos County. Two weeks ago Yamhill County considered seven Measure 37 demands with no prior notice to neighbors or hearing.

"More doors are being shut on public participation and that's wrong," said Bob Stacey, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon. "Oregonians rely on their ability to have a voice in community decisions, but these counties have silenced that voice."

Still to come are county determinations about developing prime farmland in Yamhill County, developing a site near pristine Wallowa Lake and the gravesite of Chief Joseph, subdivisions in the midst of Hood River County's best pear orchards, and 30 acres of beachfront property north of Waldport.

Yamhill County has about 90 Measure 37 demands pending or anticipated and the Board of Commissioners will again consider a group of demands-seven this time-in its meeting next week. Jackson County has over two dozen Measure 37 demands , which planning staff told the Board of Commissioners last week are consuming all of their time. Coos County reportedly has five on the agenda for the board's next meeting on February 16. With the exception of a single case in Yamhill County, hearings are not scheduled for any of these demands, nor has public notice been given to neighboring property owners.

Meanwhile, the Senate Environment and Land Use Committee held a public hearing in Hood River on February 11 on the impacts of Measure 37.

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