PLA25-023 Staff Decision - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

APPEAL PROCEDURE: The Marion County Zone Code provides that certain applications be considered first by the County Planning Director. If there is any doubt that the application conforms with adopted land use policies and regula- tions the Director must condition or deny the application. Anyone who disagrees with the Director's decision may request that the application be considered by a Marion County hearings officer after a public hearing. The applicant may also request reconsideration (one time only and a fee of $200) on the basis of new information subject to signing an extension of the 150-day time limit for review of zoning applications. A public hearing is held on appeals subject to the appellant paying a $250.00 fee. Requests for reconsideration, or consideration by a hearings officer, must be in writing (form available from the Planning Division) and received in the Marion County Planning Division, 5155 Silverton Road NE, Salem, by 5:00 p.m. on July 24th, 2025. If you have questions about this decision contact the Planning Division at (503) 588-5038 or at the office. This decision is effective July 25th, 2025, unless further consideration is requested. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings and conclusions on which decision was based are noted below. 1. The subject properties are designated Special Agriculture in the Marion County Comprehensive Plan and correspondingly zoned SA (Special Agriculture). The primary intent of both this designation and zone is to promote and protect small farm operations or areas with a mixture of good and poor farm soils. 2. The properties are located on Hidden Hills Lane, approximately 3 miles south of Salem’s Urban Growth Boundary. Both properties contain a dwelling and accessory structures. Tax lot 300 (1600 Hidden Hill Ln S) is part of a larger tract of properties under the same ownership in timber and Christmas tree production. Tax lot 301 (1650 Hidden Hill Ln S) contains open fields to the north and south of the dwelling, and a mixed species woodland on the southern end. Tax lot 300 was created in its current configuration by property line adjustment in 2004 by PLA/AR04-025. Tax lot 301 was created in its current configuration by property line adjustment in 2014 by PLA14-034. Both subject parcels are therefore legal for land use purposes. 3. All adjacent properties to the subject parcels are zoned SA (Special Agriculture) and are devoted to a mix of rural homesites in conjunction with timber, agricultural, hobby farm activities, and natural woodlands. North and west of the immediate area around the subject parcels are more lands zoned SA and in the same pattern of use, with a few rural residential neighborhoods just south of Salem’s Urban Growth Boundary. South and east of the SA zoned area around the subject parcels are larger tracts of farmland interspersed with exception lands with rural residential uses. 4. Soil Survey for Marion County, Oregon, indicates approximately 99.8% of the soils on tax lot 301 are high value soils, and approximately 94.3% of the soils on tax lot 300 are high value soils. 5. The applicants are proposing to adjust the property lines on a 12.38-acre parcel and a 39.09-acre parcel to create a 16.88-acre parcel and a 25.69-acre parcel. The purpose of this adjustment is to add a 4.5-acre area to tax lot 301 so that a lavender field may be established on that acreage. 6. Various agencies were contacted about the proposal and given an opportunity to comment. Marion County Survey commented: -No survey required for properties greater than ten acres per ORS 92.060 (8). -Property line adjustment deeds shall be recorded with the Marion County Clerk’s Office. Per ORS 92.190 (4). Marion County Assessor’s Office provided information regarding taxes on the subject properties. All other contacted agencies either failed to comment or stated no objection to the proposal. 7. The criteria for reviewing lot line adjustments within an SA zone are listed in Chapter 17.137.090(C) MCC. These criteria are as follows: