Proposed rule changes would allow rezoning of rural farmland and forestland for housing, commercial, and light industrial uses
Local small communities threatened by possible ruling
New rules for land use now being considered at the state capitol could have broad effects in Polk County’s rural communities.
Small, “unincorporated” communities, such as Perrydale, Airlie, Ballston, Rickreall, Buena Vista and many others, would be affected.
Denial Recommended for Proposed EFU Zone Change
About 8.6 acres outside of Falls City UGB are currently in forest production and the owner would like to change the zone from Exclusive Forest Use (EFU) to Farm/Forest so that he would be eligible to apply for a forest template dwelling.
Coffin Butte Expansion Appeal Process
Republic Services appealed the Commissioners’ denial to LUBA on March 17. Valley Neighbors for Environmental Quality and Safety and others filed to intervene and bolster County's denial in early April. It is unknown how long the LUBA process will take; there are many steps remaining.
Accessory Dwelling Units
As of June 17, 2026, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed on properties that are at least 2.0 acres in size and zoned Rural Lands or Unincorporated Community Residential in the Polk County Comprehensive Plan.
A Radical Shift From Protecting Farm Land for Farm Use
The “Farm Store Bill” will impose a radical shift in Oregon’s legacy of protecting farmland for farm use. The bill has the potential to undermine farming while prioritizing retail commercial development.
The Long Saga of the Sulamita Recreation Center
The lengthy review process for the Sulamita Recreation Center application illustrates how state and county land use regulations do serve to protect our natural resources, farm and forest activities, wildlife habitat, and public health and safety.
Benton County announces dates for public hearing on appeal of landfill decision
Benton County has scheduled a public hearing before the Board of Commissioners for the appeal of the decision to deny expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 with a planned continuance on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street in Corvallis.
Coffin Butte Landfill Expansion Update
Republic Services appealed the Benton County Planning Commission’s unanimous denial, so now there will be a NEW public hearing, this time before the elected Board of Commissioners. This new hearing is expected to be sometime in October.
Proposed Youth Camp
During 2023 and 2024, an application for a youth camp in a forested region near Gold Creek came to our attention. The neighboring property owners struggled to get county and state agencies to stop unlawful activity that was being pursued without appropriate permits. Friends of Polk County submitted written comments in opposition to the proposed youth camp.
Coffin Butte Expansion
The following is the letter that the Friends of Polk County sent to the Benton County Planning Commission. Although the Coffin Butte landfill is in Benton County, the landfill significantly affects nearby Polk County and the Willamette Valley.
Proposed Anaerobic Digestor
Friends of Polk County are in opposition to the proposed anaerobic digestor to be built on exclusive farm use (EFU) land. It would be located in just outside of West Salem near Hopewell Rd. NW and Wallace Rd. NW in the former Willamette Valley Cheese facility.