Denial Recommended for Proposed EFU Zone Change
Proposed Plan Amendment and Zone Change (PA/ZC) for parcel outside of Falls City UGB Recommended for Denial
The applicant owns 8.6 acres (shown in red) currently zoned as Exclusive Forest Use (EFU) land. The land is currently in forest production and the owner would like to change the zone to Farm/Forest so that he would be eligible to apply for a forest template dwelling. The criteria for a PA/ZC require showing that
The Comprehensive Plan designation is erroneous and the proposed amendment would correct the error; or
The Comprehensive Plan designation is no longer appropriate due to changing conditions in the surrounding area; and
The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan will be carried out through approval of the proposed plan amendment based on the following: Evidence that the proposal conforms to the intent of relevant goals and policies in the Comprehensive Plan and the purpose and intent of the proposed land use designation.
The Hearings Officer’s report details three review criteria that were found to be deficient in the proposal for a Plan Amendment and Zone Change:
The Comprehensive Plan designation was not shown to be erroneous.
There is no documentation of changes in the surrounding area.
The applicant failed to meet the Goal 3 criteria by providing a cumulative impacts analysis of partitions and non-farm dwelling on the surrounding agricultural enterprises.
The planning staff and the Hearings Officer both recommended denial of the application.
On August 26, 2026 the Board of Commissioners held a public hearing. Friends of Polk County presented this testimony and urged the commissioners to ratify the Hearings Officer’s decision. The Board of Commissioners extended the open record period for 30 days to allow the applicant to try to come into compliance with the review criteria.
We will provided updates as they become available.
