The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to a proposed development project in the North Valley area.
Following a brief public hearing, the Board voted 2-0 to approve the first reading and schedule the second reading and adoption for September 11th. Board Chair John West recused himself from the hearing due to a potential conflict of interest.
James Black of the Community Development Department testified that it has been a lengthy process to approve the project proposed by KND Development, LLC. He said the Rural Planning Commission first recommended approval of the project to the Board in June 2021, but there were two subsequent appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals that were remanded back to the Board prior to yesterday's approval.
With final approval next month, the comprehensive plan will be amended from Forest to Residential and the zoning map will be amended from Woodlot Resource to Rural Residential with a five-acre minimum lot size.
In the public comment period, the Board of Commissioners heard complaints about "Democratic Party manipulation," defunding the 4-H Extension District, the new Youth & Ag Club and the demise of the Firewise program. The Board heard praise for their leadership in opposition to the statewide wildfire hazard map.
