Jeff Newman has submitted an application for annexation of 13.8 acres of land located on the south and east side of SW Desert Sky Drive, approximately 500 feet west of S 1st Street. The property is located within the urban portion of the urban growth boundary.  If the annexation is approved, the applicant plans to develop the property with a single family subdivision of 31 lots. The applicant is proposing to annex only a portion of the existing 56 acre lot and has submitted applications for both the minor partitions and the subdivision.  It will be necessary to file the minor partition plat with Umatilla County prior to recording the annexation ordinance. The annexation ordinance will come before the council to adopt at a future meeting. 

The property is described as 4N2815 Tax Lot 200 and has a comprehensive plan map designation of L or Low Density Residential. The L comprehensive plan map designation corresponds to an (R-1) Single Family Residential zoning designation. The property has single-family homes to the north and west. There is existing large lot, rural character single-family development to the south and east.  The general character of the neighborhood is low density residential.

150.05 of the Hermiston Code of Ordinances provides the requirements for annexations. The requirements for annexation are as follows:

1. The proposal is in conformance with all applicable state annexation law requirements.
2. The property is contained within the urban portion of the Urban Growth Boundary as identified in the Comprehensive Plan.
3. The proposed zoning is consistent with the underlying Comprehensive Plan designation.
4. Findings of Fact are developed in support or denial of the annexation.
5. All city services can be readily extended and the property owner is willing to bear costs associated with sewer, water and roads.

Findings of Fact are attached as Exhibit A. The staff report also includes an aerial photo, property map and application for annexation for the city council's reference. 

The planning commission held a public hearing on annexation on August 12, 2020. Testimony was given during the hearing in support of the annexation.  Following the conclusion of the public hearing, the planning commission made a unanimous recommendation that the city council annex the property with the proposed R-1 zoning designation.

The city council may choose to

• Approve the annexation with an R-1 zoning designation

• Deny the annexation

The applicant is processing a partition application which will change the legal description of the property.  If the annexation is approved by motion, staff will return with an annexation ordinance after the partition plat is recorded.

Motion to approve the findings of fact

Motion to approve the annexation