Planning Staff evaluates land use proposals against the policies and requirements of the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code, and presents findings and recommendations to the Planning Commission, the Downtown Design Review Committee, and/or the City Council for their consideration. Here’s how the review process works:
- Public Notice and Hearing: Specific criteria that land use applications must follow are outlined in the public notice and discussed during the public hearing(s). These criteria typically relate to the zoning designation of the subject property and the type of land use proposed.
- Compliance with Codes and Laws: Applications are evaluated based on whether they meet the City's development code standards. If an application complies with all applicable standards, it cannot be denied. Property owners have the right to develop their property as long as they adhere to all applicable laws and regulations. Denying applications that meet all requirements could result in claims with the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) and potential lawsuits against the City.
- Denial for Non-Compliance: If the City's findings demonstrate that an application does not and cannot comply with all applicable development code standards, the application may be denied.
- Estacada Comprehensive Plan: In addition to development code requirements, land use applications must also align with the applicable goals and policies of the Estacada Comprehensive Plan. This ensures that proposed developments are consistent with the overall vision and planning objectives for the community.
This thorough review process ensures that all land use applications are evaluated fairly and consistently, adhering to established codes, laws, and community plans.