Jacksonville Review – July 2025 Issue

JUNE 3, 2025—THE COUNCIL held its regular session as well as a Public Hearing to address a re-evaluation of a land partition application for the Touvelle House, located at 455 N. Oregon Street. Late in 2024, the Planning Commission had rejected a plan to create two small building lots on the historic parcel, compelling the property owner to appeal the decision to the City Council. On July 10, 2024, the Jacksonville Planning Commission denied the Land Partition Application. The Commission’s denial was based on a finding that the proposal did not comply with Section 16.32.20(2) of the Jacksonville Unified Development Code

(JUDC), specifically concluding that the partition of the historic site would violate town’s historic standards. The applicant subsequently appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to the City Council, where the Council affirmed the Planning Commission’s findings. The property owner then appealed the case to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) which sided with the property owner and ruled that subdivision was appropriate for the site. As such, LUBA remanded (sent back) the case to the City Council for further deliberation at its June 3 Public Hearing. In its conclusion and recommendation, Planning Department staff revised criteria 2 and stated, “Based on the re-evaluation of the application against the remaining applicable criteria of the Jacksonville Unified Development Code, and in light of LUBA’s decision, staff finds that the application now meets all applicable approval criteria for a land partition.” Staff was careful to point out that despite the approval, “the partition itself does not confer any vertical construction or development permits. In order for any such further development to occur, the property owner will be required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness through a land use hearings process.” It should be noted that the entire Touvelle House estate is listed for sale at this time.

Fire Surcharge to Increase—The council held its annual Public Hearing to adopt the FY 2025-2026 budget. Of note, it approved the recommendation from the Budget Committee to increase the Fire Protection Surcharge for a total amount of $55 per unit per month. There will also be an additional $2 per unit per month increase each subsequent year for five years. The council approved the recommendation and will formalize the move at an upcoming meeting.

Property Purchase Approved—The council greenlighted staff’s request to purchase the vacant lot at 460 W. California Street that is for sale at a listed price of $275,000. The property abuts the Public Works Shop and dog park area and will be used for additional storage for Public Works and other uses.

Urban Growth Boundary Study Approved—A consulting contract with MIG for $70,250 was approved to allow Planning Department staff to move forward with Jacksonville’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) amendment proceedings. Although no formal land partition is pending, the scope of work includes project management and coordination, review of relevant long-range planning documents, an analysis of residential and employment buildable land inventory, public outreach and stakeholder engagement, support in preparing the final UGB Amendment recommendation and associated findings for adoption hearings.