Local News

County Developing "Lot of Record" Workaround

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County officials are working to prevent some rural homeowners from paying thousands of dollars in extra fees when they try to sell or renovate their property. A land use court case between neighbors has forced the county to upgrade how it determines formal lot lines and proves a property's development rights.

 

County Commissioner Phil Henderson recently told KBND host Lars Larson, "One of the ironies of this, the reason we got into this, LUBA - the Land Use Board of Appeals - is saying we've been less restrictive than state law and that's why they've required us to change this. We actually have a history, in Deschutes County, of trying to accommodate land use and not make it difficult. And that's one of the reasons, I guess it could be argued, that we got into this." He explains, "For instance, if you bought a parcel from your neighbor and you went in and got a septic permit, that would make it a 'lot of record,' under the way we had done it. We're being told that's not sufficient under state law, so that's the kind fo thing we're reacting to."

 

The new state requirement forces property owners to prove they have the right to develop their land prior to getting a building permit, which can cost thousands in city fees and surveyor expenses.

 

The Board of County Commisioners has heard from a number of concerned citizens, and Henderson says there are likely more who are impacted, "It could be hundreds. We have a lot of rural properties that were kind of created prior to our land use system, here." He says officials are devloping a workaround they hope to release in the next couple of weeks. 

On Air Now

George Noorey
George Noorey
10:00pm - 12:00am
Coast to Coast

FlashAlert

KBND ON FACEBOOK

News Disclaimers