ORS 197.797
Local quasi-judicial land use hearings

  • notice requirements
  • hearing procedures

The following procedures shall govern the conduct of quasi-judicial land use hearings conducted before a local governing body, planning commission, hearings body or hearings officer on application for a land use decision and shall be incorporated into the comprehensive plan and land use regulations:

(1)

An issue which may be the basis for an appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals shall be raised not later than the close of the record at or following the final evidentiary hearing on the proposal before the local government. Such issues shall be raised and accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the governing body, planning commission, hearings body or hearings officer, and the parties an adequate opportunity to respond to each issue.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Notice of the hearings governed by this section shall be provided to the applicant and to owners of record of property on the most recent property tax assessment roll where such property is located:

(A)

Within 100 feet of the property which is the subject of the notice where the subject property is wholly or in part within an urban growth boundary;

(B)

Within 250 feet of the property which is the subject of the notice where the subject property is outside an urban growth boundary and not within a farm or forest zone; or

(C)

Within 500 feet of the property which is the subject of the notice where the subject property is within a farm or forest zone.

(b)

Notice shall also be provided to any neighborhood or community organization recognized by the governing body and whose boundaries include the site.

(c)

At the discretion of the applicant, the local government also shall provide notice to the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

(3)

The notice provided by the jurisdiction shall:

(a)

Explain the nature of the application and the proposed use or uses which could be authorized;

(b)

List the applicable criteria from the ordinance and the plan that apply to the application at issue;

(c)

Set forth the street address or other easily understood geographical reference to the subject property;

(d)

State the date, time and location of the hearing;

(e)

State that failure of an issue to be raised in a hearing, in person or by letter, or failure to provide statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision maker an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the board based on that issue;

(f)

Be mailed at least:

(A)

Twenty days before the evidentiary hearing; or

(B)

If two or more evidentiary hearings are allowed, 10 days before the first evidentiary hearing;

(g)

Include the name of a local government representative to contact and the telephone number where additional information may be obtained;

(h)

State that a copy of the application, all documents and evidence submitted by or on behalf of the applicant and applicable criteria are available for inspection at no cost and will be provided at reasonable cost;

(i)

State that a copy of the staff report will be available for inspection at no cost at least seven days prior to the hearing and will be provided at reasonable cost; and

(j)

Include a general explanation of the requirements for submission of testimony and the procedure for conduct of hearings.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

All documents or evidence relied upon by the applicant shall be submitted to the local government and be made available to the public.

(b)

Any staff report used at the hearing shall be available at least seven days prior to the hearing. If additional documents or evidence are provided by any party, the local government may allow a continuance or leave the record open to allow the parties a reasonable opportunity to respond. Any continuance or extension of the record requested by an applicant shall result in a corresponding extension of the time limitations of ORS 215.427 (Final action on permit or zone change application) or 227.178 (Final action on certain applications required within 120 days) and ORS 215.429 (Mandamus proceeding when county fails to take final action on land use application within specified time) or 227.179 (Petition for writ of mandamus authorized when city fails to take final action on land use application within 120 days).

(5)

At the commencement of a hearing under a comprehensive plan or land use regulation, a statement shall be made to those in attendance that:

(a)

Lists the applicable substantive criteria;

(b)

States that testimony, arguments and evidence must be directed toward the criteria described in paragraph (a) of this subsection or other criteria in the plan or land use regulation which the person believes to apply to the decision; and

(c)

States that failure to raise an issue accompanied by statements or evidence sufficient to afford the decision maker and the parties an opportunity to respond to the issue precludes appeal to the board based on that issue.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Prior to the conclusion of the initial evidentiary hearing, any participant may request an opportunity to present additional evidence, arguments or testimony regarding the application. The local hearings authority shall grant such request by continuing the public hearing pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection or leaving the record open for additional written evidence, arguments or testimony pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(b)

If the hearings authority grants a continuance, the hearing shall be continued to a date, time and place certain at least seven days from the date of the initial evidentiary hearing. An opportunity shall be provided at the continued hearing for persons to present and rebut new evidence, arguments or testimony. If new written evidence is submitted at the continued hearing, any person may request, prior to the conclusion of the continued hearing, that the record be left open for at least seven days to submit additional written evidence, arguments or testimony for the purpose of responding to the new written evidence.

(c)

If the hearings authority leaves the record open for additional written evidence, arguments or testimony, the record shall be left open for at least seven days. Any participant may file a written request with the local government for an opportunity to respond to new evidence submitted during the period the record was left open. If such a request is filed, the hearings authority shall reopen the record pursuant to subsection (7) of this section.

(d)

A continuance or extension granted pursuant to this section shall be subject to the limitations of ORS 215.427 (Final action on permit or zone change application) or 227.178 (Final action on certain applications required within 120 days) and ORS 215.429 (Mandamus proceeding when county fails to take final action on land use application within specified time) or 227.179 (Petition for writ of mandamus authorized when city fails to take final action on land use application within 120 days), unless the continuance or extension is requested or agreed to by the applicant.

(e)

Unless waived by the applicant, the local government shall allow the applicant at least seven days after the record is closed to all other parties to submit final written arguments in support of the application. The applicant’s final submittal shall be considered part of the record, but shall not include any new evidence. This seven-day period shall not be subject to the limitations of ORS 215.427 (Final action on permit or zone change application) or 227.178 (Final action on certain applications required within 120 days) and ORS 215.429 (Mandamus proceeding when county fails to take final action on land use application within specified time) or 227.179 (Petition for writ of mandamus authorized when city fails to take final action on land use application within 120 days).

(7)

When a local governing body, planning commission, hearings body or hearings officer reopens a record to admit new evidence, arguments or testimony, any person may raise new issues which relate to the new evidence, arguments, testimony or criteria for decision-making which apply to the matter at issue.

(8)

The failure of the property owner to receive notice as provided in this section shall not invalidate such proceedings if the local government can demonstrate by affidavit that such notice was given. The notice provisions of this section shall not restrict the giving of notice by other means, including posting, newspaper publication, radio and television.

(9)

For purposes of this section:

(a)

“Argument” means assertions and analysis regarding the satisfaction or violation of legal standards or policy believed relevant by the proponent to a decision. “Argument” does not include facts.

(b)

“Evidence” means facts, documents, data or other information offered to demonstrate compliance or noncompliance with the standards believed by the proponent to be relevant to the decision. [Formerly 197.763]

Source: Section 197.797 — Local quasi-judicial land use hearings; notice requirements; hearing procedures, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors197.­html.

Notes of Decisions

County ordinance violated this section by restricting time within which opponents could file evidence but was consistent with this section in allowing applicant to present additional evidence within 20-day period between county’s notice and hearing. 1000 Friends of Oregon v. Lane County, 102 Or App 68, 793 P2d 885 (1990)

As used in this statute, “sufficient specificity” requires no more than fair notice to adjudicators and opponents and is not analogous to specificity necessary for preservation in judicial proceedings. Boldt v. Clackamas County, 107 Or App 619, 813 P2d 1078 (1991)

When record of proceeding is reopened at LUBA’s direction on remand, “new issues” include remanded issues, but not issues that LUBA affirmed or reversed on their merits. Beck v. City of Tillamook, 313 Or 148, 831 P2d 678 (1992)

Reference to application for land use decision does not prevent use of quasi-judicial proceeding in other types of land use decisions. Department of Transportation v. City of Mosier, 161 Or App 252, 984 P2d 351 (1999)

Requirement of 20 days’ notice applies to new evidentiary hearing process initiated to comply with order of reviewing body. Hausam v. City of Salem, 178 Or App 417, 37 P3d 1039 (2001)

Where city’s public notice of limited hearing announced that hearing would not permit new evidence but prior record was reopened to new evidence during hearing, this section required city to give corrective notice of opportunity for any person to address new evidence. Trautman/Conte v. City of Eugene, 280 Or App 752, 383 P3d 420 (2016)

Law Review Citations

77 OLR 845 (1998); 36 WLR 441 (2000)

197.005
Legislative findings
197.010
Policy
197.012
Compact urban development
197.013
Implementation and enforcement are of statewide concern
197.015
Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and ORS 197A.300 to 197A.325
197.020
Land use decision considerations
197.022
Policy regarding ORS 215.433 and 227.184
197.030
Land Conservation and Development Commission
197.035
Officers
197.040
Duties of commission
197.045
Powers of commission
197.047
Notice to local governments and property owners of changes to commission rules or certain statutes
197.050
Interstate agreements and compacts
197.060
Biennial report
197.065
Biennial report analyzing uses of certain land
197.070
Public inspection of assessments prepared by commission
197.075
Department of Land Conservation and Development
197.085
Director
197.090
Duties and authority of director
197.095
Land Conservation and Development Account
197.158
Policy-neutral review and audit of statewide land use program
197.160
State Citizen Involvement Advisory Committee
197.165
Local Officials Advisory Committee
197.173
Findings regarding coordination between state agencies and local governments
197.175
Cities’ and counties’ planning responsibilities
197.178
Development applications
197.180
State agency planning responsibilities
197.183
Local government to notify Department of Aviation of applications received for certain water impoundments
197.186
Removal from buildable lands inventory of land subject to open space tax assessment
197.195
Limited land use decision
197.200
Refinement plan
197.225
Preparation
197.230
Considerations
197.235
Public hearings
197.240
Commission action
197.245
Commission amendment of initial goals
197.250
Compliance with goals required
197.251
Compliance acknowledgment
197.253
Participation in local proceedings required for submitting comments and objections
197.254
Bar to contesting acknowledgment, appealing or seeking amendment
197.256
Acknowledgment deadline for newly incorporated cities
197.265
State compensation for costs of defending compliance actions
197.270
Copies of comprehensive plan and land use regulations
197.274
Review of Metro regional framework plan
197.277
Oregon Forest Practices Act
197.279
Approved wetland conservation plans comply with goals
197.283
Commission to assure protection of ground water resources
197.286
Definitions for ORS 197.286 to 197.314 and 197.475 to 197.490
197.290
Housing production strategy
197.291
Review of housing production strategy
197.293
Identification of cities with unmet housing needs
197.296
Analysis of housing capacity and needed housing by Metro, cities outside of Metro and smaller cities
197.297
Analysis of housing capacity and needed housing in Metro cities
197.298
Priority of land to be included within urban growth boundary
197.299
Metro accommodation of needed housing and school lands
197.301
Metro report of performance measures
197.302
Metro determination of buildable land supply
197.303
“Needed housing” defined
197.304
Lane County accommodation of needed housing
197.307
Needed housing policy
197.308
Affordable housing allowed outright
197.309
Local requirements to develop affordable housing
197.311
Final action on affordable housing application
197.312
Limitation on city and county prohibitions
197.313
Interpretation of ORS 197.312
197.314
Required siting of manufactured homes
197.319
Procedures prior to request of an enforcement order
197.320
Power of commission to order compliance with goals and plans
197.324
Proceedings prior to order of compliance with goals
197.328
Procedures to consider order to comply with goals
197.335
Order for compliance with goals
197.340
Weight given to goals in planning practice
197.350
Burden of persuasion or proof in appeal to board or commission
197.353
Measure 37 timelines
197.360
“Expedited land division” defined
197.365
Application
197.370
Failure of local government to timely act on application
197.375
Appeal of local government to referee
197.380
Application fees
197.390
Activities on federal land
197.395
Application for permit
197.405
Designation of areas of critical state concern
197.410
Use and activities regulated
197.416
Metolius Area of Critical State Concern
197.430
Enforcement powers
197.431
Expansion of speedway destination site
197.432
Definitions for ORS 197.431 to 197.434
197.433
Development of major motor speedway
197.434
Traffic impacts of speedway destination
197.435
Definitions for ORS 197.435 to 197.467
197.440
Legislative findings
197.445
Destination resort criteria
197.450
Siting without taking goal exception
197.455
Siting of destination resorts
197.460
Compatibility with adjacent land uses
197.462
Use of land excluded from destination resort
197.465
Comprehensive plan implementing measures
197.467
Conservation easement to protect resource site
197.475
Policy
197.480
Planning for parks
197.485
Prohibition on restrictions of manufactured dwelling
197.488
Replacement of park destroyed by natural disaster
197.490
Restriction on establishment of park
197.492
Definitions for ORS 197.492 and 197.493
197.493
Placement and occupancy of recreational vehicle
197.505
Definitions for ORS 197.505 to 197.540
197.510
Legislative findings
197.520
Manner of declaring moratorium
197.522
Local government to approve subdivision, partition or construction
197.524
Local government to adopt moratorium or public facilities strategy following pattern or practice of delaying or stopping issuance of permits
197.530
Correction program
197.540
Review by Land Use Board of Appeals
197.610
Submission of proposed comprehensive plan or land use regulation changes to Department of Land Conservation and Development
197.612
Comprehensive plan or land use regulation changes to conform plan or regulations to new requirement in statute, goal or rule
197.615
Submission of adopted comprehensive plan or land use regulation changes to Department of Land Conservation and Development
197.620
Appeal of certain comprehensive plan or land use regulation decision-making
197.625
Acknowledgment of comprehensive plan or land use regulation changes
197.626
Submission of land use decisions that expand urban growth boundary or designate urban or rural reserves
197.627
Meaning of “compliance with the goals” for certain purposes
197.628
Periodic review
197.629
Schedule for periodic review
197.631
Commission to amend regulations to facilitate periodic review
197.633
Two phases of periodic review
197.636
Procedures and actions for failure to meet periodic review deadlines
197.637
Department of Land Conservation and Development may request review by Housing and Community Services Department of certain local housing measures
197.638
Department of Land Conservation and Development may request review by Oregon Business Development Department of local inventory and analysis of industrial and commercial land
197.639
State assistance teams
197.644
Modification of work program
197.646
Implementation of new requirement in goal, rule or statute
197.649
Fees for notice
197.650
Appeal to Court of Appeals
197.651
Appeal to Court of Appeals for judicial review of final order of Land Conservation and Development Commission
197.652
Regional problem-solving process
197.654
Regional problem-solving goals, actions and agreements
197.656
Commission approval of comprehensive plans not in compliance with goals
197.658
Modifying local work plan
197.659
Commission approval of certain changes in comprehensive plans or land use regulations
197.660
Definitions
197.663
Legislative findings
197.665
Locations of residential homes
197.667
Location of residential facility
197.670
Zoning requirements and prohibitions for residential homes and residential facilities
197.677
Policy
197.680
Legislative findings
197.685
Location of farmworker housing
197.707
Legislative intent
197.712
Commission duties
197.713
Industrial development on industrial lands outside urban growth boundaries
197.714
Cooperation of county and city concerning industrial development
197.716
Industrial and employment uses in listed counties
197.717
Technical assistance by state agencies
197.719
Industrial use of abandoned or diminished mill sites
197.722
Definitions for ORS 197.722 to 197.728
197.723
Designation of regionally significant industrial areas
197.724
Review of application for land use permit within regionally significant industrial area
197.726
Jurisdiction on appeal
197.727
Fee for review
197.728
Rules
197.732
Goal exceptions
197.734
Exceptions to certain statewide planning goal criteria
197.736
Commission implementation of ORS 197.340 and 197.732
197.746
Transitional housing accommodations
197.748
Conversion of hotel or motel to emergency shelter or affordable housing
197.752
Lands available for urban development
197.754
Land identified for urban services
197.756
Farm use assessment in area identified for urban services
197.758
Development of middle housing
197.761
Development of residential platted lot
197.764
Application to remove property from within urban growth boundary
197.766
Laws applicable to certain local decisions regarding urban growth boundary
197.768
Local government or special district adoption of public facilities strategy
197.770
Firearms training facilities
197.772
Consent for designation as historic property
197.782
Emergency shelters developed under temporary authorization
197.791
Inventory of local government surplus real property
197.794
Notice to railroad company upon certain applications for land use decision, limited land use decision or expedited land use decision
197.796
Applicant for certain land use decisions may accept and appeal condition imposed on application
197.797
Local quasi-judicial land use hearings
197.798
Rules regulating transportation improvements by city or county
197.805
Policy on review of land use decisions
197.810
Land Use Board of Appeals
197.815
Office location
197.820
Duty to conduct review proceedings
197.825
Jurisdiction of board
197.828
Board review of limited land use decision
197.829
Board to affirm certain local government interpretations
197.830
Review procedures
197.831
Appellate review of clear and objective approval standards, conditions and procedures for needed housing
197.832
Board Publications Account
197.835
Scope of review
197.840
Exceptions to deadline for final decision
197.843
Attorney fees for applicant developing affordable housing
197.845
Stay of decision being reviewed
197.850
Judicial review of board order
197.855
Deadline for final court order
197.860
Stay of proceedings to allow mediation
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