Winston Council To Consider Housing And Commercial Zoning For 73-Acre Property

WINSTON, Ore. - A long-vacant property near Highway 42 and Brockway Road could move closer to future housing and commercial development as the Winston City Council considers zoning changes for approximately 73 acres Monday, November 16.

The proposal from Birch Springs LLC would update the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning maps for 73.44 acres within Winston’s city limits and urban growth boundary. The property’s existing land-use configuration traces back to a 1994 golf course development concept that was never built.

Under the proposed changes, the property would include approximately 39.30 acres of low-density residential land, 28.34 acres of high-density residential land and 5.80 acres of general commercial land.

The council is scheduled to consider the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 26-727 during its meeting at 7 p.m. at Winston City Hall.

A Step Toward Future Housing

The proposal comes as Winston plans for additional housing needs. According to the city’s staff report, its 2022 Housing Needs Analysis projects demand for 745 additional homes by 2040 and recommends evaluating agricultural and open-space land within the urban area for appropriate urban zoning.

That figure represents the city’s projected housing need, rather than the number of homes proposed for Birch Springs.

The November 2 draft council minutes describe a concept involving apartment complexes and a small subdivision on the southern portion of the property. However, the ordinance under consideration would approve only changes to the land-use maps.

A subdivision, site development or construction would require additional applications and review. The packet does not establish a final housing count or construction schedule.

How The Land Designations Would Change

The property already includes some residential and commercial designations. The proposal would eliminate its approximately 35.89 acres of Agriculture/Open Space designation and introduce 39.30 acres of Residential Low Density C zoning.

High-density residential acreage would decrease from approximately 31.26 acres to 28.34 acres, while general commercial acreage would decrease from approximately 6.29 acres to 5.80 acres.

City staff says the changes would update the long-standing, undeveloped land-use configuration while providing opportunities for both low- and high-density housing and retaining commercial land near the highway.

Road Improvements And Infrastructure Required

The proposed ordinance includes seven conditions governing future development.

A left-turn lane at Highway 42 and Brockway Road would be required before new occupancy permits are issued once development generates at least 10 westbound left-turn trips during the afternoon peak hour.

The conditions also require dedication of right-of-way to the Oregon Department of Transportation for a future roundabout before new occupancy permits are issued. The ordinance does not establish a construction schedule for that roundabout.

Any new direct access to Highway 42 would require ODOT permits and associated mitigation.

Future development would also need to demonstrate adequate water, sewer, stormwater, fire flow, transportation capacity and emergency access. Floodplain, wetland, riparian, archaeological and other applicable resource requirements would remain part of subsequent review.

Council Decision Scheduled Monday

The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions, and the council advanced the ordinance through its first reading November 2. City staff recommends adoption at the November 16 meeting.

The ordinance would not authorize city spending or commit funding for infrastructure. Costs and responsibilities for future improvements would be evaluated through later development and permitting processes.

If adopted, the ordinance would take effect 30 days afterward.

The Winston City Council meets Monday, November 16, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 201 NW Douglas Boulevard.