Keizer to expand public outreach on Urban Growth Boundary and housing capacity analysis

Keizer City staff told the council on Jan. 20 that the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) work remains incomplete and the next formal step is a work session to review town‑hall feedback and online survey results. Adam Brown said the council previously set two town halls and an online survey as goals for the two‑year cohort; scheduling has slipped for higher‑priority items and staff recommended slotting a UGB review into an upcoming regular council meeting if the agenda is light.

Councilor Christopher read aloud a Facebook post from a resident that suggested councilors and, in the post’s wording, "mayor Julie Boyd" were leading efforts to expand the UGB to the benefit of developers. Christopher clarified the intent is to solicit community input and give the community a voice; a builder in the audience said homeowners and developers would have a chance to speak through the process.

Staff (Mister Witham) clarified statutory changes: the former 'housing needs analysis' is now termed a 'housing capacity analysis' (HCA) and must be paired with a housing production strategy (HPS) under state law, with adoption deadlines staff identified around 2028–2029. Brown urged early engagement so Keizer can prepare for the HCA/HPS timeline.

Council asked staff to resend study materials and the Salem analysis referenced in recent correspondence and to post the documents publicly so property owners can see the background studies. Staff agreed to circulate the Salem memo and to publish materials where possible.

No policy decision or UGB boundary change was made at the session; the council's direction was to schedule public review of survey and town‑hall findings and to fold UGB outreach into the city’s forthcoming public meetings and the housing capacity analysis planning.