McMinnville board approves annexation of parcels along Verilla Road and Manchester Highway after public hearing

The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday approved Resolution 2026-11 to annex several parcels along Verilla Road and Manchester Highway, a move staff said will formalize municipal service provision for land already receiving police and fire response.

Residents came to a public hearing before the vote to press for details. "I've been a resident there for a little over a year and a half," said Bar Flynn, identifying himself and asking whether the annexation notice covered seven tax IDs and whether those were separate owners. "Is that correct?" Flynn asked. Community Development staff, identified in the record as Sean, replied the properties are owned by a single owner and are seven distinct parcels and that no development plans or timeline have been submitted.

Neighbors repeatedly asked whether an access road would be built through the Stone Creek neighborhood and whether parts of the annexed land could be commercialized. "We just don't want people being able to go through the neighborhood to get to 55," said Cheryl Hopkins, a resident who said she lives on a cul‑de‑sac. Sean said the owner "said that... the cul de sac kind of answer, that will not be going through" and that portions adjacent to Highway 55 "may go commercial" while the larger parcel is likely to develop as residential R‑1.

City staff said annexation is a procedural step that enables the city to provide services and that zoning and subdivision approvals remain separate processes. "As it goes through the zoning process, it'd be similar to a rezoning, so there'll be notification at public... planning commission and this board," Sean said. He noted the county currently lacks zoning in the area, so subdivision and zoning requests would be handled by regional planning processes after annexation.

The board moved and passed the annexation resolution on a roll-call vote. Staff committed to notify neighbors when zoning and subdivision applications are filed so residents can participate in subsequent public hearings.

What happens next: Annexation takes effect as stated in Resolution 2026-11; specific zoning and subdivision plans must be filed and will be reviewed by the planning commission with public notice and additional chance for comment.