Marion County approves zone change for 19937 Highway 99E, grants Goal 3 exception

The Marion County Board of Commissioners voted March 25 to grant a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change for Case #24‑007, approving a change from Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) to Commercial for a 1.6‑acre portion of a 13.85‑acre parcel at 19937 Highway 99E in Aurora.

Commissioner Danielle Bethell moved to grant the application and to change the comprehensive plan designation from Primary Agriculture to Commercial with an exception to statewide planning Goal 3. Commissioner Kevin Cameron seconded the motion; the motion carried with Commissioners Bethell, Cameron and Colm Willis voting aye. The application was approved subject to the two conditions recommended by the hearings officer as recorded in the meeting minutes.

Record and participation: Commissioner Willis opened and closed the public hearing. The transcript records that one person signed up and provided public comment and that the applicant’s attorney submitted a printed PowerPoint presentation into the record; the transcript does not include the text of the public comment or the PowerPoint slides. The board’s approval includes the Goal 3 exception noted on the record and the hearings‑officer recommended conditions; the transcript does not provide those conditions’ full text.

Why it matters: the change moves a portion of the parcel out of Exclusive Farm Use into a commercial designation, which allows commercial uses under county rules and requires the Goal 3 exception in order to proceed under state planning rules. The decision alters permitted land uses on the specified 1.6‑acre area and may affect nearby agricultural and commercial activity.

Next steps: the zone change takes effect according to county land‑use procedures and the conditions imposed; the board adjourned at 9:50 a.m. on the same day. The transcript does not record appeals or subsequent administrative actions related to this approval.