Projects Open For Public Comment
This project aims to implement this strategy by encouraging affordable, neighborhood-friendly housing.
A video that explains the project is available here
The More Housing, Same Great Neighborhood project will be considered at Planning Commission meetings over the next several months. The meetings occur on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 pm. If you have any questions, please contact Fred Evander at fevander@ci.independence.or.us.
At the Planning Commission meeting of January 5, the Commission will hold a public hearing on a potential change to the fence standards in the City of Independence to better accommodate fences that are six feet with barbed wire.
What is the Problem?
The City of Independence recently installed barbed wire on top of an existing six-foot tall fence to help protect the South Well Field and water tank along River Oak Road. Neighbors objected to the barbed wire, because the fence was in the Low-Density Residential Zone and the barbed wire was less than eight feet above the ground.
Given the complaint, the City studied the existing fence standards in IDC 74.020 and considered the fencing at several similar government uses. As part of the review, staff found:
- That the code does not effectively address fences for government uses in general.
- That a requirement for an eight-foot-tall fence is difficult to meet when barbed wire is being added to an existing six-foot-tall fence.
A potential change to address the issue: Draft Standards for Fences
Alternative changes to the standards: Alternative Approaches for Fence Requirements
At the Independence City Council meeting of January 13, 2026, the Council will continue a public hearing to discuss revised standards for mobile vending devices and food trucks.
The proposed revisions would make the existing process two separate steps:
1. Application for a Mobile Vending Location – Which would require a property owner to apply for and install the needed improvements to accommodate a mobile vendor or food truck on a property.
2. Application for a Mobile Vending Device – Which would be a subsequent smaller permit, submitted by the mobile vendor or food truck, that would detail the proposed use and provide copies of any required state/county permits. Draft
At the meeting on February 10, 2026, the Independence City Council will hold a public hearing to consider revisions to the Independence Development Code to address recent changes to Oregon state law related to House Bill 3395 (adopted in 2023) and House Bill 2138 (adopted in 2025).
What is the Problem?
During the 2023 legislative session, the State of Oregon passed HB 3395 – a housing omnibus bill. The bill required a variety of code changes for communities throughout the state.
Among the changes that affected the City of Independence included:
• The requirement to allow single room occupancies.
• The requirement to allow ground-floor housing units, affordable to households making 60% of area median income, in areas that allow ground-floor commercial development.
The State of Oregon adopted further changes to the standards for single room occupancies as part of HB 2138 in 2025.
What is Proposed?
The proposed code revisions (see below) incorporate a variety of changes related to single room occupancies to address the bills’ requirements, as well as a relatively simple change to allow ground-floor housing units in commercial zones under certain circumstances.
Proposed Code Changes:
The Independence City Council will hold a public hearing on December 9, 2025 (6:30 pm) to consider the annexation and rezone of approximately 12.4 acres off Corvallis Road, which will accommodate a future regional surface water treatment plant. If the annexation is approved, the property will be designated Public and zoned Public Service.
The annexation would also include the portion of the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-
way adjacent to the property to create a more coherent City boundary in the area.
Projects Under Construction
Southwest Crossing Subdivision (SUB 2021-01) – 5995 13th Street S – 67 Lots – Preliminary Subdivision Approved. Project Under Construction
West Coast Metals and Products (SDR 2024-02) – 601 Stryker Road – Site Design Review Approved. Engineering Approved.
Other Ongoing Projects
Station 203 (SDR 2021-01, CA 2021-07) – 203 Monmouth Street – Site Design Review and Certificate of Historic Appropriateness Approved.
510 S. 7th Street Subdivision (SUB 2022-01) – 510 S. 7th Street – 5 Lots – Preliminary Subdivision Approved. Plat Signed. Home Construction Ongoing.
