Community Planning Organization Handbook
Role of CPOs
Oregon's land use laws provide for CPOs as an integral part of the planning process. Many kinds of applications do not need administrative approval, such as uses that are permitted outright in the given zoning district (example: building a house in a residential zoning district). CPOs are not notified of these applications. Many types of applications, such as administrative, public hearing and legislative decisions by State law, require public notice to neighbors, newspapers and CPOs.
Review
The County's Planning Division notifies nearby landowners and forwards a copy of land use applications to CPOs for their review. Based upon the application and local knowledge, the CPO can make recommendations - not decisions - using the applicable zoning ordinance criteria to approve or disapprove an application. It is very important for the CPO to identify the reasons for their recommendation along with any vote, and identify how those reasons relate to the Zoning and Development Ordinance criteria applicable to the application. The Planning Division staff considers the information submitted by the applicant, agencies such as (Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Division of State Lands, fire departments and water/sewer agencies, County departments such as (Roads, Building, Engineering/Transportation, Soils and Water Environmental Services (WES)), notified landowners as well as the CPO. The Planning Division staff weighs this information against the zoning criteria and renders a decision for appr oval or modified approval with conditions, or for denial.
Appeal
If neighbors, landowners or a CPO disagree with the Planning Division staff decision, they can appeal to the Hearing Officer within 12 days of the administrative final decision mailing date. The Hearings Officer, appointed by the County Commissioners, acts as a land use judge in Clackamas County, by reviewing land use applications requiring public hearings and appealed administrative decisions. Most of the Hearings Officer's decisions can only be appealed to the Oregon State Land Use Board of Appeals. Other than an appeal, a Hearings Officer decision on an interpretation application may be taken to the Board of Commissioners for review and the Board will determine whether they should hear the application.
A recognized CPO under Subsection 1502.1 of the Clackamas County Zoning and Development Ordinance is not required to pay the appeal fee provided the "decision to file an appeal is made at a public meeting held in compliance with Oregon Public Meeting Laws."
CPO Boundaries
Boundaries for the CPOs in Clackamas County were established by order of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). Request for creation of a new CPO or change in existing CPO boundaries must be forwarded to the BCC.
CPO boundaries change automatically to exclude any areas within unincorporated Clackamas County if the area is annexed by neighboring cities. Boundaries should not overlap with another CPO unless each CPO agrees in writing and this change is approved by the BCC.
A citizen or designated representative of a business, corporation or trust is automatically a member in the CPO designated to operate within a given boundary.
