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An achievable plan that considers our valuable natural resources and benefits current and future residents, not just the developers.

Voters of Philomath chose not to support measure 2-102 Chapel Drive/Applegate annexation (Lowther property)
What was the issue? Out-of-town developers seek our approval to annex and rezone 159 acres containing protected wetlands and agricultural lands, primarily to build 660 single-family homes. The construction (with its noise and dust) is proposed to last for 10 years.
Where is the parcel? It goes from Chapel Dr to Applegate St, and from 23rd to 30th Streets.
The developers’ proposal is non-binding. For example, they could petition to change the zoning to multi-family housing to increase their profits.

What did this mean to the residents of Philomath?

Inadequate Water

You will hear that Philomath has more than enough water, but...
Philomath’s demand on available water resources is already at maximum levels.
No reliable water source to serve a massive housing development has been identified.
Even now, Philomath relies on water from Corvallis, which has the right to decrease our supply in case of drought, contamination, or other emergency.

Increased Traffic

660 new homes mean 1200 to 1300 more cars on Philomath Blvd and other roads.
ODOT says it does NOT plan to expand Philomath Blvd in the foreseeable future.

Tax Increases

By law, the fees the developers pay cannot be used to expand the library or keep police, fire, medical, and earthquake response at safe levels. That would fall to taxpayers.

This is the same proposal Philomath rejected in 2005 and 2006 by wide margins.

Impact Assessment

A Community Impact Study - click to open pdf document


Letters to the Editor and Arguments against the Annexation

OP-ED by Jon Bendixon, Octobers 29, 2016 - external link
OP-ED by Jeff Lamb, October 5, 2016 - external link
OP-ED by Mark Weiss, September 28, 2016 - external link


Letters to the Editor - Arguments for and against the annexation

OP-ED by Citizens of Philomath and Portland, Octobers 26, 2016 - external link


Additional links to pertinent information:

Benton County Voters Pamphlet - Arguments For and Against Measure 2-102 - click to open pdf document
Map of the Chapel Dr/Applegate Annexation - click to open pdf document
Eden Fodor's Twelve Big Myths About Growth - external link
The Costs of Growth: A Brief Overview - external link
Determining the Real Costs of Growth and Development and Who Should Pay - external link
Philomath's 2005 Water Study Shows That Even Then, the Water Supply was Questioned - external link
Philomath's Contract with Corvallis Gives Us Subordinate Water Rights - click to open pdf document


Past City Council Meetings & documents

Monday, May 14, 2018 at 7:00 p.m Public hearing to be held in the Council Chambers of Philomath City Hall, 980 Applegate, Philomath, Oregon, to receive public comment on the possible uses of proposed uses of State Revenue Sharing funds for the fiscal year 2018-19.
Monday, March 12, 2018, public hearing to consider of PC17-08 Annexation application from Millersburg Land & Development, LLC annexation of approximately 9.09 acres for the development of five houses per acre, resulting in approximately 45 new houses on Tax Lot 504 and north of Chapel Drive, held by Philomath City Council in the Council Chambers of Philomath City Hall.
Please see following documents from March 12, 2018 meeting:
Monday, February 5, 2018, the City of Corvallis held a public hearing at La Sells Stewart Center in Corvallis, OR concerning Voter-Approved Annexations.

Monday, January 22, 2018 in the Council of Chambers of Philomath City Hall, the first public hearing for Philomath annexations for 2018 was held before the planning commission.
Please see following documents from January 22, 2018 meeting:
Notice of Public Hearing of PC 17-09 Island Annexations.
Map of Identified Annex Properties discussed on January 22, 2018.
Public Hearing Agenda for January 22.
Grow Philomath Sensibly