Union County Commissioners to Consider Amended Zoning Ordinance Wednesday

Union County commissioners gathered Wednesday at the Joseph Building Annex Conference Room in La Grande to continue the second reading of Ordinance 2026-01, a proposed amendment to the county's zoning, partition, and subdivision ordinance that would revise Articles 12, 13, and 21 and establish temporary workforce housing as a conditional use.

The hearing, which opened at 9:20 a.m. with a staff report before commissioner discussion and action, picked up where the March 4 regular session left off. Commissioners Paul Anderes, R. Matthew Scarfo, and Jake Seavert presided over the full agenda alongside Administrative Officer Shelley Burgess.

Before the zoning hearing, Community Development Director Mike Boquist brought a fee waiver request before the board, and Union County Surveyor Jeff Hsu presented on the True Addition plat. Both items preceded the administrative business and the ordinance proceedings.

The board also took up several administrative matters under Court Order 2026-10, which concerned an appointment to the Union County Fair Board Association, along with a quitclaim deed listed under the name Frisch and a lease agreement with Nerd Mentality. Earlier in the session, EOLS Queen Candidate Keelie Jones appeared on the agenda for a formal recognition.

The consent agenda included claims journals from March 4 and 11 and meeting minutes from February 11.

Residents who could not attend in person had the option to participate remotely by calling (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715-8592 and entering meeting ID 814 2000 6863. Written comments were due to county administrative contact Allison Moore at amoore@union-county.org by 5 p.m. the Monday before the meeting.

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, at 9 a.m. at the same location.