Joint City & County Planning Commission Work Session

The Joint City & County Planning Commission Work Session for Klamath County on September 10, 2026, focused primarily on updating housing development codes within the urban growth boundary to comply with recent state legislation and to address local housing needs. The session included a detailed presentation of a comprehensive code audit conducted by the consulting firm MIG, which identified areas for improvement such as adding housing types like accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, and cottage clusters, modernizing review procedures, and aligning city and county codes. Discussions emphasized the need for clear and objective zoning standards to reduce subjectivity in approvals, infrastructure adequacy for higher density housing, and potential new zoning overlays for sustainable housing. The commission also addressed challenges related to lengthy land use review processes and the importance of streamlining approvals to meet state mandates. Action items include drafting specific code amendments for review by late 2026, with adoption targeted for early 2027, and continued public engagement through open houses. The meeting highlighted the importance of balancing housing diversity, infrastructure capacity, and community compatibility in future development planning.