The idea for a Craft Industrial District on the westside of downtown Newberg came from the Downtown Improvement Plan that was adopted in 2016. The area currently includes a mix of C-3 and M-2 light industrial zoning, and is intended to provide a mix of commercial and industrial uses to promote employment. Focus is on developing ‘craft industrial’ uses and maintaining a “grittier” feel more in keeping with the industrial heritage than the main-street, historic feel along parts of First Street. We recommend creating a new Craft Industrial Zoning District (M-5) to regulate the mix of uses allowed and prohibited, dimensional and design standards, and to provide better continuity for the area than can be achieved through existing split C-3 and M-2 zoning.

As proposed the creation of the new M-5 zoning district would do the following:

1. Changes the area currently identified as a mix of Central Business District (C-3) and Light Industrial (M-2) to a Craft Industrial Zoning District (M-5);
2. Changes the Comprehensive Plan Map designation for an area from Commercial and Industrial to a Mixed-Use designation;
3. Creates new “Craft Industrial” and “Live/Work Dwelling Unit” Definitions and Uses;
4. Maintains most of the same allowed uses in the Central Business District (C-3) and Light Industrial District (M-2);
5. Prohibits a limited number of uses currently allowed under the M-2 zoning including Heavy Manufacturing, Warehousing, Storage Units, and Outdoor Marijuana Producer Type Uses;
6. Creates a minimum lot size of 5,000 sq. ft. for the new M-5 district, whereas M-2 currently requires 20,000 sq. ft. and C-3 requires 5,000 sq. ft.;
7. Creates setback standards of 0’ Front Yard Setback, 0’ Interior Yard Setback, and 10’ Interior Yard Setback if abutting residential districts;
8. Requires no off-street parking requirements other than those for residential uses or locations that abut a residential district (including alley);
9. Allows loading zones to be in alley or on-street parking at Director’s discretion;
10. Applies limited landscaping standards, where in most cases landscaping is only required if installing parking;
11. Updates sign standards to allow for electronic message centers in the proposed district whereas C-3 currently does not allow;
12. Modifies the small-scale food production special use standards;
13. Creates new special use standards for craft industrial uses; and
14. Makes limited amendments to other sections of code for improved clarity.

Providing Public Input

Do you have input on this project? Staff is looking for your input and wants to see if there are further changes that should be made within the draft code language or map amendments. Any input, comments, or questions can be submitted to Jeremiah Cromie, Associate Planner, at jeremiah.cromie@newbergoregon.gov or 503-554-7772.

Public Meetings

The tentative schedule for adopting a new district is as follows with meeting dates:

October 10, 2024: Planning Commission Workshop , beginning at 7 p.m.

November 14, 2024: Planning Commission Hearing, beginning at 7 p.m.

November 18, 2024: City Council Workshop, beginning at 6 p.m.

December 2, 2024: City Council Hearing, beginning at 6 p.m.

January 2, 2025: Effective Date for New District

These meetings are held at Newberg’s Public Safety Building at 401 E Third Street Newberg, Oregon. There is usually a virtual option of the meetings. You can see the City’s meeting schedule online at https://www.newbergoregon.gov/meetings. All meetings are open to the public.

FAQ

Will my business still be legal if these proposed amendments get adopted?

Yes, staff has reviewed the existing uses in the proposed district and believes all current uses would still be permitted in the new district moving forward and would not be non-conforming uses.