City of Newberg July 7, 2025 meeting recording
Overview
The Newberg City Council met July 7 to discuss a range of public works projects and community development issues. The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Newberg Urban Renewal Agency (NURA) and debated proposed changes to the city’s vacation home rental policy. Councilors also held a work session on the Newberg Economic Opportunities Analysis and discussed a potential property de-annexation.
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In Attendance
- Mayor Bill Rosacker
- Councilor Mike McBride
- Councilor Robyn Wheatley
- Councilor Elise Yarnell-Hollamon
- Councilor Peggy Kilburg
- Councilor Jeri Turgesen
- Councilor Derek Carmon
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Will Worthey presented the narrative report for June. The Summer Reading Program at the Newberg Public Library is off to a strong start, and recent concrete work has been completed, making the library ADA compliant. Phase 1 of the Stormwater Master Plan update was completed June 16, with Phase 2 expected to begin in July.
The city adopted its biennial budget in June, finalized supplemental budget No. 3, and began preparations for the end of the fiscal year. Building permits were approved for 20 single-family homes in the Collina development, and an expansion of the daycare at Northwest Christian Church was submitted for approval.
The Fulton Road repair project came in under budget. Other recent public works activities include road maintenance, water line repair, street sweeping, and dust abatement.
Continued Business
NURA Intergovernmental Agreement for River Street Repair Financing
The council approved a resolution authorizing an intergovernmental agreement to create a financing vehicle for NURA to begin the River Street Capital Improvement Project. The project will fully rebuild River Street, with a maximum allocation of $12.6 million.
The council then unanimously approved a motion allowing Keller Engineering to begin the scoping phase of the project immediately, including the development of cost estimates.
Water Treatment Plant Basin Covers
The council unanimously approved a motion to award Cedar Mill Construction a contract to build covering structures for water basins at Newberg’s water treatment plant. This is in response to an unfunded mandate from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which has threatened fines for noncompliance.
Public Hearing
Vacation Home Rental Regulations
Assistant Planner James Dingwall presented an ordinance amending Newberg’s municipal code to update vacation home rental regulations. The update, which began in March 2024, aims to encourage responsible tourism, increase compliance, and clarify vacation rental operations.
Proposed changes include:
- Adjustments to the transient lodging tax
- Zoning updates for vacation rentals
- Revised parking requirements and other operational standards
- A cap on vacation rental homes at 2% of total households
- An updated registration process for new rentals
- A shift from conditional use permits to special use permits
Public Comment
Resident Robert Soppe expressed concerns about the growing number of vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. He urged councilors to consider a density cap limiting the number of rentals per neighborhood, warned that switching from conditional to special use permits would reduce public input and transparency, and requested more specific language requiring rental managers to respond promptly to complaints.
Councilors debated the proposed changes at length. Some recommended pausing the process to allow further staff research into a potential density cap, while others supported moving forward with the ordinance and revisiting the density issue in one year.
The council approved the ordinance with an amendment to revisit the density cap in a year. The motion passed 5-1, with Councilor Carmon voting against.
New Business
Economic Opportunities Analysis Work Session
The council held a work session to review the Newberg Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA), a key component of the city’s economic development strategy. The EOA assesses the city’s land supply to determine whether there is sufficient space to support future job growth. Adoption of the EOA is scheduled for August.
De-Annexation Discussion
Councilors discussed a request to de-annex 1828 and 1835 Waterfront St. for the development of single-family homes and storage units. The process would require coordination with Yamhill County and NURA. No action was taken, as the city has not yet received a formal application.
The council then entered executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) and adjourned.
