OAR 660-025-0140: Notice and Filing of Objections (Work Task Phase)

(1) After the local government makes a final decision on a work task or comprehensive plan amendment listed in ORS 197.626(1) and OAR 660-025-0175, the local government must notify the department and persons who participated at the local level orally or in writing during the local process or who requested notice in writing. The local government notice must contain the following information: (a) Where a person can review a copy of the local government's final decision, and how a person may obtain a copy of the final decision; (b) The requirements listed in section (2) of this rule for filing a valid objection to the work task or comprehensive plan amendment listed in OAR 660-025-0175; and (c) That objectors must give a copy of the objection to the local government. (2) Persons who participated orally or in writing in the local process leading to the final decision may object to the local government's submittal. To be valid, objections must: (a) Be in writing and filed with the department's Salem office no later than 21 days from the date the local government sent the notice; (b) Clearly identify an alleged deficiency in the work task or adopted comprehensive plan amendment sufficiently to identify the relevant section of the final decision and the statute, goal, or administrative rule the submittal is alleged to have violated; (c) Suggest specific revisions that would resolve the objection; and (d) Demonstrate that the objecting party participated orally or in writing in the local process leading to the final decision. (3) Objections that do not meet the requirements of section (2) of this rule will not be considered by the director or commission. (4) If no valid objections are received within the 21-day objection period, the director may approve the submittal. Regardless of whether valid objections are received, the director may make a determination of whether the final decision complies with the statewide planning goals and applicable statutes and administrative rules. (5) When a subsequent work task conflicts with a work task that has been deemed acknowledged, or violates a statewide planning goal, applicable statute or administrative rule related to a previous work task, the director or commission shall not approve the submittal until all conflicts and compliance issues are resolved. In such case, the director or commission may enter an order deferring acknowledgment of all, or part, of the work task until completion of additional tasks. (6) If valid objections are received or the department conducts its own review, the department must issue a report. The report shall address the issues raised in valid objections. The report shall identify specific work tasks or measures to resolve valid objections or department concerns. A valid objection shall either be sustained or rejected by the department or commission based on the statewide planning goals, or applicable statutes or administrative rules.