Ex parte contacts, sketchy procedure and suspect allies.
As Philomath staggers under the onslaught of recent new developments and annexations, the latest
proposed development in town, the Lepman Master Planned Development has come under close
scrutiny by many local residents, business owners and community stakeholders.
After months of questionable Land Use procedure and public involvement practices between City
Officials and Philomath residents, several highly improper events took place at the Philomath Chamber of Commerce September luncheon.
In a room filled with local business owners, non-profit representatives, community leaders and City
officials, developer Scott Lepman presented his proposal for the already denied Master Planned
Development of 39 acres on the North side of Philomath. Beautiful full color 11x17, double-sided flyers, touting the benefits to Philomath of the RV Park, Self-Storage and Industrial Flex Space, were placed at each table. Key phrases such as “tourism, higher profits and honoring rural lifestyles” jumped off the pages.
Just weeks prior, on August 26 th , the Philomath Planning Commission had denied Lepman’s Master
Planned Development application. That denial was based on Development Criteria that was not met as defined by State Law and the Philomath Comprehensive Plan. The denial cited inadequate job
development and the risk of the RV park becoming substandard housing, which has happened at The
Blue Ox of Albany, another Lepman owned RV Park.
Without opportunity for dozens of Chamber Members to hear opposing presentations of the proposal
and the ability to consider 1000+ pages of the application, including dozens of testimonies in opposition, Mr. Lepman presented his plan as if approved.
Shockingly, after the luncheon, Philomath’s Mayor, City Manager and the developer, Scott Lepman
engaged in lengthy conversation, raising concerns of ex parte contact. Just days later, confirming those concerns, a letter from the President of the Chamber of Commerce “on behalf of the Board” was filed. Clearly a conflict of interest, the Chamber of Commerce Director, is the wife of the mayor and a family member of a prominent builder, with ties to other developers, like Scott Lepman. Allowing a heavily biased presentation of the development proposal to the Chamber of Commerce membership after it was denied by the Planning Commission is procedurally incorrect and unethical.
A denied Land Use proposal, under appeal, has no business being presented one-sidedly before the
Chamber Members as an approved development proposal. More importantly, how does a letter
representing the Chamber Board and subsequently, the 95+ members of the Philomath Chamber of
Commerce get submitted on behalf of the developer? Especially considering Philomath’s Chamber of
Commerce has many members who have taken a public stand against this development. Additionally,
The Chamber of Commerce has had no official record of involvement in this proposal until after the
luncheon.
Regulation of Land Use Decision is outlined extensively in the Oregon Constitution, the Oregon Revised Statutes, the DLCD, and Philomath’s Municipal Code. It is outlined extensively because it is the law. Philomath citizens should expect nothing less than compliance, transparency and honesty when it comes to the development of Philomath.
As the proposal for the Lepman Master Planned Development comes again before City Officials on
October 15th, it is vital that Philomath citizens rally against this development that will bring higher taxes, substandard housing, minimal jobs and substantial pressure on our limited water resources. We must recognize that the Lepman Master Planned Development will take more from our community than it will contribute, before it is too late.
Submitted by Grow Philomath Sensibly,
For more information: www.GrowPhilomathSensibly.com
Sandy Heath, Chair
Jeff Lamb, Co-Chair
Catherine Biscoe, Secretary
Lawrence Johnson, Treasurer
Note: Column Submitted as an “As We See It” Column for the Corvallis Gazette Times
October 4, 2019
