Oregon court overturns time limit to replace farmland homes

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Court of Appeals has ruled that dwellings can be rebuilt on farmlands regardless of when the original buildings were removed.

The Capital Press reports the court has overturned a ruling by Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals that dwellings could only be rebuilt if property taxes were imposed on the structures within the past five years.

The case stems from a dispute that occurred after a landowner sought to rebuild houses that were demolished decades ago on farmland near Florence.

Lane County officials allowed the construction, based on a 2013 bill that eased the replacement process for buildings on farmland under the land use statute.

The farmland preservation group Landwatch Lane County says it hasn’t yet decided whether to challenge the decision before the Oregon Supreme Court.

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Information from: Capital Press, http://www.capitalpress.com/washington