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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Didn’t Philomath vote on the same annexation proposal last year? Why another vote?

Yes. We’ve brought the proposal back to voters because we believe there is a real need for more housing in Philomath, especially homes that young families can afford to buy. This year, we’re making a concerted effort to give Philomath voters more information about the Chapel Drive development and what it has to offer them and the city.

2. How many homes will be built?

The Philomath City Council and the City Planning Commission have approved 660 single-family homes in the Chapel Drive development, along with five acres of commercially zoned property and a 26-acre public park. However, the area will be developed in phases over the next 12 to 15 years, with at most about 50 built per year, depending on market demand. If approved, the first families will begin moving in about two years from now.

3. Will property tax rates go up if the area is annexed?

No. Your property tax rates will remain the same. Having paid off all bonds last year, the city of Philomath will only assess the permanent tax rate of $5.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the 2006-2007 budget year. Developing the land will increase the value of the property, with new homes added to the local tax base. This will increase revenue for the city and the school district.

4. Who will pay to extend roads, utility service and other infrastructure to the annexed area?

The developer will pay upfront costs to extend roads and utility infrastructure to the property. With each building permit issued, the developer also pays system development fees to the city, which are supposed to go toward maintaining that infrastructure. Other city services and infrastructure will be covered by property tax revenue, which will increase with new homes expanding the city’s tax base.

5. Does Philomath have enough water to support this development?

Yes. The City Council, Planning Commission and Public Works Committee have all studied the water supply issue extensively as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. According to the city’s Public Works Director, Mary’s River provides more than adequate water to support expected growth for the next 20 years or more. The city owns two senior water rights to the river as well. In addition, the developers have agreed to build a $2.6 million, 1.75 million gallon reservoir that will serve the entire city of Philomath.

6. Do local schools have room for more students?

Yes. Enrollment in Philomath schools has actually been declining since 2000. Currently, the combined enrollment at Philomath Elementary School, Clemens Primary School, Philomath Middle School and Philomath High School is about 1,700 students. However, existing school facilities can easily accommodate another 500 students.

7. How will the annexation help our schools?

New students will increase enrollment, which will increase state funding to the Philomath School District. The new houses will also expand the local property tax base, increasing revenue for the city and the school district.

8. Can the city afford to grow?

Yes. According to the 2006-2007 budget update in the city’s summer newsletter, Philomath’s finances are solid. All bonds were paid off last year, and the city has completed several major capital improvements using cash reserves instead of new bond issues. Currently, the city has set aside more than $1 million in cash reserves to fund planned future projects.

9. How will the annexation affect the police and fire departments?

Obviously, there will be new homes and new residents to protect. However, new residents are also new taxpayers. Expanding the city’s tax base will increase revenue, providing additional funding for the police and fire departments.

10.Will increased traffic overburden existing city streets?

No. To accommodate traffic to and from the Chapel Drive development, the developer will pay for the city to add left turn lanes at the intersections of 24th and 26th Streets with Highway 20/34. System development fees will generate up to $2.5 million for other street improvements.

11.How will population increase with the annexation?

Because the Chapel Drive development will be built in phases, it will add population gradually over the next 12 to 15 years. When the area is fully built out, city planners estimate it will increase the city’s population by 1,800 to 2,000 people. That’s about the same rate of growth Philomath has seen since the 1990 census.

12.What is the size range for the homes to be built? What are the lot sizes? What will the price range be?

The Chapel Drive development will give Philomath something it doesn’t have today: a wide range of housing choices. Homes will be built in three price ranges, with sizes ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. Most lots will be the standard 7,000 square feet, although some larger lots may be available.

13.How will current Philomath residents benefit if the Chapel Drive property is annexed and developed?

Philomath has a very limited inventory of available housing, especially housing that young families can afford to buy. If you currently rent in Philomath, you may be able to buy a home in the Chapel Drive development. If the home you currently own is too big or too small, the Chapel Drive development will give you choices you don’t have today, including the latest features, amenities and energy-efficient construction. And if you own a business in Philomath, the development will bring in new customers.

14.How will the proposed development affect the environment?

Although the property was once farmland, it has not been used for farming in years, and the surrounding neighborhoods make farming on the property impractical. The development plan preserves the XX acres of existing wetlands and riparian corridors on the property, in compliance with the city’s development code, along with state and federal regulations.

15.Does the development include any park space?

Yes. The Chapel Drive development includes walking and biking trails that will give children a safe, direct route to nearby schools away from vehicle traffic, as well as a 26-acre public park for everyone in Philomath to enjoy.

 
 
© copyright 2006, Chapel Hill annexation
H&R Homes-faqs
H & R Housing

 

 

left navigation
Big Water Tower Public Safety School Enrollment

dog

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Didn’t Philomath vote on the same annexation proposal last year? Why another vote?

Yes. We’ve brought the proposal back to voters because we believe there is a real need for more housing in Philomath, especially homes that young families can afford to buy. This year, we’re making a concerted effort to give Philomath voters more information about the Chapel Drive development and what it has to offer them and the city.

2. How many homes will be built?

The Philomath City Council and the City Planning Commission have approved 660 single-family homes in the Chapel Drive development, along with five acres of commercially zoned property and a 26-acre public park. However, the area will be developed in phases over the next 12 to 15 years, with at most about 50 built per year, depending on market demand. If approved, the first families will begin moving in about two years from now.

3. Will property tax rates go up if the area is annexed?

No. Your property tax rates will remain the same. Having paid off all bonds last year, the city of Philomath will only assess the permanent tax rate of $5.30 per $1,000 of assessed property value for the 2006-2007 budget year. Developing the land will increase the value of the property, with new homes added to the local tax base. This will increase revenue for the city and the school district.

4. Who will pay to extend roads, utility service and other infrastructure to the annexed area?

The developer will pay upfront costs to extend roads and utility infrastructure to the property. With each building permit issued, the developer also pays system development fees to the city, which are supposed to go toward maintaining that infrastructure. Other city services and infrastructure will be covered by property tax revenue, which will increase with new homes expanding the city’s tax base.

5. Does Philomath have enough water to support this development?

Yes. The City Council, Planning Commission and Public Works Committee have all studied the water supply issue extensively as part of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. According to the city’s Public Works Director, Mary’s River provides more than adequate water to support expected growth for the next 20 years or more. The city owns two senior water rights to the river as well. In addition, the developers have agreed to build a $2.6 million, 1.75 million gallon reservoir that will serve the entire city of Philomath.

6. Do local schools have room for more students?

Yes. Enrollment in Philomath schools has actually been declining since 2000. Currently, the combined enrollment at Philomath Elementary School, Clemens Primary School, Philomath Middle School and Philomath High School is about 1,700 students. However, existing school facilities can easily accommodate another 500 students.

7. How will the annexation help our schools?

New students will increase enrollment, which will increase state funding to the Philomath School District. The new houses will also expand the local property tax base, increasing revenue for the city and the school district.

8. Can the city afford to grow?

Yes. According to the 2006-2007 budget update in the city’s summer newsletter, Philomath’s finances are solid. All bonds were paid off last year, and the city has completed several major capital improvements using cash reserves instead of new bond issues. Currently, the city has set aside more than $1 million in cash reserves to fund planned future projects.

9. How will the annexation affect the police and fire departments?

Obviously, there will be new homes and new residents to protect. However, new residents are also new taxpayers. Expanding the city’s tax base will increase revenue, providing additional funding for the police and fire departments.

10.Will increased traffic overburden existing city streets?

No. To accommodate traffic to and from the Chapel Drive development, the developer will pay for the city to add left turn lanes at the intersections of 24th and 26th Streets with Highway 20/34. System development fees will generate up to $2.5 million for other street improvements.

11.How will population increase with the annexation?

Because the Chapel Drive development will be built in phases, it will add population gradually over the next 12 to 15 years. When the area is fully built out, city planners estimate it will increase the city’s population by 1,800 to 2,000 people. That’s about the same rate of growth Philomath has seen since the 1990 census.

12.What is the size range for the homes to be built? What are the lot sizes? What will the price range be?

The Chapel Drive development will give Philomath something it doesn’t have today: a wide range of housing choices. Homes will be built in three price ranges, with sizes ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet. Most lots will be the standard 7,000 square feet, although some larger lots may be available.

13.How will current Philomath residents benefit if the Chapel Drive property is annexed and developed?

Philomath has a very limited inventory of available housing, especially housing that young families can afford to buy. If you currently rent in Philomath, you may be able to buy a home in the Chapel Drive development. If the home you currently own is too big or too small, the Chapel Drive development will give you choices you don’t have today, including the latest features, amenities and energy-efficient construction. And if you own a business in Philomath, the development will bring in new customers.

14.How will the proposed development affect the environment?

Although the property was once farmland, it has not been used for farming in years, and the surrounding neighborhoods make farming on the property impractical. The development plan preserves the XX acres of existing wetlands and riparian corridors on the property, in compliance with the city’s development code, along with state and federal regulations.

15.Does the development include any park space?

Yes. The Chapel Drive development includes walking and biking trails that will give children a safe, direct route to nearby schools away from vehicle traffic, as well as a 26-acre public park for everyone in Philomath to enjoy.

 
 
© copyright 2006, Chapel Hill annexation