ORS 215.783 Land division to preserve open space or park; qualification for special assessment

The governing body of a county or its designee may approve a proposed division by partition of land in a forest zone or a mixed farm and forest zone to create one new parcel if the proposed division of land is for the purpose of allowing a provider of public parks or open space, or a not-for-profit land conservation organization, to purchase one of the resulting parcels as provided in this section.

A parcel created by the land division that is not sold to a provider of public parks or open space or to a not-for-profit land conservation organization must comply with the following:

If the parcel contains a dwelling or another use allowed under ORS chapter 215, the parcel must be large enough to support continued residential use or other allowed use of the parcel; or

If the parcel does not contain a dwelling, the parcel is eligible for siting a dwelling as may be authorized under ORS 195.120 or as may be authorized under ORS 215.705 to 215.750, based on the size and configuration of the parcel.

Before approving a proposed division of land under this section, the governing body of a county or its designee shall require as a condition of approval that the provider of public parks or open space, or the not-for-profit land conservation organization, present for recording in the deed records for the county in which the parcel retained by the provider or organization is located an irrevocable deed restriction prohibiting the provider or organization and their successors in interest from:

Establishing a dwelling on the parcel or developing the parcel for any use not authorized in a forest zone or mixed farm and forest zone except park or conservation uses; and

Pursuing a cause of action or claim of relief alleging an injury from farming or forest practices for which a claim or action is not allowed under ORS 30.936 or 30.937.

If a proposed division of land under this section results in the disqualification of a parcel for a special assessment described in ORS 308A.718 or the withdrawal of a parcel from designation as riparian habitat under ORS 308A.365, the owner must pay additional taxes as provided under ORS 308A.371 or 308A.700 to 308A.733 before the county may approve the division.