Odell Community Planning begins second phase

The planning process to designate Odell as an urban unincorporated community is now in Phase II.

Unincorporated community plans allow communities to tailor land-use planning to local needs. This can enable higher-density development than what is allowed on rural land, offer long-range growth predictability, support economic development, and facilitate urban services such as sewer and water.

Until designated as an unincorporated community, Odell’s property is classified as "rural land." This classification requires a minimum residential lot size of two acres, permits a maximum of one single-family dwelling per parcel, and limits most commercial building sizes to 3,000 square feet.

Odell Current Boundry

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The community of Odell, like much of Hood River County, is experiencing rapid growth, leading to rising housing costs and limited rental options. A report titled “Odell Housing and Public Facilities Analysis,” prepared by consultant ECOnorthest for Hood River County and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), outlines the current housing situation. This report lays the foundation for Phase II’s long-term vision supporting diverse housing options for those who already live and work in the community, while preserving Odell’s character.

The study also assesses the potential for new dwelling units based on the existing public facilities, such as sewer, water, and transportation systems. Additionally, it identifies two possible boundary options. An unincorporated community boundary located within 10 miles of an urban growth area (UGA) cannot be expanded in the future. With Odell about seven miles from the Hood River UGA, this presents a challenge for planning and future growth.

The Phase II scope of work and budget were developed in collaboration with ECOnorthwest and DLCD staff and is supported by a state grant from DLCD. A new advisory committee is forming consisting of the Planning Commission and four community members appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. This committee will meet at least four times between April 2026 and May 2027 to review documents for the Odell Community Plan and provide feedback to County staff and their consultants on various topics, including the final community boundary, future zoning designations, development standards, and related items.

The Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt the Odell Community Plan once the process is complete, likely by mid-2027.

Phase I community engagement included two kickoff events in English and Spanish with around 80 members attending both events.

Odell’s open house events provided community members opportunities for input.

In 2024, the County completed a similar planning process to designate Parkdale as an urban unincorporated community. Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 14 (Urbanization) officially establishes unincorporated communities, including their boundaries, permitted uses, and zoning for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. Hood River County has formally identified other unincorporated communities and rural service centers, such as Oak Grove, Rockford, Windmaster, Van Horn (Pine Grove), and Mt. Hood. Odell is the final unincorporated community in the County to be designated.

Snapshot of Odell

Demographics:

• Younger population (median age 27 vs. 40 in the County)
• Larger households (average size 3.9 vs. 2.5 in the County)
• Primarily Latino (66% vs. 31% in the County)
• 2.2% average annual growth per year in the past two decades (compared to the County’s 1.6% average annual growth per year)

Housing Stock:

• Predominantly single-family detached (59%)
• 39% mobile homes
• Limited rental options
• Over 90% of homes are owner-occupied

Land Capacity within the existing Odell boundaries:

• 65 acres of land available for new residential buildings in existing exception areas
• Potential to build 237 new homes if more housing types are allowed
• 66 acres of buildable land available for industrial and commercial uses

Boundary Options:

• Two boundary options identified to balance growth and protect high-value farmland. (see maps)
• Includes 112 additional acres of buildable land, mostly for residential uses
• Capacity of about 313 new dwelling units
• The chosen boundary may influence zoning and density recommendations

Odell Boundry Option A

Odell Boundry Option B

Public Facilities:

Current water, sewer, transportation, and school systems generally have capacities to support new housing development. Some infrastructure upgrades would be needed.