Mayor Scott Keyser

There has been a great deal of information circulating recently from a group calling itself the Molalla CPO regarding the proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) expansion. Unfortunately, much of that information has been inaccurate, misleading, or missing important context.

First, it's important to understand that the Molalla CPO is not a City of Molalla committee, board, or sanctioned organization. It is not affiliated with or authorized by the City. In fact, it is led by an individual who lives outside the Molalla city limits and does not pay City of Molalla property taxes. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, residents should understand that this group does not speak on behalf of the City or its elected officials.

Before sharing information or forming an opinion, I encourage everyone to verify the facts through official City sources rather than relying on social media posts or claims that may not be accurate.

If you want factual information and the opportunity to ask questions directly, please attend the UGB Town Hall on Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the Molalla Civic Center. This is your chance to hear from City staff, review the data, and ask questions yourself.

Here are the facts provided by the City:

- Every Oregon city with a population over 10,000 is required by state law to complete a Housing Need Analysis (HNA) using population forecasts provided by the PSU Population Research Center.

- Molalla completed its HNA in 2023 using the forecasts available at that time, as required by law.

- The HNA was funded through a $60,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). However, the grant did not cover approximately $30,000 to $40,000 in City staff time dedicated to completing the project.

- PSU updates its population forecasts every year, and those numbers can fluctuate significantly, particularly following unusual events such as the 2020 pandemic.

- Updating the HNA now would require replacing it with a new Housing Capacity Analysis (HCA) under rules that took effect on January 1, 2026. Those rules and guidance from DLCD are still being finalized.

- Housing Need Analyses are typically updated on an eight-year cycle. It is very uncommon for cities to redo them annually because projections fluctuate.

- A new HCA would require applying for another DLCD grant during a future grant cycle. Funding is not guaranteed and the project would likely cost at least $115,000 in taxpayer dollars, plus additional City staff time.

- Earlier this year, the Molalla City Council spent time during two separate meetings discussing whether to commission a new study. After weighing the costs, uncertainties, and the possibility that future forecasts could increase again, the Council voted not to pursue a new analysis.

- The City also completed a required Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) in 2025. That study found Molalla has enough smaller industrial parcels but lacks larger industrial sites needed to attract family-wage employers. The City is proposing two larger industrial parcels near the wastewater treatment plant.

- As part of the planning process, the City identified 44 acres of industrial land within the existing UGB that is better suited for residential development. Those acres reduce the amount of additional residential land needed through expansion.

- All of Molalla's high-density (R3) housing needs have already been accommodated through rezoning. The remaining need is primarily low-density (R1) housing. The City is using a conservative planning assumption of seven units per acre outside the UGB, which further reduces the amount of land needed for expansion.

- The City has also applied for grant funding to complete a Local Wetlands Inventory (LWI) after the UGB expansion and to prepare a concept plan for the expansion area. The wetlands inventory may identify additional protected areas, resulting in less land available for development and more land preserved as open space.

- Expanding the Urban Growth Boundary does not automatically annex property into the City. Annexation is entirely property-owner driven. If landowners do not want to annex into the City, they are under no obligation to do so. Growth will occur only if property owners choose to annex and there is market demand.

- If population projections ultimately prove too high, annexations may never occur. UGB planning is about preparing for potential future growth—not forcing growth.

- Conversely, failing to plan for enough housing increases pressure on the existing housing supply, making homes less affordable for current and future Molalla residents.

Please take the time to attend the Town Hall, ask questions, and make your decision based on facts rather than fear or misinformation. An informed community is always stronger than one driven by rumors.

I've come to the conclusion that there's an epidemic going around. People either have explosive diarrhea... or an explosive case of entitlement. I'm still waiting for the CDC to weigh in.

Here's some bad news if you're hoping to ruin my day: it's not happening. You don't have enough ammo.

If you want something in life, get off the sidelines and work your ass off. And here's the part people hate hearing: even hard work isn't always enough. You still have to take risks, seize opportunities, and grab life by the balls. Nobody is coming to rescue you.

If your life plan consists of making excuses, protecting your own backside, waiting for someone else to fix your problems, or standing around with your hand out like the universe owes you something... I've got some disappointing news.

I'm fresh out of sympathy coupons.

I'm in the "watch and evaluate" phase. I pay attention to who shows up, who gets things done, who takes responsibility, and who just creates drama, complains, and somehow manages to be the victim in every single story.

Life doesn't hand out participation trophies for whining.

So if you're bringing excuses, save your breath. If you're bringing solutions, pull up a chair.

Now quit crying, quit complaining, and let's get after it.

All gas. No brakes. Full send.

🎆 Happy 4th of July, Molalla! 🇺🇸

It's officially that time of year when we celebrate America's birthday by eating way too much, waving flags, arguing over who has the best BBQ... and convincing ourselves we can totally light fireworks without reading the instructions. 😏

Here's your survival guide for the weekend:

🥞 VFW Pancake Feed at Long Park starts 10:00 PM tonight (July 3) and goes until Noon on July 4. Because nothing says freedom quite like pancakes at 2:00 in the morning if that's your thing.

🎉 The Big Parade rolls through town at 9:00 AM tomorrow! Grab a chair, bring the kids, and don't pretend you're too cool to wave at everyone.

🤠 Buckeroo Rodeo has a show tonight and two shows tomorrow. If you've never watched someone willingly climb onto a very angry animal, you're missing out.

🎇 Fireworks from the Buckeroo Grounds are around 10:00 PM tonight and tomorrow night. They're a whole lot prettier when someone else is in charge of setting them off.

And now for the "Mayor Dad" part of the post...

🐶 Please keep an eye on your pets. Fireworks are awesome for most humans... not so much for dogs, cats, and anything else with ears. A little preparation can save a lot of panic.

🔥 If you're lighting your own fireworks, let's all agree on one thing: the goal is to create memories... not become the neighborhood's most exciting insurance claim. Be safe, keep water nearby, don't mix fireworks with questionable decisions, and let's avoid burning down homes or sending anyone to the ER.

Have an incredible, safe, and fun Independence Day weekend, Molalla! I'll see you around town... probably with pancakes in one hand and coffee in the other.

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸🎆

Ps. Please share this so 50 more people wont post on each Molalla page asking for the same info.

This is legitimate and verified.

COLEMAN RANCH DISASTER RELIEF
To Donate send to Columbia Bank - “Coleman Ranch Disaster Relief”

Last week, the Coleman Ranch—a multi-generational family ranch established in Molalla, Oregon, 42 years ago—suffered a devastating barn fire. In mere minutes, it took away decades of hard work and dedication. The “Big Barn” was full of hay—holding the family’s entire hay crop for the year—but it was so much more. It was the backbone of the ranch operations—a vital shelter for cattle during calving season. It also became a special place for young riders, where they could learn to ride, rope, and build confidence.

The Coleman Ranch barn was also donated to the Molalla and Northwest High School Rodeo Clubs, hosting indoor rodeos when weather kept them off the fairgrounds. It was also a home for some of the finest cutting horse events in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, during the 2020 forest fires, the Coleman family opened their doors with open arms, housing people’s animals and horses, providing safe refuge during that devastating time.

Each 4th of July and Canby Rodeo Week, the Coleman Ranch opened its doors to rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, and royalty from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—offering them a place to rest, with stalls, RV hookups, and warm meals after long ProRodeo circuits. Top stock contractors even brought their World Champion bucking horses and bulls to rest on the ranch’s pastures.

The family is incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support—calls, texts, emails, and visits from friends and neighbors. Equipment, operators, food, drinks, and hay have been generously donated. Still, losing 5,000 tons of hay—and a dry place to store it—is a devastating blow.

If you feel moved to help this family, who have given so much to the next generation, please donate to the “Coleman Ranch Disaster Relief” at any Columbia Bank branch. Today, after a week, the fire has finally subsided enough to begin cleanup and recycling of the barn.

Please keep the Coleman family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this immense loss.

Donations can be made only to the “Coleman Ranch Disaster Relief” at any Columbia Bank branch. Thank you, and God bless you and your family.

Columbia Bank
Attention: Coleman Ranch Disaster Relief
PO Box 359
Molalla, OR 97038
Please make checks payable to:
“Coleman Ranch Disaster Relief”
Please keep in mind you can go into any Columbia Bank in the Northwest to donate.
If you wish to wire money please contact Columbia Bank - Phone Number
503-829-2237

My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the Newland family during this incredibly difficult time.

Tim Newland, husband of former Molalla City Councilor Jody Newland, has passed away. Tim was a genuinely good man, and I will always cherish the conversations we shared about fi****ms, life, and everything in between. He had a way of making every conversation meaningful, whether we were solving the world's problems or simply enjoying the moment.

Please keep Jody, their family, and all who knew and loved Tim in your prayers. May they find comfort, strength, and peace in the days ahead as they navigate this tremendous loss.

Rest easy, Tim. You will be missed, but your friendship, wisdom, and memory will not be forgotten. ❤️🙏🏻