Oregon Coast Alliance and concerned local residents decided to appeal Bay City’s approval of the Mistybrook Estates development to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA). The city avoided, or refused even to weigh, the problems with sewer and water availability; though the Mistybrook property is within city limits, Bay City’s infrastructure has very limited capacity.The applicant’s required traffic impact study was also inaccurate and incomplete, which in a town the size of Bay City is of major concern. ORCA hopes there will be an opportunity to continue talking with city officials and the landowner to reshape the development(which is proposed for a large parcel of “vacant” farmland) to a size and density that fits Bay City better than the more than forty single family dwellings now approved.

The unincorporated community of Arch Cape in southern Clatsop County is considering incorporation. The proposed incorporation area includes adjacent residential areas such as Falcon Cove Beach and Arcadia Beach. If incorporated, the new city would have less than 500 residents. According to the League of Oregon Cities in a 2024 report, cities of that size were the most likely to have trouble meeting their financial needs. Traditional city revenue sources like property taxes have not kept good pace with inflation, and seasonal tourism, of the sort common to the coast, can make infrastructure provision more complicated than in other communities.

ECOnorthwest completed the draft Arch Cape Falcon Cove Beach Incorporation Study in September 2025. The report is non-binding, but seeks to lay out the financial and governance issues that might arise with incorporation. The question for the voters who will ultimately decide is whether local control, taking over the current control by the county of land use and other policies, is important enough to overcome potential financial rough spots the new city might face. Would Arch Cape, as a city, be able to better steer the community in the directions it prefers, and which are mirrored in the current Arch Cape comprehensive sub-plan? What services would the new city find most important to provide its residents, either through its own staff or through contracting with other entities?

The Steering Committee, after reviewing this study, will decide whether or not to recommend incorporation to the Board of the Arch Cape Falcon Cove Beach Community Club. An economic feasibility study is required under state law before the question of incorporation can be submitted to the voters. For further information, click here.