As a fifth-generation member of a farming family and a real estate broker specializing in rural properties, farms and ranches, I have seen firsthand the challenges landowners face in Lane County.

From complicated land-use regulations to restrictive zoning to frustrating permit delays, property owners are often left navigating a system that feels more like an obstacle than a resource. These decisions affect more than property values. They affect livelihoods, family legacies and the ability to use and maintain land responsibly.

The aftermath of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire is a particularly troubling example. Years later, property owners are still facing challenges as they work to rebuild their homes and move forward with their lives. Can you believe we are only 50% recovered after six years? Other counties that experienced fire damage in 2020 are much further along in their recovery. Families who have already lost so much deserve clear answers, reasonable timelines, and a county government willing to work alongside them.

We can protect our natural resources while also respecting private property rights. These priorities should not be mutually exclusive.

I believe Lane County needs leadership that listens to rural residents, understands the real-world impact of land-use decisions, and works toward practical solutions.

Heather Buch has had the opportunity to address these concerns, and has failed. The county has added further restrictions on families wanting to build on properties like those zoned as impacted forest lands (F-2 zoning), which were designated for housing.

In August, the Lane County Board of Commissioners had an opportunity to restore residential use to a rural property zoned F-2. Buch opposed it. Local governing boards have the ability to interpret and apply land-use codes in ways that provide clarity and guidance for others facing similar challenges. This wasn’t just about one property. It was an opportunity to help countless other landowners navigate the same bureaucratic hurdles.

I support Jake Pelroy for East Lane County Commissioner.

Callie Smith
Coburg