The Vollstedt farm in North Albany plans to remain in business for a long time even though it has filed for potential development under Measure 37.

Phyllis Vollstedt, owner of Vollstedt Farms at 451 Quarry Road N.W., made that point Thursday. She said that based on Wednesday’s Democrat-Herald story on Measure 37 claims in North Albany, people who had called her were under the mistaken impression that the farm might close soon and give way to development.

She said she filed the Measure 37 paperwork because there was a deadline last December but actually intends to keep the farming operation going indefinitely, or until residential development surrounding it makes it no longer feasible.

The 113-acre farm raises cattle and grows Christmas trees, and during the holiday period it’s a popular destination for families.

Under Measure 37, the farm filed for a waiver that would allow it to be developed as 72 home sites.

Vollstedt pointed out that no such development could occur in any case unless the property was first included in Albany’s urban growth boundary and then annexed to the city.

Extending the urban growth boundary is a complicated and lengthy process, and no such request is pending or likely any time soon, Vollstedt said.

Democrat-Herald