State of Oregon figures out how to apply landmark Housing Law

[Celia Moore]

As Oregon prepares to implement a new law intended to spur the development of duplexes and small apartment buildings in cities like Salem, a disagreement has arisen over how much control local governments should have over zoning considerations...

In 2019, Oregon became the first state to effectively do-away with single-family zoning after lawmakers passed House Bill 2001. The law is intended to address the state’s housing crunch by making it easier to build less-expensive “missing middle” housing — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters and townhouses — in areas zoned for single-family housing.

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development is currently developing rules to be completed later this year that will guide cities in implementing the new law.

Last week, the Oregon League of Cities sent the department a letter on behalf of nine cities, including Salem, expressing concern that cities would be left with “very little flexibility” and prevent them from pursuing their own housing strategies or responding to “community goals.”

The league’s letter asks that cities be allowed their own development standards and for minimum expectations from the state on just how much middle housing they should produce.

Michael Andersen, a senior researcher at Seattle-based sustainability think tank Sightline Institute, said that what the league is asking for would considerably water down the law... 

Source: SalemReporter.com, 'Concerns over local control arise as state figures out how to apply landmark housing law'

Question: Should local Oregon governments get their voice on the zoning topic? 

[Larry Fried]

Yes, communities need the flexibility to balance neighborhood concerns with affordable housing demands. Here in Eugene for example we have a ridiculous shortage of housing, but at the same time very strong neighborhoods and groups.  Setting out goals for numbers of housing units and letting the cities figure out how to best meet those goals may be the best way to address this issue.  Although it won't be easy.