Land Use

Why this is an issue:

Oregon land use law is more complicated than most places.  This has the affect of impeding some types of economic development, including providing affordable housing opportunities as our population grows.

Oregon has a long history of land use law meant to protect agricultural land.  SB (Senate Bill) 10 required all cities to establish zoning standards for lands within their boundaries.  An example of those standards is Goal 8 (Recreational Needs) that is at the center of the Measure 14-67 debate.

SB 100 (1973) expanded on the principals of SB 10 and created the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC).  LCDC, among other things, created the requirement for cities to develop "Comprehensive Pans” such as the one that is at the center of the controversy involving the purpose of parks in Hood River.  Hood River Comprehensive Plan.

POV:

If you are interested in the challenges of land use law in Oregon as it applies to Hood River, it is useful to be aware of the complexities.  There are differing views on the intent of laws such as the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Act of 1987. There is no doubt that these constraints on decision making require planning far in advance of economic need.

Current Status:

If you live within the City of Hood River or the urban growth boundary, the Westside Plan is where the current focus is.  The city wants to adopt wholesale zoning changes that will also apply to the rest of the city.  This means things like allowing multi-family housing in areas zoned for single family homes. This is a trend in urban land use planning nationwide, and these are policies that the Oregon State Legislature has mandated for larger cities. These policies are not required for cities the size of Hood River.

What’s Next:

Depending upon the rate that Hood River’s need for housing continues to grow, and how affordable leaders want it to be, expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary is likely to be the next big issue.

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