Like many states, Oregon faces a critical shortage of affordable housing. In this blue-leaning state full of green-space lovers and environmentalists, state lawmakers are treading carefully to safeguard green priorities while alleviating a growing housing affordability crisis. In a blueprint other states and localities could duplicate with the same end in mind, Democratic Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reintroduces her compromise to open the state for housing developments in a one-time push to end in 2033.
Land-Use Protections a Holdover from the 1970s
Oregon legislators are reconsidering the state’s stringent land-use legislation from the 1970s. Once praised for its role in curbing suburban sprawl and preserving natural landscapes and farmlands, this legislation is now under scrutiny as the state seeks solutions to its housing and homelessness crises.
Urban Growth Boundary Under Review
The urban growth boundary, a cornerstone of Oregon’s environmental efforts, has successfully protected vast areas from urban development. This law has been credited with maintaining the state’s agricultural lands and preventing the spread of urban sprawl seen in many other regions of the United States.
The Pressure to Adapt
However, the ongoing housing crisis has led to calls for amendments to this well-established policy, even among Democrats who have traditionally supported it. The crisis has highlighted the need for more housing, prompting discussions on balancing development needs with environmental preservation.
Legislative Responses
In response, Gov. Kotek has introduced a comprehensive housing package during the current legislative session, aiming to modify the 1973 law to facilitate the construction of new homes. This package seeks to provide a one-time exemption to allow cities to expand for housing development, focusing on affordability and sustainability.
Kotek’s Housing Initiative
Gov. Kotek, leveraging her experience and political influence, is advocating for the passage of this housing package. Despite facing opposition from within her own party, she has worked tirelessly to gather support, emphasizing the urgent need for legislative action to address the housing shortage.
The Urban-Rural Divide
The urban growth boundary has created a visible divide between dense urban areas and undeveloped natural landscapes. This policy has preserved green spaces but also raised questions about its impact on housing availability and affordability.
Proposed Legislative Changes
The proposed housing package includes provisions for cities to acquire new land for development, with a requirement that 30% of new units be affordable. This aims to address the complex and time-consuming process currently required for cities to expand their boundaries for development purposes.
Streamlining Development
The bill proposes to streamline the process for cities to expand their urban growth boundaries, bypassing the extensive evaluations and forecasts currently required. This is intended to make it easier and faster for cities to respond to immediate housing needs.
Restrictions and Safeguards
Despite easing some regulations, the bill maintains several restrictions to ensure that expansion is done responsibly. Cities must demonstrate a genuine need for both land and affordable housing and cannot encroach on high-value agricultural or forest lands.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for expansion under the new rules, cities must provide a detailed account of their growth boundary history and land development within their current boundaries. They must also show that a significant portion of their population is facing severe housing affordability issues.
Limited Expansion
The proposed changes would allow cities to add only a limited amount of land for residential development, with specific caps based on the size of the city. This approach aims to ensure that expansion is targeted and minimizes environmental impact.
Sunset Clause
The limited-time exemption allowing cities to expand their urban growth boundaries is set to expire in 2033, ensuring that this is a temporary measure aimed at addressing the current housing crisis.
Support and Opposition
The bill has garnered mixed reactions from lawmakers. While some Democrats are cautious, citing last year’s failure of a similar measure, others are more optimistic, recognizing the effort to balance development needs with environmental concerns. Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, support the bill but express concerns about the restrictiveness of the expansion rules.
Beyond the Boundary
The debate over Oregon’s urban growth boundary highlights the complex challenge of balancing housing needs with environmental and agricultural preservation. As lawmakers work towards a solution, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the state’s development and conservation efforts for years to come.
