OREGON SMART GROWTH
2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Oregon Smart Growth (formerly Oregon LOCUS) finished the 2017 session as a strong, strategic voice, resulting in:
-
Protected new construction from rent regulation. HB 2004 initially applied to all new construction, as well as existing units. Oregon Smart Growth (OSG) successfully advocated for new construction to be removed from the bill (which ultimately failed in the Senate.)
-
Increased housing production supported for all levels of affordability. The only multi-family developer-focused advocacy group with a seat at the table, OSG helped secure final passage of SB 1051, supporting housing supply by:
-
Requiring many local jurisdictions (cities with population over 5,000, counties over 25,000) to review and make decisions qualifying affordable housing permit applications within UGB no later than 100 days of complete application, rather than the current 120 days
-
Requiring cities and counties to approve any housing application if clear and objective development standards for “needed housing” are used and met; the bill expanded the definition of “needed housing” to include affordable housing and housing on land zoned for residential use.
-
Prohibiting design review from forcing largely residential projects to be built below the density authorized in local zoning code, or to be built below height entitlements, if it has the effect of reducing units, unless it is necessary for health, safety, or habitability reasons or to comply with statewide planning goals.
-
Requiring at least one ADU for each detached single-family home in areas zoned for single-family, within UGB’s. Local jurisdictions may impose reasonable regulations including, but not limited to, siting and design on ADUs; exempts cities with populations below 15,000.
-
Permitting development of affordable housing on land owned by religious organizations residentially-zoned areas inside the UGB and in compliance with applicable land use regulations and zoning criteria.
-
Extended important tax credit tools to increase and retain housing at a variety of affordability levels. HB 2066 extended authorization for the affordable housing lenders credit until 2026 and increased the cap to $25 million.