CITY AWARDED GRANT TO ADVANCE HOUSING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE UPDATES The City has been awarded a Housing Planning Assistance grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) for the 2025–2027 biennium. The grant will support an extensive update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Code to align with current state housing laws and reduce barriers to housing production. This initiative aims to address critical housing issues by streamlining permitting processes, eliminating unnecessary regulatory obstacles, and encouraging the development of affordable, diverse, and equitable housing options for residents. At its core, the project emphasizes creating a more inclusive housing environment while ensuring compliance with applicable state statutes and administrative rules. Key Objectives of the Project Through this planning effort, the City will focus on achieving the following objectives: •Compliance with State Housing Laws: Update local standards to permit housing development consistent with Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS Chapters 92, 197, 197A, and 227) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR Chapter 660), including implementation of recent legislation such as Senate Bill 1537. •Streamlined Permitting Processes: Establish a clear and objective approval path for residential development, addressing both land use and building permit processes to reduce uncertainty and delays for developers. •Barrier Reduction: Identify and remove local standards, conditions, and procedures that unintentionally discourage housing development due to unreasonable costs or delays. •Infill and Mixed-Use Development: Develop clear and objective standards for infill residential street design, in line with the City’s Transportation System Plan and engineering standards. The project will also create a path for small-scale mixed-use (live/work) developments within residential zoning districts, promoting integrated and flexible living arrangements. •Support for Housing on Commercial Lots: Define criteria to allow single and two-unit dwellings on small, undeveloped commercial parcels, expanding opportunities for housing in underutilized areas. •Code Simplification: Revise the development code to be more user-friendly, understandable, and easier to implement, providing greater certainty for developers and stakeholders involved in residential projects. This grant-supported effort represents a significant step forward in the City’s commitment to increasing housing supply, promoting affordability, and ensuring equitable access to housing for all community members. Next Steps Work on the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code updates will take place over the course of the 2025–2027 biennium. The City will engage with community members, stakeholders, and housing experts to ensure the updated policies reflect local needs while aligning with statewide goals. As this process moves forward, the City will provide regular updates and opportunities for public involvement, ensuring transparency and collaboration throughout the planning process.