Over the last few years, the Oregon Legislature has passed a number of bills aimed at reducing red tape in the state, so housing can be built faster.

But the new laws tend to reduce a city’s ability to manage growth, and they have rankled some city officials. For example, it used to be that people living within 1,000 feet had to be notified when a new development was coming. But the state changed the law so only people within 100 feet have to be notified.

Bills like HB 2001, SB 1537 and SB 974 are aimed at making it easier for developers to build the homes that Oregon so desperately needs.

But the mayor of Sherwood, Tim Rosener, says rules in his city aren’t the problem, and he says the state is cutting local residents out of the democratic process.

“We’re trying to restore the right of our citizens to know if there’s a big project going on — or a developer wants to come in and put in a 500-unit housing development — that they are at least aware of what’s going on and have a chance to respond,” Rosener said.

“Our residents deserve more than closed-door decisions made in Salem without their input,” Mayor Rosener said in a blog post. “They deserve a seat at the table.”

Rosener helped build momentum for an emergency election in Sherwood, which will be held on Jan. 13. Two measures are on the ballot.

Measure 34-347 aims to ensure the city has more control over local land use decisions. It requires at least one public hearing when a big new residential development is proposed.

Measure 34-348 would strengthen the city’s overall control when land is being brought into the city limits.

Gov. Tina Kotek is a key supporter of Oregon’s effort to build more affordable housing. HB 2001 was written to boost the housing supply and increase affordability by allowing diverse housing types, like duplexes and fourplexes.

Rosener agrees with the governor’s goals to promote middle housing, but differs on how to achieve them. In Sherwood, he says, developers usually choose single-family detached homes because it makes more money.

“We are really working hard at solving for the missing middle in the housing crisis,” Rosener said. “We recently brought about 1,500 acres into our urban growth boundary … so we are trying to solve these problems.”

Kotek did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment on the emergency election. But Sherwood’s vote will be closely watched by towns across the state.

“These amendments do two essential things,” Rosener wrote. “They make public participation a permanent part of Sherwood’s land-use process. No major development could move forward without at least one neighborhood meeting and one public hearing.

“Second, the amendments reaffirm Sherwood’s exclusive authority over annexations. Setting city boundaries is not a bureaucratic act; it is a core expression of local self-government.”

Kotek has consistently argued that the state must take a leading role in pushing local governments to approve more housing and address supply shortages.

The ballots for Sherwood’s emergency election were sent out on Dec. 24.

“There is a process for cities to declare an emergency election,” Rosener said. “So that’s what we did in this case, because we wanted to have it done before the short session coming up in Salem.”

The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to start in early February.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/03/sherwood-vote-challenge-oregon-housing-laws/