The residents of Sherwood challenged Oregon’s plans for increasing housing production this week by voting for more local control over land use decisions.

Final results won’t be certified until February, but after the first few rounds of results were tallied, Measure 34-348 was winning by about 80%.

The measure would strengthen city control when land is being brought into the city limits.

Measure 34-347 was winning by over 90%. It requires public input when big residential developments are proposed.

“This is telling the state Legislature and the governor’s office that this is not just a small group of people,” said Sherwood Mayor Tim Rosener, who helped build momentum for the emergency election.

The measures amend the city’s charter and require at least one public hearing be held anytime a major new residential development is proposed.

“This is the overwhelming consensus in the city that transparent land use processes are important,” Rosener said.

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 city officials like Rosener.

“We think we have a pretty strong argument about why, in this particular case, we should have home rule on these subjects,” Rosener said. “It’s a difference of legal opinion. It may result in litigation, it may result in the state backing up. I don’t know yet, but we’re prepared for either path.”

Gov. Tina Kotek has been 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.

Other bills like SB 1537 and SB 974 are also aimed at making it easier for developers to build the homes that Oregon so desperately needs.

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

“This is not about NIMBYism. It’s not about anti-growth,” said Rosener. “It’s a disagreement about how we solve the housing crisis.

“We need middle housing, entry-level housing, and some single-family detached. You need all of that type of housing.”

Gov. Kotek’s office did not respond to emails requesting comment. But Sherwood’s vote is being closely watched by city planners across the state.

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 vote draws division lines that are likely to emerge during the short Legislative session that starts in February in Salem.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/18/sherwood-votes-overwhelmingly-to-challenge-new-state-housing-laws/