Factors beyond political chance played into Oregon's recent decision to legalize missing middle housing. One key point: the state was already halfway there.
In an extended discussion of Oregon's recent history-making decision to effectively end single-family zoning, Joe Cortright highlights some of the policy trends that lie behind the bill. "It's critical to note that HB 2001 is built on a decades-long foundation of key state mandates and limitations on local discretion in the housing market," he writes.
Many of those policies are specific to Oregon, like the urban growth boundaries that surround its cities, indicating the lawful limits of development at an urban scale. "The less well known feature of the Oregon system is that the state also prescribes the kind of developments that local governments must allow within urban growth boundaries," Cortright continues.
Oregon's history of comprehensive land use planning at the state level goes back to 1973. But statewide prescriptions have really made a difference over the past ten years. "Over the past decade, three-quarters of all new housing units in metropolitan Portland were built on in-fill sites in already developed areas, or by redevelopment of existing built-up properties."
Cortright argues that Oregon's case makes a powerful argument for state governments to "force every jurisdiction to 'play fair' in the zoning game." But Oregon may also demonstrate the usefulness of policy precedent when it comes to statewide up-zonings. And that's a form of precedent that most states conspicuously lack.
FULL STORY: In Oregon: The middle isn’t missing any more
History Made: Oregon Legislature Ends Single-Family Zoning
A bill that seemed like it could be a casualty of a bitter partisan feud managed to squeak under the wire. With Governor Kate Brown's signature, single-family zoning will be prohibited throughout the state of Oregon.
Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature
Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.
Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’
The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie