HomeMy WebLinkAboutInclusionary Zones ltr 12-18-2015
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December 18, 2015
Representative Peter Buckley Senator Alan Bates
71 Dewey Street 900 Court Street, NE S-205
Ashland, OR 97520 Salem, OR 97520
Representative Tina Kotek I
900 Court Street, NE, Rm. 269
Salem, OR 97301
RE: Inclusionary Zoning
The City Council of Ashland Oregon supports lifting the statewide pre-emption on
inelusionary zoning. While the City of Ashland does not have any intentions at this time to
enact policies that may be considered inclusionary zoning, the City does have a strong
interest in ensuring local control over and access to any tools that have the potential to aid
in the future development of needed housing types that benefit all segments of the City's
population.
The City of Ashland supports Statewide Planning Goal 10 [OAR660-015-0000(10)] which
aims to ensure that the housing needs of the citizens of the state are met by requiring that
cities maintain a buildable land supply sufficient to encourage "the availability of
adequate numbers of needed housing units at price ranges and rent levels which are
commensurate with the financial capabilities of Oregon households and allow for°
flexibility of housing location, type and density. "
Chapter 197 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, section 309, specifically prohibits cities and
counties from "enacting mandatory regulations which assign a certain percentage of
housing units in new residential developments to be sold or rented to lower or moderate
income households at an affordable rate." This statute is commonly referred to as the
"state pre-emption on inclusionary zoning." Although Inclusionary zoning is a tool
utilized in many communities and states throughout the country, unfortunately it cannot
even be evaluated in Oregon cities or counties without legislative action.
Preemption by the State Legislature of matters involving the provision of needed housing
must be carefully evaluated and specifically tailored to address issues of statewide concern.
Given the significant variation within housing markets throughout the State, and the
obligation of each community to comply with Statewide Planning Goal 10, and to
affirmatively address fair housing, it is important that the State Legislature empower
jurisdictions to consider a broad range of regulatory options to provide for local housing
needs.
ADMINISTRATION Tel: 541A88-6002
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www,ashland.orms
CITY OF
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The City encourages the Oregon State Legislature to support removal of the current state
prohibition on inclusionary zoning as such land use tools are best evaluated at the local
level, in consideration of local housing markets, by individual jurisdictions within the
State.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Sincerely,
Mayor John Stromberg
Cc: City Council
Dave Kanner, city administrator
Bill Molnar, community development director
ADMINISTRATION Tel: 541-488-6002
20 East Main Street Fax: 541-488-5311
Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900
www.ashland..or.us
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