ARTICLE
On Tuesday, February 15, HBA submitted a letter to the Washington County Planning Commission praising their effort and that of staff on the implementation of state middle housing laws, while also highlighting some concerns contained in proposed ordinances 885 and 886. Although staff and the committee worked to minimize any additional requirements or design standards that would serve as barriers to affordable housing development and additional supply, a requirement for sidewalk development and right of way dedication contradict the intent of HB 2001 and will only add cost to housing. In the letter, HBA encourages the commission to reconsider these requirements and to also consider going beyond the minimum requirements of HB 2001 in regard to allowed housing types. HBA has asked the commission to consider allowing detached “plexes” on every lot where plexes will be allowed under the current proposal. By offering both attached and detached housing types of middle housing, builders can address market demands, tailoring each project to the product type and layout most desirable and economically feasible for each lot thus creating more units and faster achievement of the desired goal. HBA will continue working with staff and Planning Commission members on this issue and encourage members to contact Ryan Makinster, ryanm@hbapdx.org, with any questions or to get involved with the ordinance adoption process.