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On December 3rd, Lake Oswego City Council will consider a $15,000 tax on single family home and duplex demolitions. If adopted, the regulations would go into effect in January 2020. The Council voted 5-2 last week to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would allocate funds collected from the tax for parks maintenance. This arbitrary and regressive tax punishes homeowners who have acquired equity in their older houses. The tax also harms homebuyers who will pay more for new housing. Most concerning is the city’s not so blatant attempt to create a poison pill that will reduce middle housing opportunities. As highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article, the tax could discourage missing middle housing opportunities outlined in House Bill 2001, which allow for duplexes, triplexes and quads in single family zones. Increased soft costs in the form of taxes and financing serve as a blockade to housing affordability. Instead of arbitrarily taxing new housing, Lake Oswego policy makers should equitably spread the cost of parks maintenance through a parks utility fee or local option levy. To support our efforts and oppose the demolition tax, contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org. Next Article Previous Article