Proposed rule changes would allow rezoning of rural farmland and forestland for housing, commercial, and light industrial uses
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has proposed rule changes that would open up hundreds of unincorporated communities across Oregon to suburban sprawl.
New rules for land use now being considered at the state capitol could have broad effects in Polk County’s small communities.
Small, “unincorporated” communities, such as Perrydale, Airlie, Ballston, Rickreall, Buena Vista and many others, would be affected.
The ruling is called “Housing in Unincorporated Communities” (HUC) and could affect residents of these small communities in negative ways.
Although the HUC ruling is labeled as a way to provide affordable housing, that title seems to be mistaken. The houses built under HUC are more likely to be luxury homes, vacation rentals, and those far too costly for typical working families in our county.
The HUC rule would also allow for new zoning around these small communities. It’s likely the land would also be zoned for strip malls, Amazon warehouses, data centers, and more.
Although HUC is being promoted as a path to much-needed affordable housing, that essential need will not be filled by HUC rules. Instead, county residents will find themselves paying higher taxes and watching the price of farmland escalate.
Robert Liberty, a long-time advocate in Oregon for affordable housing, will speak at a public forum Thursday, October. 8, at 7:00pm, at the Willow & Briar venue (formerly Rickreall Event Center). Liberty will give the details of the ruling being considered and its effects on Polk families.
According to Liberty, “The government has not shown that this housing will meet any need for housing Oregonians of average income, so it’s just about the greed of politically powerful development interests.”
Liberty says that our local cities have plenty of space within their given growth boundaries to provide affordable housing, where the needed infrastructure is already in place. Urban sprawl, seen often in other states, is limited in Oregon by land use laws, but HUC ignores these laws.
The rules are not yet final, so residents will have a chance to learn how they will be affected. The Oct. 8 forum seeks to answer their questions. Citizen input will be a vital part in limiting adoption of HUC.
Willow & Briar is located at 305 Nesmith Rd., Rickreall.
The forum is sponsored by Friends of Polk County.
For more information and proposed ruling details, go to www.protectruraloregon.com
