Oregon cities add housing sites under affordability and planning rules

Cities outside Metro may add eligible sites to their growth boundaries. These rules apply to cities outside Metro and eligible sites next to a city's growth boundary. The site must meet the land eligibility rules and acreage limit for the city's population. A city must show a need for land and affordable housing, and follow the application and public review steps. Sites generally need a binding plan; cities outside Metro may use recorded agreements instead for sites of 15 buildable acres or less.

Cities must adopt plans for housing, services, and protections on larger sites. These requirements apply to sites larger than 15 buildable acres. Plans must set minimum home densities based on the city's location or population, and include needed services and safeguards for natural and other protected areas. At least 30 percent of homes must be affordable for at least 60 years, with income limits for renters or buyers. Affordable homes must begin construction before the city approves occupancy for the last 15 percent of market-rate homes. Cities that require more affordability must offset related development costs. Affordable homes must begin construction before the city approves occupancy for the last 15 percent of market-rate homes.

Woodburn may use a separate process to add a site, with state review and a master plan. This process applies only when Woodburn adds a site to its growth boundary. Woodburn may skip several usual application and public review steps, but must notify Marion County, the state land-use department, and service districts when it receives an application. The master plan must meet applicable planning rules and require at least 600 homes. The state must approve the required submissions. Woodburn must send the site application at least 30 days before adopting the boundary change, and send the master plan at least 30 days before an annexation hearing.

Monmouth may remove land from its growth boundary and add a nearby site under special rules. This special exchange process applies only to Monmouth. The removed area may not exceed 90 acres and must meet the stated flood, wetland, residential-use, and city-service limits. The added site may not exceed 75 buildable acres, must meet location and service limits, and requires owners' consent to the addition and annexation. Landowner consent is not required to remove land.