Hermiston council backs state housing planning grant to update land-use code

Hermiston — The Hermiston City Council voted July 28 to adopt a resolution supporting the city’s application for a Housing Planning Assistance grant administered by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). Planner Mister Spencer told councilors the grant would fund a DLCD-appointed consultant to help update Hermiston’s development code to comply with housing policy changes enacted over recent legislative sessions. The consultant would be paid through DLCD; city staff time would serve as an in-kind match. Spencer said the anticipated timeline is about a year and that the arrangement mirrors the DLCD consultant approach the city used for its 2021 duplex code amendment. Councilor Roberts asked whether the in-kind match required any new budget appropriation; Spencer clarified that the match is staff time already expended as part of regular duties and would not create a new budgetary expense. Councilors made the resolution of support the formal part of the grant application. Councilor Litton moved to adopt the resolution and Councilor Hayward seconded; the roll call vote was unanimous. If awarded, the DLCD consultant would draft code amendments, and the council would decide which committee recommendations or code changes, if any, to place on the ballot for voter approval. The city manager said staff would manage public outreach and the local process for any changes resulting from the consultant’s work.