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Committee hears farmers and conservationists back cap on ‘‘replacement dwellings’’ to limit trophy homes on working lands
Summary
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire heard testimony March 6 on Senate Bill 78, a proposal to limit replacement dwellings on farm- and forest-zoned land to no more than 2,500 square feet or 10% larger than the floor area replaced.
Salem, March 6 — During a grouped hearing the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire heard extensive testimony supporting Senate Bill 78, which would impose size limits on replacement dwellings in lands zoned for farm or forest use.
The measure: Staff described SB 78 as adding size limitations to replacement dwellings on lands zoned for farm or forest use, establishing a maximum size of no more than 2,500 square feet or not more than 10% of the floor area being replaced. Proponents said the cap would prevent modest farm homes from being torn down and replaced with large luxury houses that raise land values and put farmland out of reach for working farmers.
Why it matters: Multiple family farmers said replacement-dwelling approvals have been used to permit "mansions, villas and trophy…
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