Budget committee debates housing growth, UGB capacity and middle-housing rules as population projections shift

Committee members pressed staff on how population projections, housing permitting and infrastructure planning interact with the city’s budget and development priorities.

One member asked how Springfield’s population compares with nearby jurisdictions and whether the city’s anticipated growth has influenced infrastructure decisions. Staff said Portland State projections available through 2024 were used in the packet and noted Eugene is roughly ‘‘two and a half times’’ Springfield’s size; staff recommended community development to answer more detailed growth‑infrastructure questions.

Committee members raised that residential development has been substantial in recent years — ‘‘we’re averaging about 400 building permits a year,’’ a staff member said — and that multifamily construction has increased. Staff explained the city updated its development code to allow smaller lots and passed a high-density housing tax exemption to incentivize residential construction.

On the question of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and whether they count toward state housing targets, staff said ADUs do not currently count toward required state targets. They noted the state recently added a ‘‘cottage cluster’’ unit type under middle-housing rules and that planners will consider whether ADUs remain necessary in future code updates.

Committee members also asked whether the city will consider expanding its urban growth boundary (UGB) to increase capacity. Staff said the first step is a buildable lands analysis to assess available land inside the existing UGB and determine whether expansion is needed; expansion would require state approval and is a long, multi-step land-use process.

No formal policy was adopted during the meeting; staff said ongoing planning work and the recently updated wastewater master plan inform infrastructure priorities for future growth.