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Sherwood staff recommend code audit and possible charter amendment after state housing bills; Sherwood West appeal upheld
Summary
City staff briefed the council on Sherwood West appeals and recent housing bills (SB1537, a 2025 bill limiting design standards for subdivisions over 20 units, HB213A, HB225A). Staff recommended a full code audit, warned of planning capacity impacts and proposed charter language to protect public‑process rights.
City planning staff and legal counsel told the Sherwood City Council on Oct. 7 that recent state housing legislation will require a significant local response, including a full audit of the city’s land‑use code and consideration of a charter amendment to protect local procedural rights.
Eric Rutledge, Sherwood’s community development director, updated the council on Sherwood West: Metro’s decision to expand the urban growth boundary was appealed to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), and LCDC upheld Metro’s decision. Rutledge said staff expect further appeals to the Court of Appeals and that the decision currently stands.
Rutledge reviewed the suite of bills affecting local land use. He said Senate Bill 1537 (2024) established the Housing Accountability and Production Office (HAPO) and created mandatory adjustments — commonly described as variances — for qualifying housing developments (for example, proposals over 17 units per acre). Sherwood…
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