Gorge commission committee opens review of ADUs in rural scenic-area neighborhoods and asks staff for follow-up

The Columbia River Gorge Commission’s Economic Vitality Committee on April 10 opened a formal, exploratory review of accessory dwelling units — small secondary homes on residential properties — in nonurban parts of the National Scenic Area and asked staff to gather county-level enforcement information and legal context for a November follow-up.

Chair Whitworth framed the meeting as a fact-finding kickoff: "the item that, I think we want to address today, is a kickoff conversation about ... what we are doing ... with ADUs and non urban areas," and said the committee was not deciding policy now but deciding whether to ask staff for a deeper review.

The discussion highlighted two contrasting priorities. Supporters argued ADUs can help meet workforce and seasonal-housing needs, provide supplemental farm income and channel tourist dollars into local pockets. "They're pretty definable," Commissioner Johnson said of ADUs, adding that simple permitting with limits — such as size caps and prohibitions on short-term rentals — could expand housing without large new programs. Commissioner Brennan Bizzle told the committee ADUs could offer "necessary housing that we need for people who work in our community," and said the change could support local economies and forest-management labor.

Opponents and cautious members flagged enforcement, safety and resource risks. "I don't think there will be any enforcement. We won't enforce," Commissioner Liberty said, arguing that counties lack capacity to enforce occupancy or short-term rental limits and that poorly enforced rules could chiefly benefit affluent property owners. Liberty and others also cited increased fire risk, road and infrastructure costs, and possible conflicts with agricultural operations.

Staff and county planning staff relayed mixed evidence on enforcement. Christina, a staff member at the commission, said county planning directors previously described enforcement as largely complaint-driven and limited. Planner Bryce Guskey said counties regularly report ADUs and short-term rentals being used without permits; he referenced a 2025 county compliance study and said some counties have limited success bringing properties into compliance while others invested in software to trace listings.

Public commenters urged broader stakeholder outreach and review of earlier management-plan work. Jessica Mehta suggested staff could revive the 2020 plan-update committees and include housing experts and farming representatives in any further analysis. Sherry Irish, a resident, emphasized that the commission’s statutory role encourages growth in existing urban areas and that economic development responsibility for cities remains with city and chamber agencies.

By consensus the committee asked staff to consolidate the questions raised, document county-to-county enforcement experience and legal guardrails (including state statutes cited during the discussion), and return with analysis at a subsequent meeting, with staff and the chair indicating November as a target for follow-up. Chair Whitworth also requested extending future committee meetings to 90 minutes to allow fuller discussion.

The committee did not take formal votes or adopt policy; staff will report back with the requested information before the committee considers any formal changes.