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Clackamas County to send letter raising local-control concerns about state "More Homes" rule draft
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a comment letter to the Land Conservation and Development Commission expressing concern that proposed "More Homes" rules would undermine local zoning and increase county administrative burdens; the motion passed 5-0.
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on July 14 to send a comment letter to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) raising concerns about proposed statewide rules developed in response to state legislation commonly described in staff materials as the "More Homes" rulemaking. The board asked staff to submit the county's technical and policy concerns ahead of an LCDC public hearing on July 29.
County staff said the draft rules would create a new, statewide land-use process allowing developers on certain lots inside urban growth boundaries to override local zoning and significantly reduce setbacks, parking and height standards. "We have a lot of concerns about these proposed rules," Jennifer Hughes, the county's planning division program director, told the board, saying the draft "breaks down into really kind of two separate issues": the erosion of local control and increased administrative burden.
Assistant director Cheryl Bell said county representatives participated in the advisory committee but that many jurisdictions' comments were not reflected in the final draft. "We just think it's important to provide comment and have our voices heard," she said.
Commissioners questioned whether county objections would influence the committee and whether a coordinated regional or statewide letter would strengthen the message. Staff said several local governments plan to submit their own letters and that AOC and LOC representatives have been engaged, but there was not a standing joint-letter from AOC at this time.
Commissioner Helm moved to approve the comment letter as presented; Commissioner Schrader seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
What happens next: Staff will file the county comment letter with the LCDC ahead of the July 29 hearing and continue coordination with regional partners.
(Topic provenance: discussion introduced SEG 021; board motion and vote recorded SEG 191'SEG 210.)
