Residents press Warrenton commission over Oxford House rentals as inspections continue

Several neighbors told the commission they are troubled by a recently occupied Oxford House duplex on Russell Drive, raising parking, safety and permit‑compliance concerns. Nancy Chase urged the commission to consider no‑parking restrictions on Russell Drive and asked staff to verify whether interior alterations required permits; other residents described noise, on‑site construction and worries about children’s safety.

"I mostly talked about parking issues," Chase said during public comment, asking that the city consider limits along Russell Drive to protect the historic area. City staff summarized three internal memos: the code‑compliance officer found a legal parked vehicle but no immediate blocking violations; the building official confirmed at least one unpermitted interior wall and electrical work on the one duplex side and said follow‑up inspections and permit review are in progress.

Planning and legal staff told the commission state law constrains how ‘‘familial relationship’’ definitions can be enforced. The city attorney referenced ORS 90.112 and related recent state changes and cautioned the commission about federal fair‑housing and reasonable‑accommodation law in the context of sober‑living homes. Interim planner Scott Fragonesi said the property's current zoning permits residential occupancy but that any change of use or altered occupancy level could trigger building‑code requirements such as sprinklers.

Commissioners pressed staff on remedies and the building official's authority to condemn an unsafe structure; staff said no condemnation had been issued and that building staff will continue inspections to determine whether the unpermitted work meets code or must be removed. The commission asked staff to return with an update once the building official completes the review and any enforcement steps are identified.