Council reviews zoning changes recommended by Cascade Partners to expand workforce housing

The chair of the Yachats City Council summarized a July 16 work session in which the council and planning commission reviewed consultant recommendations to make it easier to develop housing for local workers. "About 2 years ago, we started working with Cascade Partners," the chair said, describing the consultant team nd their work to identify zoning and land-use code changes needed to increase housing supply.

The presentation focused on specific zoning and code changes intended to allow more housing types and sites suitable for workforce households. The chair warned that discussions about changing land-use codes tend to make people "really, really nervous" and said the council intends to "move carefully" as it considers adoption steps.

The chair also noted a local housing-stock factor the council weighed: "I think during the meeting, Craig mentioned that 40% of our houses are 2nd houses," and added that a high share of second homes reduces the housing available to year-round workers. Council members and consultants framed the recommendations as a first step toward options and further public engagement; no ordinance or final vote on code changes was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps described by the chair include continued work with the consultants, more community outreach, and review of specific draft code language before bringing any ordinance to a formal vote.