Hillsboro will pick up the pace on the adoption of the Senate Bill 2001 rules in the next two weeks with back-to-back sessions on housing. These Planning Commission meetings will specifically focus on how the people of Hillsboro will be able to adopt and implement the state laws which changed a couple of years back when the State passed a bill that allows duplexes, triplexes, quads, cottage clusters, and row homes on single-family lots. Basically, in most zones, there are no more strictly single-family lots.
The Housing Hillsboro project is going to bring a lot of resources together to help look at our options and determine the best way forward. Here is a statement from the City of Hillsboro web page:
“Housing Hillsboro has expanded to bring the City’s regulations and procedures into compliance with House Bill 2001, also known as the Housing Choices Bill, which the Oregon State Legislature passed in 2019. The new statewide law requires cities to allow middle housing such as duplexes, triplexes, and cottage clusters to be built in areas traditionally zoned for single-family homes. During the project, staff will also explore ways to encourage middle housing development and reduce regulatory barriers.”
See all the City resources here: https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/our-city/departments/community-development/projects/housing-hillsboro
Housing advocates love these new rules as backyards and underutilized properties all over the City will be available for property owners to file for infill development permits. Have you thought about a backyard duplex? Building a 4 plex on a lot? Doing an addition to include an ADU or 2nd home? This might be just the ticket for you.
Opportunities abound for rentals, new homes, trapped income to be generated, and more vibrant challenges. Concerns are out there related to parking, noise, changing neighborhood look and feel, and just overall unknown factors. Cities like Tigard, who adopted these sort of rules before they were official, have seen very little disruption.
Join the online Zoom Meeting from the comfort of your home or office tonight and again on February 5th, 2022 by following these links.
Virtual Community Meetings on Zoom
You are invited to attend either of these meetings where the project team will discuss drafted code updates, listen to community feedback, and answer questions. Spanish interpretation services will be provided.
Tuesday, January 25 at 6:30 pm
Join the January 25 Zoom Meeting.
Passcode: 697098
Saturday, February 5 at 10 am
Join the February 5 Zoom Meeting.
Passcode: 145303
Great to see some more housing options in Hillsboro (and Oregon as a whole)