HR Council Talks to Increase Housing Density, March 15
by Susan Crowley
On Monday, March 15 at 7 p.m. the Hood River City Council will hold a Zoom public hearing on a proposal to increase the number of dwellings allowed on a single city lot to as many as four dwellings or 12 cottages. The current draft of the proposal would apply city-wide. It would reduce the size of lots in all zones. The ordinance, called the “Middle Housing” ordinance, could be used at the option of any developer.
There are many reasons why this ordinance would be a welcome thing for people who have been unable to find housing in Hood River, and for employers who would like their employees to live in town. It’s hoped that the cost of these market-price dwellings would start in the range of $300,000 to $400,000, which may be within the budget of many buyers. The size of units would be capped to try to minimize the visual impact of four to 12 dwellings on a single lot. Parking would be placed behind dwellings away from the street front and sidewalks. Cottage clusters would be encouraged. The city has specifically invited developers to help draft the ordinance in an effort to best accommodate their needs.
There are also inevitable downsides. The increased density of as many as four to 12 dwellings per lot will inevitably affect quality of life for all residents. Required on-site parking would be cut in half to just one required space per dwelling, pushing overflow parking onto residential streets and adding to congestion. Coverage of each lot with impermeable surfaces could increase to up to 70% (pictured above), adding additional pollution and flooding from stormwater runoff and reducing garden areas and street-front greenspace. There is nothing to prevent wealthier second-home buyers from buying the dwellings and driving up market prices. There is no provision for additional parks or open space to serve more residents. There would be no public hearings before approval.
The Middle Housing ordinance may encourage an investor to buy an existing home, scrape the lot bare, and build four to 12 dwellings in its place. Some may feel that’s a small price to pay for more housing. Some may feel the risk of losing historic neighborhoods is too high a price. Either way, this is the time to make your voice heard.
If you would like to comment on any aspect of the proposal, please consider participating in the March 15, 7:00 p.m. public hearing on Zoom.
You can do this by (1) submitting written comments by email and/or (2) offering brief audio testimony (3 minutes) on Zoom or by phone. Send your email testimony to City Recorder Jennifer Gray at j.gray@cityofhoodriver.gov by March 15, and ask to have it put into the Middle Housing record. Ask her for direction on how to connect to give oral testimony and to be put on the list.
Please add your voice on or before March 15. The town will feel the results for generations.
A live stream of the meeting will be available here.
