State Chapters > State Politics/Government

Could Oregon Become the First State to Ban Single-Family Zoning?

(1/2) > >>

mountaineer:
Private property, huh? Not on our watch!
--- Quote ---Could Oregon Become the First State to Ban Single-Family Zoning?
Rep. Tina Kotek (D-Portland), speaker of the Oregon House, is drafting legislation that would end single-family zoning in cities of 10,000 or more: "The state’s housing crisis requires a combination of bolder strategies."
By Rachel Monahan
Published December 14, 2018

Legislation being drafted in Oregon could become the nation's most dramatic effort to address the housing shortages and economic and racial segregation caused by zoning restrictions.

WW has learned that Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) is drafting a proposal that would require cities larger than 10,000 people to allow up to four homes to be built on land currently zoned exclusively for single-family housing.

"The state's housing crisis requires a combination of bolder strategies," says Kotek in a statement. "Oregon needs to build more units, and we must do so in a way that increases housing opportunity for more people. Allowing more diverse housing types in single family neighborhoods will increase housing choice and affordability, and that's a fight that I'm willing to take on."

Kotek's proposal follows a similar move this month by Minneapolis, Minn., where city leaders have enacted a plan that will end single-family throughout that city—a decision hailed in the national press for its innovation. ...  More at Willamette Week
--- End quote ---

Kotek

Gefn:
So single people, either by choice, divorce, or widows or widowers can’t buy a house? So where will they live if they have no family? A studio apartment?

What about women (or men) who raise their kids in one parent households and become empty nesters? Where will the grandchildren visit?

This seems like a bad idea. Unfortunately I see other cities adopting it in the future.

EdJames:

--- Quote from: Freya on January 13, 2019, 02:02:56 pm ---So single people, either by choice, divorce, or widows or widowers can’t buy a house? So where will they live if they have no family? A studio apartment?

What about women (or men) who raise their kids in one parent households and become empty nesters? Where will the grandchildren visit?

This seems like a bad idea. Unfortunately I see other cities adopting it in the future.

--- End quote ---

No, Single Family Zoning has nothing to do with anyone's marital status.  A Single Family house means that it is designed and built to house one (a single) family, versus multi-family housing like a duplex, triplex, and so on.  (That single family could be one person, or a multi-person family.)

Municipalities designate residential zoning to create neighborhoods of like structures.  A zone designated as Single Family will prevent a developer from building an apartment or condo complex in the neighborhood of single family homes.  Some zones are created that permit duplexes or triplexes to be built among single family homes. 

The purpose is to create zoning that supports a degree of homogeneity of housing that also supports the economic value principal of conformity.

andy58-in-nh:
The Soviet Union did essentially the same thing, back in the day. Then, they claimed the power to decide who would live where. Soon it was common for three, four, or even five families to share an apartment, with living quarters separated by sheets and blankets. But it was all for the good of the "collective", as citizens of America's West Coast are increasingly being told is the highest possible value.

I can't wait to see how this all works out. I suppose it will unfold the way things usually do when citizens voluntarily surrender their freedom in exchange for security, allowing themselves to become dependents of the State. But there is the matter of that pesky American constitution, you know. And that will make for interesting viewing - from a safe distance, of course.

Gefn:
@EdJames thanks for explaining it to me.

I guess I over interpreted the word “single” but i never heard this term before.

I have to rethink my thoughts on this one. Very interesting,

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page