On July 7^th, 2017 the Oregon Legislature passed SB 1051 with overwhelming bipartisan support.  This legislation requires cities and counties of certain sizes to:

• Expedite certain categories of affordable housing permits
• Strengthen requirements for clear and objective review standards for housing developments
• Streamline local government procedures to make it easier to provide more  housing and especially affordable housing
• Allow additional accessory dwelling units in single family neighborhoods
• Allow religious institutions to use their property to develop affordable housing
• Define “needed housing” as all housing

Within Section 6(5) of SB 1051, cities (with populations over 2,500) and counties (with populations over 15,000) are required to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for each single family dwelling in areas zoned for single-family dwellings...

For years 1000 Friends of Oregon and Save Helvetia have teamed up to protect the amazing farmland in Washington County’s Helvetia area, just north of Hillsboro. This diverse farming community is home to vineyards, tree farms, fruit orchards, and lavender fields, just to name a few. Helvetia has long been on the edge of urban development given its proximity to more urbanized cities in the Portland-Metro area. However, its high quality farming lands and rich agricultural and cultural history have inspired the community to fight to preserve the landscape. Save Helvetia is an active organizing group whose mission is to advance policies, leaders, and actions that protect...

Aerial photo of the Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival in Brownsville from Billy Newman Photo.

In its tenth year, the Bi-Mart Willamette Country Music Festival is looking to relocate to a new, bigger venue. After years in Brownsville, the four-day festival, which sees around 25,000 attendees per day, has outgrown its location and worn out the local residents’ patience. So says Friends of Marion County President, Roger Kaye. The Bi-Mart Festival planners...