AN UPDATE ON MEASURE 37

Oregon is noted for its landmark statewide land use laws which have prevented the kind of urban sprawl that is spreading across the rest of the west while preserving farmland and natural resources across the state. But now these visionary laws are under attack by a ballot measure 37, passed in Oregon in 2004. This measure requires the state to compensate land owners for any perceived losses they have incurred from local, regional or state regulations that limit development on their property. Local governments have the option of suspending these laws or regulations if they can't afford to pay land owners the revenues they claim they have lost. Thousands of Measure 37 claims have been filed, nmany which go much further than some of the measure's original supporters envisioned. And if many of these claimants are allowed to build large subdivisions or commercial developments on their property, the Oregon that so many of us cherish will vanish.

 

In this segment of Locus Focus, Sid Friedman with 1,000 Friends of Oregon gives us an update on what is happening with efforts to stop, suspend or enhance Measure 37 as it now stands.