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Medford may join suit against state By Damian Mann Updated: Aug 30, 2022 05:59 PM A A Medford City Council will decide Thursday whether to join a suit against state climate regulations Efforts are underway to create more housing in downtown Medford. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] Medford might join other Oregon communities in a lawsuit challenging state climate regulations that could stymie development on the outskirts of cities. Medford City Council on Thursday will consider a resolution that could set the stage for Medford to join the legal challenge, which hasn’t been filed yet. The potential suit is an outgrowth of Gov. Kate Brown’s 2020 executive order known as “Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities,” which aims to reduce greenhouse gases in the state. In particular, cities are considering a legal challenge to rules from the Land Conservation Development Commission, based on the executive order, that would force cities to create more concentrated housing developments, more bike routes and limit automobile parking in new developments. “It essentially encourages more housing in bedroom communities and could result in more people driving longer distances to go to work,” said Eric Mitton, Medford city attorney. He said the rules from the state could result in a number of unintended consequences that might result in creating more greenhouse gases instead of less. Mitton said Medford supports efforts to deal with climate change, though not the rules being established by the state. “This does not feel like it would address the admirable goals of climate change and climate equity,” he said. The rules would actually increase vehicle miles for those who work in Medford but commute from surrounding bedroom communities, and would run counter to the climate bill’s target of reducing greenhouse gases, Mitton said. He said about 10 cities have indicated they may join the suit, but those that have publicly announced so far include Springfield, Keizer, Happy Valley, Tualatin and Troutdale. Mitton said the city will continue to support housing in the downtown. But, he said, the effects of the rules would likely spur development in bedroom communities in more rural areas of the county. While many of the objections about the rules are technical in nature, Mitton said they would also increase the administrative burden on cities, potentially deterring developers. He said the city has been making a significant amount of effort to create denser housing projects. Currently the city is looking at a number of apartment complexes in or near the downtown. “Medford is doing a lot to make our infill development easier,” Mitton said. Construction of a 62-unit apartment building to offer workforce housing in downtown Medford began this year at the southeast corner of South Holly and West Eighth streets. The Medford Urban Renewal Agency has been working to develop a more than 100-unit apartment complex just north of Les Schwab on Central Avenue. Another 45-unit apartment complex is being eyed on Riverside Avenue next to La Fiesta Restaurant. The state rules are facing another legal challenge from other parties, including the Chamber of Medford & Jackson County, Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Oregon Homebuilders Association, the Oregon Bankers Association, the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Oregon Wine Council. The “People for an Affordable Coalition” claims the rules would worsen the housing crisis in the state and cause slowdowns in housing and transportation projects. Reach freelance writer Damian Mann at [email protected].