Legislation designed to encourage construction of affordable housing in Oregon could mean many nearby property owners will not be notified of plans for residential development in their neighborhood and limit who can appeal approved plans.
The city of Newberg announced this week that in order to adhere to the tenets of Senate Bill 974 and House Bill 4037 — adopted by the Legislature in 2025 and earlier this year, respectively — the city will significantly reduce the distance for notifying neighbors of land use applications and decisions.
“These changes are part of a statewide push to speed up housing production and address Oregon’s housing shortage, not a decision made here in Newberg,” the city said on its Facebook page…