PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland city leaders are reviewing a report on what implementing a so-called vacancy fee could look in Portland, as property owners cite the effort as a waste of time and money and one more proposal sending the wrong message about the city.
City councilors approved a study last June to research what implementing a long-term vacancy fee could look like. The request – proposed by Councilor Sameer Kanal – requested looking at charging a fee on commercial and residential property owners if their units sat vacant longer than six months.
Councilors unanimously approved the study, but a handful said their vote was in favor of information about the fee – not final support for a fee of any sort…