Agenda Packet 9-24-18 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Argument in Favor Measure 49: Fact vs. Fiction Does Measure 49 Repeal Measure 37? No.Measure 49 fixes the major flaws and loopholes of Measure 37 that have both frustrated landowners with modest claims and threatened our farmland, forest, and water supplies with claims for large subdivisions, strip malls, billboards, and gravel pits. Measure 37 remains law—Measure 49 simply makes amendments to restore balance and deliver what Measure 37 promised. Will Measure 49 wipe out almost all current Measure 37 claims, and eliminate all protection from future regulations? Absolutely not.Measure 49 allows claimants to move forward with development of up to 3-10 homesites and guarantees the ability to file claims for future changes in residential use of property, and farm and forest practices. The claim that the government will come to take your home is patently false. Will people with valid Measure 37 claims have to start over? No.Within 120 days of passage of Measure 49, claimants will receive a simple form from the state asking them to choose between the ‘fast track’ up to three homesites or—if they can prove property value loss, backed up with an appraisal—4 to 10 homesites. Then, the claimant may proceed with development. Are Oregon businesses are specifically targeted by Measure 49? Oregon land use laws require that local governments provide land for commercial and industrial development. That requirement will continue.Measure 49 simply prohibits claims for industrial and commercial development not allowed by zoning. Did the Legislature draft Measure 49 without holding public hearings? Measure 49 was the result of dozens of hours of public hearings over several months, with testimony from hundreds of individual Oregonians. If Measure 37 is left unmodified, can more claims be filed in the future for large subdivisions, strip malls, billboards, and more? If left unchanged, Measure 37 claims can continue to be filed indefinitely for large development not allowed by current zoning. Measure 49 closes this loophole. (This information furnished by Laura S. Imeson, Yes on 49.) This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument. Argument in Favor Yes on Measure 49 – Protect Our Home: Oregon I live on a farm in Washington County, amidst some of the best farmland on earth--where perennial tall fescue is grown for grass seed, filberts for Christmas stockings, sweet corn for the farmers market, and alfalfa to feed beef cows. After Measure 37 passed, the first claims seemed reasonable: One neighbor wanted to divide her property into thirds. Another wanted to build one house on 10 acres. But then the “other” claims came. Within just 3 miles of my farm, there are 54 Measure 37 claims to build a potential 1761 homes – most in an area designated “ground water restricted.’ Imagine moving combines, trailer loads of nursery stock, and large agricultural equipment over our narrow winding roads, amidst the flood of more vehicles commuting to jobs and school. Who will pay for road improvements? How will we provide water to 1761 homes? This kind of random, intense development will have a devastating impact on highly productive farmland. And who “benefits?” Not the small property owner. Within Washington County, 88% of the Measure 37 home sites are requested by just 20% of claimants. Meanwhile, most farm families cannot file Measure 37 claims, though their land has been in the same family for 50 years. Yet their economic livelihood will be severely impacted, if not destroyed. Nearby elderly widows try to file modest Measure 37 claims, but are denied because they were never on the deed with their husbands. Other families can’t profit from their Measure 37 claims, because development rights aren’t transferable. Measure 49 re-balances Measure 37. It provides relief to those who want to build a home or two on their rural property. It helps the elderly claimants wanting to provide for their retirement or a place for their children. And, by limiting the size of development, we keep the impact to the community and reasonable and manageable. Vote YES on Measure 49 David Papworth (This information furnished by David Papworth.) This space purchased for $500 in accordance with ORS 251.255. The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Oregon, nor does the state warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument. Argument in Favor Do you want to really protect Property Rights? Then Vote Yes on Measure 49! I am a retired forester, a former contributor to Oregonians In Action and I strongly support private property rights. But when the interests behind Measure 37 sold it to Oregon, they talked about protecting the rights of small property owners to build a few houses on their land, if it was permitted by the law when they bought the property. Well, the timber and development industries that have filed claims to build massive subdivisions, commercial and industrial projects on protected farmland and forestland are doing great under Measure 37. But Measure 37 left many small, individual landowners in the cold. The flawed language of Measure 37 didn’t spell out the ability to transfer development rights from one person to another – even to a surviving spouse! And it left the actual process for securing property rights vague, confusing and different from county to county, and city to city. • Measure 49 guarantees “transferability” of rights to a surviving spouse and if you sell your property to someone else. • Measure 49 provides an “express lane” for individual owners,immediately allowing them up to three houses on their property outside urban areas. Measure 49 Arguments Official 2007 November Special Election Voters’ Pamphlet 22 | State Measures continued September 24, 2018, Meeting - Item 3