The City of Hood River has launched a series of short questionnaires to receive public input to help guide their project, the Development Code Audit and Update.
The Development Code, comprised of the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances (Titles 16 and 17 of the Municipal Code) implements the City’s Comprehensive Plan by regulating how land is used and developed in the City. It specifies how different types of housing can be developed for community members and helps make commercial areas more diverse and accessible. It provides directions to developers to help connect neighborhoods with places to shop, work and recreate.
In response to new state requirements aimed at increasing housing availability and affordability, and gaps in the existing Code, the City determined that a comprehensive audit and update of its Development Code are necessary. The City’s Planning Department received a grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to assist in achieving project goals related to housing.
Working with the consulting firm MIG, the City completed the first phase of the project, the Code Audit, in October 2024. Now in phase two, the Code Update, the team is identifying options for changes to code requirements. Feedback from these questionnaires will be presented to the Hood River City Council to help guide decisions on specific requirements of the Code.
The City and MIG designed the “Topic of the Week” questionnaires to be quick and help identify community priorities. More information on the project, and access to the Topic of the Week Questionnaires can be found at https://cityofhoodriver.gov/planning/development-code-audit-and-update/