Comments on: Portland drops fees to spur development

By: Don

Don — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:41:39 +0000

I will build an ADU on my property in the next two years. It will be affordable only if I do most of the work myself (which I can do). However, the notion that I might have to kick in $7-14K in fees to the city, when the current deal expires, makes the project a non-starter. The city loses. Local sub contractors for electrical and plumbing lose. And the locally owned lumber yards like Mr. Plywood or Parr lose, too. Future Mr. Mayor, this is such a no brainer.

By: Zack at Hammer and Hand

Zack at Hammer and Hand — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:42:46 +0000

Things are really beginning to move now with Accessory Dwelling Unit development in Portland. We have several projects in the works already, and know that the freeze on SDCs is having a big effect. I'm sanguine on the chance that lenders will support ADUs. After all, local banks have stated their commitment to supporting home-grown drivers of prosperity and neighborhood vitality. ADUs fit that bill nicely, and in a high ROI kind of way. By the way, if you're interested in learning more about Accessory Dwelling Units in Portland, http://hammerandhand.com/accessory-dwelling is worth checking out - with links to ADU news releases, images, and a USA Today video on "backyard cottages". Thanks, 91��Ƶ, for your coverage of ADU progress.

By: A few things to bear in mind when becoming an Oregon landlord « Daily Journal of Commerce – Building and Construction News in Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:01:40 +0000

[…] month the Portland City Council approved a three year fee holiday for system development charges associated with homeowners building detached living units on their property. These system […]

By: Oregon cities waive system development fees « Daily Journal of Commerce – Building and Construction News in Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest

Fri, 14 May 2010 20:40:58 +0000

[…] business to the area. This has been reported extensively in the Daily Journal of Commerce (here, here, here and here) over the past few […]

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:34:53 +0000

“Over the last three years, Portland Parks and Recreation collected $175,000 from accessory dwelling units, said Riley Whitcomb, who manages the bureau’s system development charge program. If development picks up in the absence of fees, the bureau could miss out on an estimated $425,000 in revenue over the next three years.”

This makes no sense! Development only picks up if no fees are charged so how could they miss out? More likely is that fees would be close to zero if there was no reduction because there would be no development.