Free Newsletter
OP-ED: Upcoming US Supreme Court ruling portends murky waters ahead
This decision is likely to shake up the well-established structure of state and federal development review permitting regarding water quality protection.
OP-ED: High bar re-established for bias challenges
It is often easy to point the finger at land use decision-makers as biased, especially when it comes to highly charged development projects that require multiple election cycles to obtain […]
OP-ED: A look back at all those years in law
After 45 years of law practice, I am retiring at the end of 2014. While I will continue to write this column for a little longer, here are some thoughts […]
OP-ED: A clash of titans over hydrofracking
A recent New York case, Wallach v. Town of Dryden, illustrates a deep schism in conflicting public attitudes over energy and local governments’ regulation of land use. The case involved […]
OP-ED: A reason to appreciate Oregon’s land use system
Land use decision making in Oregon is highly structured; many parties complain that the formal structure delays the process and increases its cost. State law has long mandated that the […]
OP-ED: In Oregon, the old house gains new life
Recently, in the Lake Oswego Preservation Society v. City of Lake Oswego case, the Land Use Board of Appeals gave a huge boost to the historic preservation community and the […]
OP-ED: Religious grounds for avoiding land use laws
The United States Supreme Court, at the end of its term in June, handed down in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. a 5-4 decision that dealt a setback to implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
OP-ED: Affirmatively furthering fair housing
Last September, the comment period closed for a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed rule. That rule portends a very different course in the expectations of state […]
OP-ED: Finding meaning in LUBA鈥檚 review of cities鈥� interpretations
Land use regulation is primarily accomplished through the application of local government-adopted plans and regulations. Oftentimes, application of these local standards requires interpretation 鈥� for example, identifying the location […]
OP-ED: 鈥楪rand Bargain鈥� is a seductive solution
The train of events from the release of the Oregon Court of Appeals decision in the Metro urban and rural reserves case to the resolution of that case in the […]
OP-ED: Back to the future: the Metro reserves decision
Reserve designations for the Portland-metro region may soon be decided 鈥� for the moment at least.
OP-ED: Bring transportation options together
Oregon has a reputation for effective planning. However, when it comes to transportation planning, efforts often appear to be moving in different directions and at speeds slower than melting […]
News
- $960,000 office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 10, 2026
- Two projects in historic districts in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 10, 2026
- Multnomah County commits up to $101.6M for Moda Center
- Portland code changes to take effect in November
- Los Colibris project approved for Portland’s OMSI District
- Pacific Northwest projects totaling $9.9 million in top bidders | Aug. 7, 2026
- Oregon opens infrastructure grant program
- Ex-TV host claps back at Detroit officials in blight case
- 31-unit multifamily project in Portland land use review intakes | Aug. 3, 2026
- $2.4 million office renovation in Portland building permits | Aug. 3, 2026
- Transportation commission weighs ODOT budget cuts
- Lam Research planning $1.7 billion investment in Tualatin
Commentary
- Beware of when the debt collector comes calling | Opinion
- Assembly of a future workforce begins with an invitation | Opinion
- Beware of overlooking legal requirements for remote workers | Opinion
- Become a critical thinker and transform a workplace | Opinion
- Managing construction risks with international suppliers | Opinion
- A rally with many engines: the lesson of 2026’s first half | Opinion
- Oregon housing challenges persist despite sound and fury | Opinion
- When does an employee’s bullying become harassment? | Opinion
- Ditch disorganization 鈥� the cost of deferred decisions | Opinion
- Consider 10 common risks for healthcare construction projects | Opinion
- Clarifying the reach of a law regarding prevailing wage | Opinion
- Adjust to legal changes now to ensure compliance later | Opinion
