Oregon's Land Development: A Long and Winding Road

The Long Road to Completion

Oregon's leaders have been discussing ways to make the state more appealing to businesses. However, when it comes to land development, the reality is far from straightforward.

A Recent Example:

• Project Duration: 25 years
• Initial Plan: Build a golf course with hundreds of homes
• Outcome: Golf course built, but home development became impractical

Challenges Faced

The Golf Course

• Visitor Boost: Brief increase during COVID-19 pandemic
• Long-Term Viability: Short-lived

Development Hurdles

• Costs: Skyrocketed, far exceeding initial estimates
• Solution: Plan changed to build nearly 1,000 homes and close the golf course

A Wider Issue

This story is not unique. Across Oregon:

• Changing Regulations
• Land Use Disputes
• Lengthy and Expensive Development Process

Impact on Housing

• Rising Costs: Make it harder for people to find affordable places to live
• Significant Hurdles: Time and money required often exceed expectations