Sherwood voters expand local control over housing development policy
Sherwoodians will have more local control in land use decisions as the city grows, challenging new state laws
It looks like Sherwood’s city charter will see a couple of new amendments after a January 13 special election.
Early returns show Sherwood voters passing Measure 34-347 and Measure 34-348, both involving housing development policy and designed to give local residents more control in land use decisions — especially as the city plans the growth of its Sherwood West concept.
Although the official results won’t be certified until February 9, early returns show Measure 34-347 passing with about 94% of the vote, and Measure 34-348 passing with approximately 83% of the vote.
“This is not about being anti-growth. Sherwood is ready and willing to do our part to solve the regional housing crisis,” said Mayor Tim Rosener in a letter. “What this vote represents is our community’s determination to ensure that growth is consistent with our shared community values. We are the boots on the ground. We are the ones who live on these streets, send our children to these schools, and know the unique rhythm of our neighborhoods. We are better positioned than any bureaucrat in Salem to understand how to integrate new housing while maintaining the quality of life that makes Sherwood special.”
Measure 34-347 enshrines citizen involvement in land use decisions, including requiring neighborhood meetings, public hearings, and wider notices for certain land use applications. It is intended to ensure transparency and meaningful public participation in land use.
Measure 34-348 establishes city authority over annexation decisions, giving the city exclusive authority over annexation decisions independent of state laws. This means all cases of annexation — except health hazards — require the approval of Sherwood voters and are required to go through hearings, notices, and the democratic process.
This comes after the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 2003 in 2019, which requires cities with populations over 10,000 to study future housing needs and develop strategies to encourage housing development and production — and in Sherwood, this would mean adding 2,427 housing units over the next 20 years.
Also, Senate Bill 974 comes into effect on July 1, 2026, which limits public hearings for some types of housing developments as well as reduces the distance required for notifying neighbors. The bill is intended to help simplify the process to build more much-needed housing, faster.
“The message to the Capitol is simple. We need tools, not rules. We need partnership, not mandates,” Rosener said. “We need the flexibility to implement our community-led vision so that we can contribute to the housing solution in a way that actually works for Sherwood and is complimentary to the region.”
Sherwood’s measures take back some of that control, requiring developments to notify neighbors within 1,000 feet, not just 100.
“These Charter amendments are not about opposing growth; they are about ensuring Sherwood grows on our terms, through open dialogue, fair process, and shared vision. From Sherwood West to our town center, we've shown that collaborative planning works. But without strong home rule protections, that voice could be silenced,” Rosener said. “We are sending a simple but powerful message: Sherwood's destiny belongs to the people of Sherwood.”
Bibliography
https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/elections/special-election
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/SB974
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2019R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2003/Enrolled
Tim Rosener
Jules Rogers
