There are unintended consequences that need to be discussed regarding Question 2 on Portland’s city ballot.
A brief overview: If passed, Question 2 would allow only 25 percent of the residents and landowners within 500 feet of a proposed zoning change to block the change from occurring simply by signing a petition opposing the zoning change.
Depending on the surrounding neighborhood, 25 percent could be one or two or 20 people. Once that objection is filed, the zoning change would be vetoed. Is this the democratic process that we want?
Land use laws should be developed by a public process, with vigorous public debate and professional drafting.
Question 2 not only circumvents this process, but also opens the door for a slew of legal questions, leading to expensive and messy lawsuits.
Josh Fifield
Portland
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